Page 63 of The Love Syllabus

“Oh, okay. They’re right here. Ari aced her math exam and—”

“Ms. Kind, please. I’d much rather speak to them.”

Rude. Harsh. Hurtful.

And the way he saidMs. Kind, like I was a stranger, like last night was a fever dream he was desperate to forget, sent a hot ache through my chest.

It made me feel how I used to feel years ago. Shameful. Disgusting. Unworthy.

Why do I keep doing this? Why do I keep caring about men who are either too cruel to care about anyone but themselves or too emotionally inept to care about me the way I deserve?

I need to stop this before it breaks me. I need to protect myself. Because Lord knows that though I’m stronger than I used to be, it’s too damn easy to slip back into old patterns disguised as something new. Too damn easy to mistake chemistry for care. Too damn easy to let a man’s hot-and-cold emotions dictate how I feel about myself. Too damn easy to lose myself again.

If Victor Grimes wants to act like last night was a mistake, then I’ll make damn sure he never gets the chance to make it again.

“That’s right, girl! Fuck his head up with this sexy dress you’re wearing! That man doesn’t even deserve to look your way.” Serena says while curling my hair.

Kiera chimes in. “Heck, yeah! You should definitely quit, Kerry. I could’ve sworn Vic was a great guy after the Beach Bum Day Parade, but hell no! Not anymore. He practically took your virginity last night and ghosted you!”

Serena and Kiera burst into laughter, but I just roll my eyes, shaking my head at their dramatics.

“I wasnota virgin,” I huff, shifting in my seat as Serena twists another section of my hair around the curling iron.

“Girl, you might as well have been!” Serena tuts, adjusting a curl. “Cory ain’tnevermade your ass come! And the way you described it? The shaking, the moaning, the out-of-body experience? With barely a touch? That man snatched your soul and then had the audacity to regret it? Oh, hell no.”

Kiera tuts, pointing at me with her wine glass. “Exactly. That’s why you’re about to step out looking likethis. Give him something to regret for real.”

I smirk at my reflection, smoothing down the sleek, fitted dress hugging every curve in all the right places. It’s deep red, and I look bold, confident, and irresistible.The off-the-shoulder neckline teases my bare skin, while the sculpted rosettes along the hem add just the right amount of drama.

The girls put the final touches on my hair and makeup, like I’m about to step onto a runway instead of having a faux date slash business dinner with Vic.

A few minutes later, I hear a rumbling entrance through the front door.

“Grandma’s here!” Ms. Vicky belts out, her voice booming through the house.

“Vicky’s here? I thought Hud was coming.” I shrug.

Before I can even react, Serena perks up. “Hudson? Isn’t that the brother you were telling us about?”

I nod absently, barely paying attention, too busy bracing myself.

Kiera throws her hands in the air. “There’s the answer to Vic’s games. Make him jealous.”

Serena snickers. “That’ll be the ultimate get back for how he treated you.”

I firmly shake my head. “Heck no! I’m not messy, okay? The Grimes brothers have their fair share of drama already, and I am not about to get in the middle of it. I wanna keep my job. So, my sole focus is on Syd and Ari.”

My girls relent, finally dropping the topic when we exit my room to mingle with the Grimes family. Syd and Ari are already wrapped up in their grandmother’s arms, but the moment they spot me, their eyes immediately fix on me.

Ari gasps, her little hands flying to her mouth. “Oh my gosh, Ms. Kind. You look so pretty for your date with Daddy!”

I nearly choke on air, her cuteness causing everyone to giggle but also completely catching me off guard.

“Oh, Ari, it isn’t a date,” I manage, clearing my throat, willing my face to cool. “I’m just accompanying your dad to a business dinner.”

Syd, as sassy as ever, plants a hand on her hip and levels me with a knowing look. “That doesn’t look like a business dress.”

Serena cackles, and I open my mouth to defend myself because how dare this child be so accurate but before I can, Ms. Vicky steps in, eyes twinkling as she pulls me into a tight hug.

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