Page 20 of Restricted List

Rory

No, nothing happened

I just need to talk to you both

Without Harlow

Ella

I have so many questions right now

Lucia

And I think I’m about to finally get some answers

Rory

I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?

Meet me at Urban Grind

I’ll be there in about ten minutes

I take a sip of my chai latte while Lucia and Ella sit across the booth, looking over at me expectantly. I know I asked them to meet me here, but I’m still struggling to open up.

I’m only ever this awkward when it comes to Cole.

“Rory,” Lucia smirks, the first to break the silence. “You know we think you’re beautiful, but I don’t think you wanted us here just to stare at you.”

A small laugh escapes my lips. “Maybe I did. I could use a confidence boost.”

“If that were true,” Ella says, smiling softly, “you’d have Harlow here. She’s the best person for that.”

“So,” Lucia says in a knowing tone, “why are we here, Rory?”

I groan softly. “I’m pretty sure you already know, Luc.”

Ella lights up in excitement. “Ooh, is this a secret thing? Do I get to be part of the secret this time?!”

She will never let us forget that she was the last to know Harlow and Knox were faking their relationship for most of the summer before it turned real.

“I guess so,” I sigh, rubbing my hand awkwardly over the back of my neck. “This kind of involves… someone.”

“Someone with the last name Pierce?” Lucia smiles, taking a sip of her peppermint mocha.

I take a deep, steadying breath. “Yes.” I wring my hands out in front of me, fidgeting with my fingers as I continue. “And the feelings I have for that someone.”

“I fucking knew it!” Ella shouts, slapping the table as the rest of the coffee shop turns to look at us. She turns sheepish before lowering her voice. “Iknewyou had a thing for him!”

“It’s been so obvious,” Lucia adds. “I figured it out months ago.”

“I’m not really that obvious, am I?” I ask, surprised.

Ella smiles. “Rory, I figured it out more than two years ago.”

“What?!” I yell softly. “How?!”

“Because the only person you ever act awkward around is Cole. You’ve been awkward around him for years, but it’s really ramped up this year.”

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