Page 58 of American Royals II: Majesty

Somehow Daphne smiled through the wave of her guilt. “Thanks.”

“It’s nothing.” Himari sighed. “I just can’t believe you’re graduating in a few weeks. I don’t know how I’m going to survive all of next year without you.”

“Please. You’ll rule the school with an iron fist.”

“Of course I will,” Himari said impatiently. “But who’s going to help me make sure the freshmen all know their place? Who will help me steal the best spots in the senior parking lot? Who’ll sneak out of Madame Meynard’s French class with me to get sesame bagels when we’re supposed to be practicing our dialogue?”

There was a touch of sadness in Daphne’s smile, because she had spent a year doing all those things alone, too. “I won’t be far; King’s College is only fifteen minutes away,” she pointed out.

“You and Jeff are going to have so much fun,” Himari moaned. “I can’t wait to come visit you guys.”

Daphne smiled. “All the time, please.”

She and Jefferson had been texting ever since last weekend, when he’d arrived at the Patriot to find her deep in conversation with his sister. Daphne knew at once that she’d scored a huge point in her favor. Samantha’s disapproval of her had always been a source of unspoken tension.

Himari pushed her chair back from the counter. “Want to watch something? I havesomuch TV-bingeing to catch upon.”

Daphne’s phone buzzed in her purse; she saw that it was her mother and pushed Ignore. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with Rebecca’s endless supply of plots and schemes.

“Yeah, I’ll stay.” She made to turn upstairs, but Himari had already crossed the room toward the back door.

“Can we go outside, actually? My brothers have taken over the playroom.”

There was nothing Daphne could say without arousing suspicion. She followed Himari despite her sudden uneasiness.

When they pulled open the door of the pool house, Himari sighed. “It’s too hot in here,” she announced. “Let me get the AC.”

Daphne went to sit down, clicking through the TV menu without really registering what it said. The last time she’d been in here, the night of Himari’s birthday party last spring, this couch had been unfolded into a pull-out bed.

It was where she’d lost her virginity to Ethan.

Daphne braced her palms on the couch cushion beneath her, trying—and failing—not to think about that night. Of the way Ethan’s body had fit against hers, skin to skin.

There was a loud clattering sound from the doorway. Himari had stumbled, barely catching herself from falling to the floor.

Daphne rushed forward, grabbing her friend beneath her arms to steady her. “Are you okay? Should I call your doctor?”

Himari’s face had gone ashen, her eyes fluttering shut. “I just need a minute.”

Daphne helped her to the couch, then found a bottle of water in the mini-fridge and forced Himari to take a few sips. “You probably overexerted yourself today,” she babbled. “Let me help you upstairs. Or do you want me to get your parents?”

Himari’s breaths were quick and shallow. For a terrifying moment, Daphne thought she might have passed out or somehow relapsed into a coma.

Then Himari’s eyes shot open, and Daphne knew at once that something had changed.

“You were in here last year, weren’t you?” Himari asked, speaking very slowly. “WithEthan.”

The hair on Daphne’s arms prickled. She didn’t know how to answer. There was no way she could admit the truth, yet she couldn’t bear to lie to Himari, either. Not after everything her friend had been through.

The misery must have been written there on her face, because Himari drew in a breath.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “You and him—I remember now. I saw you!”

Daphne swallowed against the fear in her throat, sticky and hot like tar. “Let me explain,” she said weakly.

“Explain what? The fact that you cheated on your boyfriend—Jeff is my friend too, you know—inmyhouse?”

“I’m sorry—”