Page 28 of Sparks Fly

I swallow against a small pang of disappointment when I realise he’s not following me–I didn’t know I wanted him to. What is wrong with me? I should be relieved he’s respecting my space–for once. I climb into my car and rest my forehead against the steering wheel. I am so annoyed at myself for letting Conrad get under my skin.

I start when my phone rings through the silent car. It’s Wren. “Hello,” I groan.

“Oh no.” Wren laughs. “That doesn’t sound good. What happened?”

“Are you home?” I need a distraction, and hopefully hanging out with my best friend will give me just that.

“Yep.”

“I’m coming over.”

“See you soon.”

I spend the drive trying to think about anything but Conrad, and how the version I saw today is warring with the bad guy image.

I fail miserably.

There’s no denying he was so good with the kids. Helpful, patient, attentive. There was no sign of the self-absorbed asshole… well, except when he wastryingto annoy me.Ugh!The guy definitely knows how to drive me insane.

I’m still a frantic mess when I pull into the carpark of Wren’s apartment building. I look in the rear-view mirror and give myself a little pep talk. “You’re better than this, Ivy Maree Willis! You’re not going to let a guy get the better of you. Pull yourself together. You had sex with him… so what? It meant nothing. Conrad means nothing.”

I groan. I am such an idiot. Why can’t I just switch off these feelings? I need help.

Blowing out a deep breath, I climb out of the car and walk to the building. I’m glad that my brother is still on his lifeguard shift, so I won’t run into him again. I’m still smarting from the comments he made earlier. I type in the security code and take the elevator to the third floor. When I get to Wren’s door, I barely have time to knock before it flies open. She pulls me in for a hug and my body sags into hers, all the tension of the day disappearing.

Once she’s brought me in and we’ve settled on the couch, she starts to talk. “What’s going on? I thought you were looking forward to the junior surf program. Were they that bad?”

I sigh. “No, they were great. I loved that part of my day.”

“Oh-kay. So…?”

I swallow against the lump of fear. I’m tired of keeping secrets, and I need my best friend. “Uh… it’s Conrad Foster.”

Her brow furrows. “I’m going to need more information.”

“He’s also helping out with the junior surf program.” I cover my face with my hands, unable to look at her as I spit out the ugly truth. “And I kind of had sex with him.”

Wren lets out a startled choking noise. “I’m sorry, youwhat? I don’t understand. You had sex with him? Today?”

“No. Not today. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas… and again on New Years’ Eve.”

“Holy shit,” she whispers.

“Yep.” I keep my head buried in my hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I know I’m a shit friend. I just… I don’t want Brady to find out. Or Harley. Or, fuck, any of our friends. Everyone is going to be so pissed at me.”

Wren reaches over and forces my hands away from my face. “Do you like him?”

“What? No! Not at all. Every time I see him I just want to punch him.”

She rolls her lip in between her teeth, studying me intently. “Are you sure? The other day at Patty’s–”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you then. I should have. But I really don’t like Conrad. It was just sex. Good sex,” I admit begrudgingly, “but there are no feelings involved whatsoever.”

Wren lets out a snort, and when I look over she’s visibly trying to bite back laughter–and failing miserably. I grab a cushion and swat her over the head.

“Stop it,” she wheezes, putting her arms up to block my continued attacks as she keeps laughing. “I’m sorry, Ives, but you’re totally hung up on him.”

“I’m not!” I whine, even though I know it’s true. “I can’t be. Wren, I’m serious. You know all the bad things Conrad has done. You should have seen Brady’s reaction today when he saw we were simplyworkingtogether. Imagine what he’d do if he found out we slept together. He’d never speak to me ever again.” Wren winces knowing I’m right. “It’s not going to happen again. I just need to find a way to forget him. I’m only thinking about him because he’s the first guy I’ve ever slept with who wasn’t, you know… Lachy.”

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