Chapter 3
Once I worked through it all, everything suddenly felt clearer.
It wasn’t the end of the world
Mom was right–people have to learn to grow up on their own eventually
As for that kiss… I’d just pretend a stray dog had nipped me on the street.
I’d just splashed cold water on my face to calm down when Tanner’s video call came through. My mind hesitated, but my fingers hit accept out of pure habit.
“Drielle, where the hell are you?”
“Everyone’s here waiting to eat, and you’re holding us up. Since when did you become such a diva?”
After graduation. Tanner and his close friends had made a pact to take turns hosting dinner parties every day to celebrate and
unwind.
Today was Tanner’s turn to treat everyone.
But I had 1
desire to go anymore.
“I’m not coming. You guys go ahead and eat…”
Before I could finish, a deliberately sweet, breathy voice drifted from somewhere near Tanner: Tanner, if Drielle doesn’t want to come, maybe she’s upset that I’m crashing your little group hangout?
Before Tanner could respond, several guys rushed to reassure her: “Are you kidding? Having the campus queen grace us with her presence? We’re honored.”
“Drielle’s just petry like that–gets all worked up whenever any girl gets too close to Tanner. We’re used to it“]
Harper’s profile slipped into Tanner’s camera frame, positioned impossibly close to him.
She spoke in that understanding whisper:
“Tanner, maybe I should just leave. I don’t want to put you in an awkward position…”
Tanner’s expression darkened instantly. He turned and reached out to stop her. “Harper, don’t go anywhere.“[
“I don’t know what’s gotten into Drielle today, but if she doesn’t want to come, that’s her loss.”
“We’re not waiting. Let’s eat.“]
His words were ice–cold, directed straight at me. Without waiting for my response, he ended the call
Fury blazed through my chest. I immediately blocked lus number
In all our years together, this was the first time I’d ever blocked him after a fight.
And once again, it was all because of Harper Sullivan
