Page 196 of We Can't Be Friends

“Everyone hide. Shh.” I move away from them, using the exposed brick with no decor as my background. George giggles. “That means you too, George.”

I swipe right on the call.

Three-fourths of the screen is her hand with a ring on it. “I’m engaged!” There’s a cough, and the phone screen zooms out. “We’re engaged!”

“Shut up! Congrats! That ring is stunning. Good work, Liam.”

“Thank you, Chloe,” he says smugly but proudly, knowing my complement is wholehearted.

“Tell me everything.”

Emerson recounts the story. Ending with, “You need to come to London soon so we can start planning. Or I’ll come to Chicago! I don’t want to change your birthday plans next month for this.”

“Don’t worry about that right now; enjoy today! Tell me where you end up later so I can send a bottle of champagne.”

“Okay! I love you. Is Callum around?”

I glance around the room finding that he disappeared. Everyone shrugs.

“Bathroom, I think.”

I hang up with another congratulation. They call Beatrix and George next. Then Audrey.

Leaving the reserved space we have, I search for Cal.

Spotting him outside, I push open the front door. He’s smoking a cigarette, leaning against the brick exterior with ivy climbing up it. His hair is a mess like he’s been running his hand through it or pulling at the strands.

His head drops in defeat.

I find a spot next to him. “You smoke?”

“Party trick,” he says too casually, too carelessly. Cal takes a puff of the cigarette, pulling it from his lips with a puff of smoke.

“Everything okay?”

“Grand.”

“Did something happen with your mo—”

“No,” he snaps before I can finish my question.

“Why are you outside?”

“Keeping an eye out for them.”

“Wouldn’t that give it away?”

“Yeah, whatever, sure, Chloe.”

I tsk, taking in a lung full of crisp springtime London air. “Come inside?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever.” He puts out the cig and walks to the door, bypassing my outstretched hand.

“Cal, please stop.”

“What, Chloe?” he asks as he whirls around, dropping his hand from the door. He doesn’t allow his attention to find mine.

“Look at me.” I step into his space, taking hold of his chin to drag his heartbreakingly distant eyes to mine. “I love you.”

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