Page 55 of Hate You, Maybe
Sayla
“Hiya, stranger!”
I prop my phone on the Adirondack chair across from me so I can talk to Loren hands-free. Nobody brings out the nonverbal gestures in me quite like she does. And I’ve got a whole lot of gesturing from the past day locked and loaded.
“I think this is the longest I’ve gone without seeing you in years,” she says. Her hair is down around her shoulders, looking extra red against the whiteboard background. “Please never go away again. Staff development is miserable without you.”
“So what’s happening there?”
“Oh, you know the usual.” She sighs. “Day two of endless lectures and presentations. Wilford just showed us the same video on sexual harassment we have to watch every year. We’re on a break now, so I’m hiding out in my classroom.” She puts on a pretend pout. “I hate that you’re not here.”
“I’m sorry.” I poke my lip out to match hers. “I thoughtmaybe hanging out with Bridger would’ve made things a little easier on you.”
“It does, and that’s the problem.” She wrinkles her nose. “I feel so guilty.”
“Why?”
“He’s just such a nice guy. And he makes me laugh. And …” Her voice trails off.
“And you have a fiancé.”
“Exactly,” she groans.
“Loren Cane.” I level her with a stare. “I’ve never met anyone more devoted and faithful to her man than you are. Foster trusts you. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“I’m not worried about Foster,” she says. “It’s Bridger.” She grimaces. “I don’t want to lead him on.”
“Ahh. I see.” I glance at the cabin door just to be sure it’s shut. “The thing is, you can’t control how anyone else feels, although you’re sweet to try. And that’s very on brand for you.”
“It’s pretty much programmed into my DNA.” She furrows her brow. “And now I sound all science-y. I’ve definitely been around Bridger too much.”
“Maybe you just need to keep your distance for a little while.”
“Hence me hiding in my classroom.” She presses a smile onto her face. “Anyway, enough about things here. How’s the retreat? Are you completely miserable, too?”
“Not as miserable as you might think,” I admit. “Especially since Dex and I got stuck sharing a cabin.”
Loren gapes, and her eyes are big blue beach balls. “I’m going to need so much more context than that.”
I fill her in on everything that’s happened since we arrived, beginning with the mix-up on my name tag and ending with me catching Dex fresh from the shower.
As much as I’m dying to talk about his tattoos, I skip thatpart because he asked me to. Finally, I peek at the cabin next door, then lower my voice to tell her all about the Victoria/Tori situation.
“Wait.” Loren snorts. “So that poor girl actually believes you and Dex are dating?”
“Shhh.” I glance at Tori’s cabin again.
“And he’s going along with the story?”
“Yup,” I say softly.
“Wow.” Loren nods, almost like she’s impressed. “So you two are really making progress there. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you might actually be getting friendly.”
“Ha! Let’s not go crazy.” I smirk. “My ultimate goal is still to beat the man in every way possible.”
“Uh-huh. And I totally believe you.” She wags her brows. “But you know, according to every romcom movie ever made, a fake relationship lands you on the roller coaster to a real love.”
“Bite your tongue!” I feign a glare because I know she’s only teasing. “If Colleen Kroft has taught me anything, it’s that romance equals catastrophe. You and Foster are the only exceptions.”
