Page 69 of Official

“Really?” His eyebrows shoot into his hairline. “Why?”

I place both hands on my hips and try to keep my wild emotions still weighing on my chest at bay. “I thought you’d be happy, no matter the reason.”

“Of course I’m… happy.” He works his jaw back and forth, unconvincingly. “I just thought this was more of a long-term solution. I’ve kept plants alive longer than you’ve been ‘together,’ and we both know what a shitty green thumb I have.”

“Turns out, this charade didn’t have the effect I was hoping for,” I offer and give him a one-armed hug.

As I continue down the hall, the heartache makes its way through my entire body.

I also thought Xander and I could be a long-term…something.

When we were together, I felt a stirring in my chest that was never there before, and I envisioned us as more than a fling. I thought we could be the real deal if we gave ourselves a chance once we returned to LA.

How very wrong I was about everything.

I’ve made so many mistakes the last few weeks that I have whiplash, and I’m going to spend the rest of the summer—maybe even year—trying to clean up all the chaos I’ve created.

While nursing a broken heart.

Because no matter how right Xander might be about me, I’m right about him too. He’s taking the easy way out by blaming me for everything, but he’ll get what’s coming to him.

If I’m sure of anything, it’s that karma is a vengeful force of nature, and I’m counting on her to make it rain on Xander Logan.

When she’s finished with JasonDouche, that is.

As I disappear into my old room, I finally feel like I’m out of Xander’s clutches. I’m alone here without his piercing gaze following me like it’s trying to tell me something that he refuses.

Either way, I have to be done with him.

The door bursts open, and Val rushes in. “What did the bastard have to say?”

“Nothing I’d like to repeat.” I grab my purse and loop my arm through hers. “Did you say something about vodka at my place?”

“Ready to drown in it whenever you are.” She smiles and leans into me as we make our way out to say goodbye to my parents, who slur their dismay.

And we head to my house to strategize.

Given her career, Val prioritizes her brand and social media presence, and she’s just the person to help me wiggle my way out of the hole I’m in.

She’s also the distraction I need to keep myself from thinking about Xander and clinging to the fond memories of Maui.

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