Page 47 of Guava Flavored Lies

CHAPTER23

Being hungover was bad.Being hungover while outside at noon in Miami in May was worse. Being all of those things plus working a twelve hour shift next to Lauren was inhumane.

Sylvie did her best to battle her mortification while she worked. It was a bout of momentary insanity triggered by stress, she told herself. She hadn’t known why she’d said all those things to Lauren. It’s not like she meant it. Her queasy stomach gurgled at the lie.

For hours, Sylvie relished being busy. Too busy to notice Lauren trying to talk to her. Well, busy enough that she could pretend not to notice her, which was good enough.

Long after the sun had set, the crowd thinned and the vendors started the nightly ritual of packing up. Sylvie tied her hair into a stubby little ponytail and started cleaning her booth.

Sylvie was almost finished and kneeling in the sand to unplug her machines, when Lauren’s voice disturbed her peace.

“Try this,” Lauren said.

Sylvie seriously considered ignoring her, but decided it was better to act like the night before had never happened. Better to treat her with the same indifference she always did. She brushed the sand off her knees before turning around.

Lauren, her long, brown hair in waves, was looking at her with her dimpled smile set to stun. “You’re going to love it,” she said, holding out a tiny plate.

Dubiously, Sylvie eyed the small, open-faced sandwich. “I’m fine but thanks.” She turned back to the task of cleaning up, her hands trembling just a little.

Behind her, something creaked. She turned again to find Lauren sitting on one of her empty tables, her long, bare legs dangling over the edge.

“You know we’re going to have to talk about this right?” Lauren took a bite of the small sandwich.

Sylvie’s heart trotted up her throat, making her pulse beat under her tongue. “About the pretentious capers on your sandwich?”

Lauren grinned. “What if we just called it quits on this whole rivalry thing?” She slid off the table, landing softly in Sylvie’s territory. “What if we started over?” With the small paper plate in one hand, she extended the other. “Hi, my name is Lauren. Some people call me Lou. I’m a Cancer and I’ve been seriously considering adopting a dog lately.”

Sylvie frantically resisted the urge to smile. “That only works in movies, Lauren. Don’t be ridiculous. We can’t just erase all the history between us.”

Guilt punched her sore stomach. How would she ever tell her that their history was built on a lie? Should she? It was impossible to take a breath, to get any perspective.

Undeterred, Lauren inched closer, her dark eyes shining with slivers of auburn and gold. “We’re not teenagers anymore, Syl. We can do whatever the hell we want. If we want to put an end to this nonsense that has totally spiraled out of control. . . we can.”

The concept sounded so simple tumbling out of Lauren’s full lips. The lips Sylvie couldn’t stop staring at as she stopped a foot away from her.

“Try something new.” Lauren held up the half-eaten slice of baguette covered in a dark mousse, capers, and a sprinkling of herbs.

It was the most emotionally loaded bite of food she’d ever been presented. Sylvie stared at the offering. What was she agreeing to if she took it? How binding was an agreement-by-canapé?

“Will you shut up about the stupid thing if I try it?”

“I promise.”

With a roll of her eyes, Sylvie snatched the food off the plate and popped it in her mouth. Prepared to hate it, she paused as the rich, savory flavor coated her taste buds.

Damn that’s good, she thought but didn’t say.

“Are you happy now?” Sylvie wiped the corner of her mouth, wishing there was more than just one bite.

Lauren cocked her head to the side, her gaze peeling away any remaining calm in Sylvie’s body.

“I had a crush on you too, Syl. Just in case that wasn’t obvious to you then.” Her attention dropped to Sylvie’s lips. “If it’s not obvious to you now.”

“Very funny,” Sylvie snapped, her heart racing so hard it was interrupting her thoughts. Of course Lauren was going to exploit her moment of weakness. Use it against her.

Lauren’s dark eyebrows knitted together. “No more games,” she said softly, her words penetrating Sylvie’s chest.

“I don’t believe you,” Sylvie replied simply, the heavy truth sliding off her shoulders.

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