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“It’s a lot.”
“Let’s start with the biggest item on my list. So, are you and Alden athingor ...”
“We’re a thing,” I answered. “But we’re not telling my family until after the party.”
“I have many questions. First of all, how the hell did you forgive him for that message?”
“Not everyone holds onto grudges like you do. You still hate Nick for telling you not to curse back in middle school.”
“To be fair, he’s done more things to make me dislike him.”
They always got on each other’s nerves, mostly because they were two firecrackers fighting for dominance whenever they were in the same room.
“Well, I think I’ll give you another one.” I sighed. “Because we finally talked about why Alden turned me down.”
“I fail to see what this has to do with Nick.”
“My idiotic brother went off on him for sleeping with me.”
Winnie’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah, he told him he wouldn’t be friends with Alden if he continued, and Alden didn’t want to lose his onlyfriend. Get this, he thought it wasnormalto have to do something so drastic for friends.”
“That tracks, considering what his dad did. Did you set him straight?”
“Immediately.”
“Good. Now on to the real problem—Nick. Why would he be so protective?”
“Probably the bullying in middle school.”
“So? He doesn’townyou.”
“I’m not his biggest fan right now, which I feel bad about, considering he got nearly allof my stuff from Reed.”
“Please tell me you’re going to talk to him.”
“Of course we will.”
“Good. He better learn his lesson when you and Alden tell him to fuck off.”
“I hope so. We’ll be doing it later.”
“And I’ll listen in on it.”
“I don’t see you being able to do that without busting into the conversation.”
“Hey, I have great self-control. You saw how little I annoyed Nick.”
“Oh yeah. And one of these days, you’ll be friends with him.”
“When pigs fly, Stella.” She rolled her eyes. “And by the way, it’s good to have you back.”
“It’s good tobeback.”
“It seems like Alden is good for you.”
“I thought you hated him too.”