Page 65 of Waiting Forever
“I was mad, Nathan.” She glares at me. “Everything was changing, and your cousin moved in and you didn’t want to party anymore.”
“I didn’t want to party before Kensi moved in. I still don’t. Nothing’s changed.”
“Except for your feelings toward me, obviously.” She stands and paces the area between the furniture and the pool. “Is she the reason why you haven’t called me?” She gestures to the house. “Don’t answer that. I know she is. Everything was fine until she got here.”
“Everything wasn’t fine, and you know it. All we did was disagree and fight.” I stand and sneak a glance toward the French doors to make sure Kensington isn’t watching us from inside the house. She doesn’t need to witness this. Thankfully, I don’t see her.
“You’re right,” Harper says to my surprise. “It’s hard to realize the truth, and even harder to accept it.”
“Okay.” I narrow my gaze. What’s she up to?
She lowers onto the couch again, in the same spot as before. “I talked to my old friend, Lowell. The one who moved to Paris and who Ainsley and I were good friends with in high school. I’m sure I’ve mention him before. Anyway, he said I was always jealous of Ainsley. She was the opposite of me, less high-maintenance, and he said, I secretly wished I were more like her. At first, I was offended. But the more I thought about it, the more his comment made sense.”
I tilt my head in confusion. “This is about Ainsley?”
“No,” she huffs. “She’s an example. She represented things that I’m not, that I couldn’t be, and I was jealous. That’s why I acted the way I did to her. Lowell said I owe her an apology—which I disagree with, since she left me—and that I overreact when I feel threatened, and that I’m not a good person.” She drags in a deep breath. “Can you believe that?”
I laugh. “Yeah. I can. And this Lowell sounds like an all-right guy. It’s good you’re realizing this now. You can use it to better yourself.”
Her face brightens in a way I don’t like. “I’m glad you think so. Because I want you to help me.”
“Help you?” I tense. “I don’t see how I could help you, and I don’t think it’s a good idea. You and I had our moment, and it’s past. We want different things. It’s okay, too.”
Her head lowers and it sounds like she sniffles. I’m not sure though. I’ve never seen her cry.
“Nathan, please. Now that I’m having this epiphany and all this constructive feedback, I need your help. What if I become a bitch again?”
“People don’t change that quickly. The important thing is you want to.”
“I don’t understand why we can’t give us more time?” she pleads with glossy eyes.
I glance away, confused as fuck. Is she playing me or is she for real? Knowing Harper, she could be using this to get me back. “It’s just not a good time for me with anyone. I’m moving out of the house. I’ve decided to do it.”
“And Kensington? Is she moving with you?”
“Yeah. She’s cool with it.” I make a nonchalant shrug. Can’t let her think Kensi means what she doesto me. “Listen, I have work to finish.”
“I thought you were sleeping?” She takes in my face. “Why are your cheeks flushed?”
“They’re not.” I know they’re not. I’m a better liar than that. She’s trying to bust me.
I push back my bangs, giving her a better view to my not-flushed face.
She shakes her head. “I know just-fucked hair on you. I think you were doing more than sleeping.”She stares through the French doors into the house. “Who’s in there? Who are you cheating on me with?” She brings her gaze back to me.
“No one. You’re crazy. Just-fucked hair and bedhead look the same.”
She folds her arms under her big breasts. “Let me in then, so I can see for myself.”
“There’s no one inside.” I keep my cool. Being friends with Sebastian trained me well in this area.
“Oh. So Kensington isn’t in there?” She inches closer to the doors.
“She is, but she doesn’t count.”
“Right. Because she’s just your cousin.” Her eyes narrow. “Something isn’t right here. I know what sex smells like on you—I can smell it from here. I’m not an idiot. I’ll find out who you’re banging behind my back, and I’ll make her sorry.”
I stand taller and stare her down. “I thought you said you wanted to change?”
