Page 37 of Legal

I snatched the bottle of water before the kid could impress her by opening it. I didn’t want to be wearing it all over me. Unfortunately, I guess it’s true that you attract what you don’t want.

I twisted off the cap, turned around, and plowed straight into Chase.

“Wow, you’ve sure been swearing a lot lately. That’s usually my department.”

“Just explain to me what the fuck is going on, Perry.”

I yanked her down with me onto the blanket, and now that it was just the two of us, I needed her to start explaining. I might have pulled her all the way over by her ear; I couldn’t remember. My head was swimming.

Perry looked guilty as hell. “Well….”

“You can start by telling me why the fuck Chase thought I was meeting him here.”

After colliding with all the chiseled ripples, I thought I was going to die right there. Chase, on the other hand, acted as if it was the most natural thing in the world. As if us being in the same frickin’ park together at the same frickin’ time was planned. He introduced me to his two roommates before they went to get a beer, and I took that chance to excuse us for a moment.

She pinched her thumb and index finger together. “I may have a teensy, weensy confession to make.”

I dropped my head in my hands. I was spinning, and it had nothing to do with the tequila.The tequila.I jerked up. “Youweretrying to get me drunk!”

“I was not. I was trying to lower your inhibitions. There’s a difference.” I watched Stephen shoot around the football with our friends. At least he was occupied. I couldn’t believe this was happening. “Besides, even if you were drunk, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve known you a long time, and you wouldn’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do and blame it on alcohol. Now, what youmightdo is loosen up enough to do something you reeeally want to do.” She waggled her finger at me. “Remember that tonight.”

I placed my palms over my eyes and rubbed hard. My head was growing murkier by the second. I felt something drop into my lap. I moved my hands away and saw my phone sitting there.

“Take a look.”

“Perry, what did you do?”

“Just look at your texts.”

Fuck. The first thing I noticed was a missed call at 4:32. Chase. I tabbed over to my texts and saw one from him shortly after that:

Can I see you tonight?

Immediately after:Not a date.

And then….

“Goddammit, Perry. How in the hell is there a reply from me when I didn’t reply?”

“Um….”

I took a deep breath and read:We’re going to Candle Park around 7. Meet you?

I’ll be there,he answered.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Where did I even start? She pointed at the screen. “See, I even said ‘we’re going’ instead of ‘I’m going’ to make it a little ambiguous. I didn’t outright lie and say it was from you.”

“Whywouldn’the think it was from me? It was sent from my fucking phone!” I fell back on the blanket and crossed my arms over my face.

I felt her beside me. “I’m sorry, Jills, but I thought this was one of those times where it was better to act first and explain later, so please let me explain.” She paused, and when I didn’t say anything, she continued. “Chase called while you were outside, and I was just going to ignore it. I swear. But then he texted, and it was right there for me to see… I was going to tell you, but then I knew how stubborn… er, adamant you were about never seeing him again. I didn’t want you to mess things up. I know you like him, and I want you to be happy, and I‘m sure that if you keep getting to know him better, you’ll start seeing past the age difference.”

I groaned. I wished I didn’t love her so much so I could hate her.

She twirled my hair around in her fingers. “Again, I’m so sorry, Jills. I was only doing it for you, but you’re really confusing. I don’t always know exactly what to do. You get pissed off when I bring you two together and pissed off when I break you two apart.”

I dropped my arms and turned toward her, my insides swirling. “I can tell you exactly what to do: Stop meddling. Please. I’m begging you here, Perry. Do. Not. Meddle. No more chance meetings. No more pretending to be me. No more anything having to do with Chase.”

She crossed her heart. “I won’t. I swear on our friendship. I’m done now. The rest is up to you.”

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