Page 5 of Austen Persuaded

But he seemed happy too, didn’t he? He said he was the luckiest guy! Suh-woon.

He probably just needed time to process this. Maybe he’d never heard the L-word from a girl, or never even said it!Maybe I was his first. That wasn’t a bad thing.

Regardless, why …whydid I choose this moment to make the confession?

Am I trying to push aside thoughts about something, someone else?

Trying to forget the past?

No, shut up, shut up, intrusive thoughts!

Was I capable of thinking clearly about anything right now? I sighed, sinking back under the covers.

I was just settling onto the couch with some microwaved soup when I heard a knock at the apartment door.

My heart raced. Had Brandon returned?

I imagined a grand scene with him waltzing into the room dramatically, announcing he’d forgotten to declare that he too was in love with me. I shook my head, smiling half-heartedly.

He probably just forgot his phone or something.

My eyes swept the area as I walked to the door to unlock it. Slowly.I’d make him wait, just as he was making me wait, I thought with a slight twist of my lips.

But when I finally opened the door, my face fell. Viviana stared back at me, taking in my gross sick-person look, no doubt. I greeted her, trying not to sound too disappointed, and returned to the couch while motioning for Viviana to follow.

“That bad, huh?” Viviana said, sitting on a nearby chair.

“Ya–yeah, I guess so,” I tried to say through coughs. “I’m so embarrassed. This is so not me. I never get sick. Never.”

Viviana nodded, her brows drawn together in pity. “That’s true. Your immune system is legendary.”

Not anymore, I thought, taking a sip of soup. For some reason, I was glad Viviana hadn’t seen me at myworstworst, which was apparently last night or earlier today when I was heavily medicated.

“I’m glad to see I wasn’t the first to bring you soup. Have Rafael and Rainn been taking good care of you?”

“Well, they’re men, so not particularly. But they try, or at least they did before they had to go to the gym.” I rolled my eyes. In truth, though, I’d been touched by their attentiveness, and not at all surprised. They were my best friends for a reason.

“They mean well.”

“It had to be this week, didn’t it?” I sighed, only to be overcome by a sneezing fit.

Viviana hid a smile, picking up some tissues from the floor.

“Brandon came by with some sick-person supplies. You just missed him—he came by just 10 minutes ago, maybe 15, I don’t know. Or maybe an hour. Did you know that time is all warped when a person is sick?”

“You’re lucky to have not experienced sick brain much in your life.” Then she frowned and straightened. “Brandon was just here a bit ago? And he didn’t stay and take care of you?”

I yawned and shook my head. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t let him,” I said, stretching the truth. “I didn’t even want him to come over at all—he doesn’t need to get sick from me, and he doesn’t need to see me like this. When have I ever looked worse? Besides, he had an important work thing come up last night after the party, and it’s been occupying all his time apparently.” I eyed Viviana, who seemedto be watching me carefully, a bit warily.Something’s up.“Did he mention the work thing to you last night? Oh, and how did last night go with Gregory?”

“He didn’t mention … that.”

I noted Viviana’s strange pause but shrugged. If Viviana had something to say or ask, she would. “Oh, well, how was the party anyway?” I asked.

“It was fine,” she said. She seemed ready to say more but hesitated.

I didn’t have the patience tonight. “Viv? I may be sick, but I’m not blind. Did something happen with you and Gregory?”

My impatience increased as my question was met with silence from Viviana and averted eyes. Finally, my friend spoke. “Annie, I don’t know how to say this.”

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