005

Chapter 5

Lila’s POV

“I got into college and you’re buying me a chipotle bowl?” I grumbled, biting into my food.  

“I promised you a party tomorrow, didn’t I? And you’re the one who insisted on eating here tonight,” Ethan said.  

I ignored him and focused on the food.  

Roman sat across from us, elbows on the table, eating slowly and smiling as he watched us bicker. His overgrown brown hair fell slightly into his eyes, and I hated the way my stomach flipped every time he looked up.  

Chipotle at Berry’s had been a summer tradition for as long as I could remember, and like always the food still hit the same.  

“I’m glad you’re here,” Ethan said to him, pointing his fork across the table. “I can’t handle her anymore. Her mouth only gets sharper the older she gets.”  

I rolled my eyes at my brother and shoved another bite into my mouth.  

“Don’t blame me for speaking the truth,” I muttered. “You lost the bet and you’re buying me food. You’re so cheap, Ethan.”  

Ethan had bet that I wouldn’t get into Brown. It was his twisted way of encouraging me to study. He’d also promised that if I somehow got in, he’d buy me something I loved. His big idea turned out to be dinner.  

Roman chuckled softly, and his eyes landed on me. I dropped my gaze quickly, swallowing hard. It had become too obvious that I couldn’t stay rational around him.  

I couldn’t trust my thoughts or my body anymore—not when he was near. All I could think about was that kiss at the beach, the way his body had pressed against mine, the hard length of him against my stomach, the heat that stole my breath.  

I shouldn’t have been thinking about any of that here, at Berry’s, in the middle of dinner with my brother. But the memory refused to leave.  

“Roman!”  

The sound of her voice made me go rigid.  

We all turned at once. Serena—the queen bee herself—was in Pawleys for the summer.  

She strolled toward us like the restaurant was her personal runway, glossy hair swinging, lips painted a perfect pink. She looked at Roman first, then Ethan, glossing right over me like I didn’t exist.  

“You’re in town?” she smiled widely. “Can I sit here?”  

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. Sit here? At *our* table?  

This was our summer tradition. Me, Roman, and Ethan.  

“Yeah, of course,” Roman said, and she slid into the booth right next to him, looking entirely too satisfied.  

“Hi, Ethan,” she said casually. Her eyes slid to me.  

“And… is that Lila? Snotty-nose Lila?”  

My face burned. I nodded stiffly and looked away.  

“You look…” She tilted her head, studying me slowly. “Human now.”  

Human? Did I look like an animal before?  

She turned her entire body toward Roman.  

“You didn’t tell me you were coming back,” she said, brushing her hand against his arm.  

I clenched my fork so hard my knuckles went white. Ethan passed me a glass of water and I gulped it down.  

Serena and Roman had always had something between them. Every summer they would flirt, hook up, then stop talking—only to circle back the next year like nothing had ever happened.  

They had broken up that summer five years ago… or so I thought.  

But the way she leaned into him and the way he smiled made me wonder if they had ever really ended.  

She had a claim on him, and I hated it.  

Her eyes landed on the paper Ethan had tossed carelessly on the table earlier—the list of things he still needed to buy for the party.  

She picked it up between two polished fingers. “What’s this?”  

“We’re having a party tomorrow. Lila got into college,” Ethan said.  

Serena’s eyes flicked to me, then back to him. “A party? That sounds fun.”  

“You should come,” Ethan added casually.  

“Yeah,” Roman said, his eyes on me. “You should come by.”  

Of course he invited her.  

Serena’s smile widened. “Of course I’ll be there.”  

My fork slipped from my fingers and clattered to the floor.  

“I’ll get you a new fork,” Roman said, already standing.  

I shook my head quickly. “Don’t bother. I’m not hungry anymore.”  

He ignored me and walked toward the counter, leaving me with Ethan and Serena.  

“Oh… congratulations, girl,” Serena said finally, sparing me one glance. “On the college thing.” She said it like it barely mattered.  

Who gave Roman permission to invite her to *my* party?  

I kicked Ethan’s shin under the table. He winced. “Ow! What was that for?”  

“For being useless,” I snapped.  

“What’s wrong with you today, Lila?” Ethan asked.  

“Nothing,” I muttered.  

Serena leaned her chin into her palm, eyes glittering. “So, Lila, you’re still following Roman around? Some things never change.”  

I stared at the table, jaw tight.  

“The same way you follow every guy with a pulse,” I murmured.  

“Mm,” she hummed, uninterested. Her eyes followed Roman across the room like a hawk.  

I wanted to throw my drink in her face.  

Roman returned a moment later with a new set of utensils and slid them in front of me. His hand brushed mine lightly, and even that small touch sent heat rushing up my arm.  

“Thanks,” I muttered, avoiding his eyes.  

He turned back to Serena and gave her his full attention again.  

I stabbed a piece of chicken, furious. They were laughing at something she said, and he leaned in a little closer.  

“Roman, can you walk me out?”  

My head shot up.  

She batted her lashes at him. “I’m sure they don’t mind.” He glanced toward me and Ethan.  

Roman stood. “Sure.”  

I stared at him.  

My appetite died completely. I pushed the bowl away.  

“You done?” Ethan asked, glancing at my food.  

“Yes,” I snapped.  

He grabbed my plate and started eating it himself.  

I squirmed in my seat, counting the minutes after he was gone. Ethan was too engrossed in my plate to notice my unease.  

I couldn’t sit still. My eyes kept flicking to the door. What were they doing out there? Talking? Laughing? Or worse—kissing?  

Finally I stood up.  

“Where are you going?” Ethan asked.  

“Bathroom,” I lied.  

I walked outside. The cool night air hit my face.  

Then I saw them.  

Roman stood in front of Serena, whose back was pressed against her car. She was leaning into him, smiling up at him, her hand resting on his chest.  

And he wasn’t moving away.  

My heart sank.  

She tilted her head up.  

He didn’t stop her, even though their faces were only inches apart.  

I gasped quietly.  

Was he going to kiss her?  

My chest squeezed so tight I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t watch anymore. I turned and went straight back inside.