Page 61 of Connectio

“You just have to look at us to see we’re not going to mesh.”

“You shallow, narrow-minded, princess wannabe.”

I flinch at her words. “I beg your par—”

“You of all people shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

“Me? Of all people? Why?”

“Because you have red hair.”

Oh my fucking God! “So?”

“So… redheads are mutants!”

I deadpan. Dead. Pan.

She points at me. “You know it’s true. We saw it on that—” She clicks her fingers. “—that Human Bodies show you’re always making me watch, remember? You have a fucked-up gene or something. You could be in the X-Men.”

I laugh; she’s actually right for once.

“I also produce more Vitamin D and am more likely to be stung by a bee, but that doesn’t make me shallow or narrow-minded.”

“But judging Will before giving him a chance does.”

“I’m not judging him,” I say, offended.

“Yeah, you are. Just because he doesn’t fit your perfect, prissy, Prince Charming expectations, doesn’t mean he’s unworthy.”

“I never said he’s unworthy.”

“Yeah, you did, without actually saying it.” She stands up and calls Sasha. “Come on, baby.”

Strangely enough, I don’t want her to leave. When she’s a bitch like this, she often helps me find clarity.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to have phone sex with Derek.”

“Oh.” I pout. “Really? You guys do that?”

Carly pulls a face that nearly has her going cross-eyed. “Yes, really. It’s what us non-royal types do.”

I cross my arms over my chest, feeling a little remorseful. “I’m not a royal type, and I never meant to judge Will. I’m not like that. You know I’m not like that. Hell, I live with and love you, don’t I?”

She steps up to me and cradles my face in her hands, and I can’t help but admire the perfect smoky eyeshadow framing her eyes. “You’re just scared of the unknown.”

I nod, tears pooling.

“You’ve placed yourself in a make-believe fairy tale with make-believe heroes.” She wipes a stray tear from my cheek. “They don’t exist, Lib. But men like Will do. They may not have a castle on a hill, horses, and a crown, but they do have other things to offer.”

“Like what?”

“A huge cock.” She double-slaps my cheeks. “Wake up. You’ve got to give someone a chance to know whether they deserve it or not.”

“Ow!” I rub my face.

“Now, goodnight. If you hear noises coming from my room… enjoy them.”