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“The only reason you’re with Axel is because you’re physically attracted to him, but we both know that’s not enough for you. You need substance behind the style. Axel can’t give you that.”

“So what?” I say, placing my hands on my hips. “So what if I’m attracted to him? What does it matter to you?”

“Because I know you and I know how important your future is to you. I just don’t see how Axel fits. All he’s doing is distracting you.”

“You’re telling me you’re with Olivia because she mentally stimulates you?”

“This isn’t about me and Olivia. Axel doesn’t understand where you’ve come from and how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are.”

“Here’s the thing, Ben,” I say, squaring my shoulders before swallowing. “When you decided I was no longer worth having inyour life, it meant you no longer got a say in what I do or who I choose to spend my time with. You might think Axel is using me or isn’t good enough or that I just want to jump his bones, but what you think no longer has any bearing on my life or the decisions I make.”

“What happened to you?” Ben asks as I toss all the leftover food onto the top tray. “You used to be so much easier to reason with.”

“I found my voice.” I pick up the tray and my things before glancing up at Ben one last time. “And I’ll find my own way home.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I come down the stairs to find Amo Eli waiting. “Wow,” he says, fanning himself. “You look stunning! Those legs! Are you sure we share the same gene pool?” he asks, looking down at his own with a frown.

“Would you like me to explain genetics?” I ask, in earnest. It would mean I could kill some time before driving myself to Axel’s cousin’s wedding. I’ve been filled with dread all day, mostly regretting my decision to be Axel’s date. My fight with Ben hasn’t helped put me at ease either.

I spent the hour-long walk home from the mall last night re-examining my goal to win Ben back, and I came to the conclusion that I’m not so sure I want to get back together with him anymore. Why would I want to be with someone who clearly doesn’t want to be with me? The majority of our interactions since breaking up have been unpleasant, and that’s putting it mildly. Most of all, even if we did get back together, I don’t think I’d be able to trust him. Then again, the thought of him being completely out of my life forever makes me sad. I just don’t see a clear path for us anymore. So where do I go from here?

“I didn’t study biology in high school for a reason,” Amo Eli says. “But maybe I should have. The teacher was hot! He looked like a young Tom Selleck.”

“Who?” I ask, scrunching up my face.

“He played Monica’s boyfriend, Richard, onFriends,” Mom says as she walks into the foyer carrying a pie to bring to the Camerons. “You look gorgeous. And who did your hair? It’s fantastic.” She winks and grins, clearly proud of herself.

I check myself out in the hallway mirror. Idolook hot. “My hairstylist talks a lot but she’s pretty talented.”

“Watch it,” she warns, admiring her handiwork. “This crown braid makes you look ethereal.”

“And that hemline makes you look dangerous,” Eli says. “Have you practiced sitting in that thing?”

“It’s not that short!”

“It’s not that short, she says, like I can’t see the tiny birthmark on her tushy,” he teases.

“Stop,” I say, instinctively pulling down the dress. “And I don’t have a birthmark on my tushy!”

“Take it from someone who changed hundreds of your diapers. You have a birthmark, right here,” he says, gesturing to the side of his own butt.

“Oh my god, I’m leaving.”

“When will you be back?” Mom asks while Eli giggles to himself.

“I don’t know,” I say, nervously fiddling with sleeves. “Midnight?”

“Midnight?” Amo Eli folds his arms over his chest. “You’ll miss the seafood buffet.”

“What do you know about any seafood buffet?” I ask.

“Um, hello. I work with your lover. He tells me everything! I wish I could be there to see his face when you enter the hall. You are going to give him a heart attack. That boy has it bad, Jam-e.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “He’s going to be too busy socializing to notice me. I’ll just sit at the table and read on my phone. I don’t even know why he wants me there.”

“Don’t be so obtuse,” Eli says, before sizing me up again. “And don’t forget your purse.”