Page 11 of Austen Persuaded

My mouth twitched at the corners. “Fine, I guess I’d better take a bite of something before it’s too late.” I grabbed a piece of toast, nibbling on the edge. What was the last thing I’d eaten? Had I eaten at all? I sighed. So much about the past few days was a blur. But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I’d intended to take only a few bites of toast, but I promptly devoured a whole slice. My appetite now stimulated, I gazed at the tray, deciding whether to have more toast or a boiled egg.

“Talk to us, Annie.”

My stomach sank at my oldest friend’s words, and my gaze as well as my hands dropped to my lap.

“Fine.”

I took a deep breath and made eye contact with each of them in turn. Worried frowns marred both of their faces, as though I was about to tell them someone had died.

I need to put a stop to this now, and stop being dramatic. Yes, I’ve had a crap week, but it happens.

Directness was always best, right?

The words spilled out. “So, I told Brandon I might be in love with him, Viv told me Brandon hit on her and we had a big fight, I haven’t heard from Brandon at all, my mom is awful, my ex—” I shook my head slightly. “Worst of all, I’ve been sick. I’m neversick. I hate it.”

They looked at me, wide-eyed.

“That’s it,” I said with forced calm. “Satisfied?” I reached out and picked up another piece of toast, proceeding to chew on the crust. “Oh, and who knows what’s going on with work. Ellen’s probably furious with me for whatever work assignments I’m late on. I haven’t bothered checking my messages from her.”

“Back up. I don’t care about Ellen.” Rafael’s eyes flashed with suspicion. “Brandon didwhat?”

“Well, according to Viviana, he came on to her at the party after I went home sick,” I said, laughing to show them it didn’t really bother me. “As if.”

When they said nothing, I examined their expressions more closely. Both of them looked shell-shocked, but also angry. No, not angry. Livid. Like they could kill someone.

“You don’t … you don’t believe her?” Rainn asked, his voice strained.

“Of course not,” I said, waving my hand flippantly. “Brandon comes across as flirty, but he’d never flat-out hit on my friend. You know that.”

Rafael opened and closed his mouth several times before finally speaking. His voice sounded different, pained. “Annie.”

“What?”

His fists were clenched, a rarity for him. “Believe her.”

“What?”

“You’ve known her how long?” Rainn asked, his voice tight. “Why would she lie?”

“I—she—” I sputtered. My eyes veered back and forth between my best friends.

“Don’t ask me how I know, Annie,” Rafael said slowly. “It’s not really something I can put into words. But I feel certain Viv’s telling the truth.”

There was a sharp intake of breath, and I thought it was from Rainn, but it might have been my own. I was faintly aware of a tremble overtaking me. I might have said, “No,” but I couldn’t be sure my voice was even audible.

“Annie, I know this sounds super blunt and … not what you want to hear,” Rafael said, his eyes pleading with mine when I dared to look at him. “I’m really sorry for that.”

“You deserve better, dammit!” Rainn’s fists were clenched. “I’m going to find him and beat his—”

Rafael put a calming hand on Rainn’s thick, tense forearm. “Settle down, muscle man. She probably doesn’t need that right now.”

“Not yet. Let me have my pity party first. Then you can beat him up for me. Or call for a duel.” When Rainn’s eyes widened, I added, “I’m kidding, of course. About both things. Violence is for the weak.”

Suitably chastised, Rainn looked down, trying to relax his fists. After a long moment, I said, “But what am I, if not weak? I mean, look at me.”

My heart sank as I flopped down sideways onto the pillow and turned my face into it. Somewhere inside, I knew they were right. He was a player, and I hadn’t seen it.

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