Page 14 of I Wish I Would've Warned You

I blink. “What?”

He leans back in his chair. “Your virginity. Or do I have to pretend we never met?”

My mouth opens, then shuts. The heat in my face spreads down my neck.

“That’s none of your business.”

“That’s not a no.”

“Do you talk to all your future stepsisters like this?”

“I don’t have any others.”

I spin on my heel and slam the doors shut, locking them fast.

There’s no way this is really happening.

5

COLE

Idraw my drapes shut to block out any glimpses of my new floor mate. Then I set up an easel against the wall and tear off the first online commission request from today:

I want you to paint a pic of me lying on my back in the ocean against the tide with some starfish and turtles. Can you make me look thinner plz? And then can you make my eyebrows look less bushy and make my swimsuit black instead of pink? Thanx!

I mutter a curse under my breath.

The price of being an artist is painting other people’s fantasies until I can afford to create my own. That—and surviving my father one more goddamn summer.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I don’t move. I prep my mixing bowls instead.

“Cole?” My dad steps in, shutting the door behind him. “I know you heard me knocking.”

“I did.”

“So, why didn’t you answer?”

“I was going to call you later.”

“What I want,” he says, narrowing his eyes, “is for you to come down to the garden and have dinner with me and everyone else.”

“Not happening.”

“Cole—”

“We made a deal,” I cut him off. “One summer of pretending to play your perfect son in exchange for a lifetime of bullshit and what you pulled last fall. I show up to your fake events, smile for your fake friends, and in return, you leave me the hell alone.”

He says nothing. Just stands there like he’s got something to say, but knows it won’t hold weight.

“You can close the door on your way out,” I say. “Thanks.”

“It would mean a lot to me if you came to dinner.”

“Still not an incentive.”

“I like Heather,” he says. “It’s serious.”

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