Page 89 of The Merger
Me: It was probably a prickly pear cactus. And the flat parts aren’t leaves, they’re stems. They’re actually water storage systems and basically solar panels to absorb sunlight. It’s an effective design.
Gannon: Fascinating.
I’m not sure if he means that or is being sarcastic.
“I’m back,” Tate says, sliding back in the booth.
I ignore him, staring at my text exchange with Gannon. I only get him for a few minutes a day, so Tate will have to wait.
Me: Fascinating cacti facts aside, I can’t wait to see you on Saturday.
Gannon: I dread this event.
Me: Why?
“Who are you texting?” Tate asks. “Don’t ignore me. I’m needy.”
“Give me a second.”
“If that’s Courtney, tell her to stop sending me nude selfies.”
I glance up at him. “Courtney’s not sending you nude selfies.”
He winks. “Just seeing if you were even listening to me.”
Asshole.
Gannon: I just don’t like giving speeches.
Me: Then why did you say yes?
Gannon: Good question. I’ve been wondering that myself.
Huh.
Gannon: Have a good day, Carys.
Me: You, too. Xo
“You okay?” Tate asks, stealing a fry from my plate.
A lump settles in my throat as I prepare to lie to my best friend. Tate and I share everything and have for so many years. But I can’t share this with him. He doesn’t need to know I’m sleeping with his brother and, if he found out, he’d ruin it for us. Not intentionally—Tate isn’t a cockblocker. He’d just put so much pressure on the situation that it would blow up before Gannon and I are ready for it to end.
“I’m fine,” I say. “Just dealing with something … prickly.”
My screen dims and I know I won’t hear from Gannon again today.
And that sucks.
Friday
Gannon
“There’s been a slight change of plans for tomorrow,” Kylie says through the speakerphone. “Your departure time has moved back two hours.”
I growl, pouring myself another drink. “What the fuck, Kylie?”
She laughs. “I knew this wasn’t going to go over well.”
