All three of them swivel to me, and my stomach dips into my toes.
I am so dead.
9
After giving Cal some bull excuse about having his car detailed as a thank you for letting me borrow it, I hurry into the restroom. Genevieve is standing in front of the mirror, bracing herself on the white marble counter with outstretched hands. Rings glitter on her long, slender fingers. Her gingerbread brown hair hangs in waves that have fallen forward over her shoulders.
I never lie to Genevieve, but today I must. I can’t tell her about what happened with Professor Rook, because then she’ll be complicit. It’s bad enough that Ricardo knows, and Kenneth suspects what I’ve done. Not Genevieve too. And I can’t tell her that I’m faking it, because that would be far too embarrassing.
I square my shoulders, hoping I’m a good enough liar to pull this off. Stepping up beside her, I push her hair back over her shoulder. “Gen? Please let me explain.”
Genevieve takes a couple of deep breaths and turns to me, her arms crossing over her chest. “Explain, then, s’il vous plait.” The pain in her eyes kills me. I thought she was over Ricardo, since she’s been spending time with Kita Ryou, but maybe I was wrong.
Licking my lips, I start weaving my web of lies. “You know how adamant I was last semester that Adrienne should stay away from Ricardo. I really did hate him. Or I thought I did.” I give a huff. “When he started hanging out with us, I realized he wasn’t so bad, but I’d been so vocal about hating him that I didn’t know how to tell you. Do you remember late last semester, when we were supposed to go to Coco. Zelda. Gloria. Louise. and Kenneth bailed on me? Well, Ricardo and I danced together some that night, and we started talking. It kind of progressed from there. If you still have feelings for him, I’ll break up with him.” Please tell me to break up with him.
It would be the shortest fake relationship in history. But then I wouldn’t have a buffer between me and Kenneth. The agony of my situation makes my fingers curl inward against my palms.
Genevieve runs her fingers under her eyes, wiping away hints of moisture. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. You have no idea how much that hurts. We’re best friends, Charlotte, and you’re dating my ex-boyfriend? What’s worse, I have to find out about it in front of the entire school? That’s not right.”
I bob my head, ignoring the fact that Genevieve hasn’t denied having lingering feelings for Ricardo. “You’re right, absolutely. I apologize for not telling you sooner. Next time something big happens, you’ll be the first to know.” Another lie.
She gives me half a smile. “Good.”
Time to steer the conversation away from Ricardo. “So, how’re things going with Ryou?”
She laughs at my half smile. “He’s really sweet. I think I could like him, but I want to take it slow. After, you know.”
I do know. Genevieve’s whirlwind romance with Ricardo left her with whiplash, and probably some trust issues. I’m not at all surprised that she’s taking it slow with her new guy.
Genevieve throws her arms around me and hugs me tight. “I know hugs aren’t your favorite, but…”
I wrap my arms around her too. “It’s okay. I needed this.” It’s true. I don’t often initiate physical affection with anyone, but having my best friend’s arms around me right now feels so good. It’s steadying. Encouraging. A reminder that even though I did something unforgivable, I’m still human. Lovable. Worthy.
When we step out of the bathroom, hallway traffic has recommenced. Everyone is streaming into the eatery for breakfast, which smells amazing. The warm, heady scent of sizzling bacon and eggs filters through the air, accompanied by whiffs of cinnamon and maple syrup. Gen and I rejoin our friends, and merge into the flow of bodies.
Ryou is standing in the entrance to the eatery, and falls into step beside Genevieve. “You look pretty today,” he whispers in her ear.
Shyly, she smiles, thanking him.
Mikhail and Adrienne lead the way to our table, which is getting a little small for all of us. Mikhail nods to Ricardo, and they push two of the long tables together so we can all fit.
Cal ducks toward me. “You seriously took my car to be detailed?”
“Yep,” I answer, too brightly.
He laughs. “That’s cool. Thanks.” He and Asif meander toward the French toast station.
Genevieve, Ryou, and Adrienne have also disappeared.
I wrap my fingers around Ricardo’s arm and yank him toward me. “Do you think Mo could finish Cal’s car today instead of tomorrow? If I can’t get that car back here, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
Ricardo’s eyes shine as he shakes his head. “And here I thought you were going to seal our newly minted relationship with a kiss.” He puts his hands on my arms, searing my skin.
“There is no conceivable circumstance in which I’m kissing you.”
“That wasn’t always the case.”
A memory attempts to push to the forefront of my mind, but I shove it back. “We’re not talking about that right now.”
Ricardo’s thumbs move in slow circles over my skin, riling me up. Is he trying to provoke me?
He’s my fake boyfriend, I remind myself. Act like it. I smile up at him, speaking through my teeth. “You’ll come with me over there after school, right?” I hit him with my most charming smile at full wattage. It almost always gets me what I want.
Ricardo blinks. “Of course. We’ll go right after class, and we’ll bring Cal’s car back. Don’t worry. Now, have a seat, mon coeur. Allow me to get you breakfast.” He grins when I squirm at the nickname.
“Don’t call me that,” I whisper. “And I can get my own breakfast.” I try to break away from him, but Ricardo’s fingers put the slightest pressure on my upper arms, gently holding me back.
Leaning in, he presses a quick kiss to my cheek. “Sit down. How will it look if I don’t help you get your food? You can’t tell me you didn’t make Kenneth wait on you hand and foot. We have to make this look good.” He relinquishes my arms before pulling out my chair.
My eyes narrow, but I take the seat anyway. “I did not boss Kenneth around.” I absolutely did. “Besides, what’s in it for you?”
Ricardo’s head cants to one side. “Be cool, okay? My mom is here. Don’t look.”
I go still, squelching the urge to whirl around in the direction of Ricardo’s glance. Tension hums through him as he helps me slide my chair in. He gives my ponytail a light tug. “I’ll be right back.”
Smoothing down my hair, I take out my phone for something to do, not at all enjoying the stares I’m getting from everyone around me. This is so awkward. It was a truly horrendous idea to pretend to date Ricardo. What was I thinking, agreeing to this?
The next chair scrapes as it’s dragged out from underneath the table, and Gul sits down. Her expression cannot be described as anything but predatory when she levels her dark brown eyes at me. “So, you and Ricardo, huh? Spill.” She rests her chin in her hands and stares at me intently.
Shaking my head, I say, “I am not spilling anything to you. Besides, aren’t you too preoccupied spreading rumors about Professor Rook’s death?”