Page 31 of The Story of Us
The bullshit attempt at a brush-off set fire to her disappointment, twisting the worry that had been simmering through the whole session into anger. “Because writers are known for being bad with words.”
“It’s complicated.” Nate closed his car boot with a thump.
“It’s really not.” It certainly hadn’t been when he’d let his guard down and encouraged her to do the same thing.
“I don’t want to jeopardise our friendship.”
Eloise shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “And I don’t want to be friends with someone who isn’t going to tell me the truth.”
“That’s not what’s happening here.”
Eloise snorted, which would’ve normally embarrassed the hell out of her, but right now? It was a snort of empowerment. A snort of sisterhood for every woman who had ever been given a ridiculous excuse from a man too scared to admit the truth. Joanie would’ve been proud.Joanie.Her grandmother’s advice made perfect sense now.
“I have to go,” she muttered, not bothering to even look at him.
“Where’s your car?”
“It’s at work.” All her earlier visions of Nate giving her a lift back, stealing a few kisses as he finally officially asked her out, were nothing but a distant memory.
“I’ll drive you back.”
Her laugh was bitter and dry. “I’ll walk.”
“But what about?—”
“No.”
The muscles in his jaw clenched. “Text me when you get there? Please,” he added when she frowned, biting her lip to stop herself from asking why he was pretending to care.
“Just because I can’t …” His gaze shifted to the ground. “I still want us to stay friends.”
That was the worst f-word in the world.
“I’ve got to go.” Eloise had an exchange to apply for.
11
Sweat slid between Eloise’s breasts, and she didn’t even try to smother her loud huff. The dance studio’s heater had gone rogue, giving the room a sub-tropical feel, and she was not in the mood for this bullshit today.
“Let’s get started. We’ll go over the steps slowly until the heat issue is resolved.” The instructor fanned himself.
From the corner of her eye, Eloise watched as Bianca tried to engage Nate in conversation, but he was sat back against the wall, a stony slant to his features. He didn’t even blink when Bianca whipped off her long-sleeve workout top leaving her in a leopard print sports bra.
“Feel free to do the same,” Ryan said, winking at Eloise.
She busied herself, replaiting her long hair so it wouldn’t stick to the back of her neck.
“I’ve been thinking,” Ryan said as she placed her hand in his. “We should get together a few times a week and practice.”
Or Charlie and Sera could succumb to the fact that their choreographed dance plan was a dud.
“Maybe.” She blew at the strands of hair that had already escaped her braid. She was going to be a sweaty, grumpy mess in no time.
“I never realised how much we have in common.” Ryan started guiding her around the dance floor.
Eloise was pretty sure the only thing they had in common was Charlie, but she did her best to smile politely.
“I mean, our jobs are pretty similar.”
