Page 24 of I Don't Need Your Romance

I hold up my hand. “It’s not as good as it sounds. My parents decided to be mean to me and cut me off, so I basically looked like a poor beggar at the bookstore. Damian stepped in because he felt sorry for me. Even though he claims it wasn’t charity or pity, I know he felt bad.”

“How did you even end up on his bike?” Raven asks.

“My car decided to be mean, too, and die on me. Ugh, that reminds me. I need to get it to the shop.”

“So instead of postponing your trip to the bookstore to a later date, you decided to hop onto Damian’s bike?” Carly asks with furrowed brows.

“Not exactly. He offered to take me there.”

“You weren’t scared he’d, um…” Addie’s voice trails off like she’s not sure how to ask the question.

“Scared that he’d kidnap me or something? Of course. But the truth is that he’s not a bad person. He was nice to me the entire time.”

“But why?” Raven asks. “Yesterday you made it seem like he was the worst student you ever tutored.”

“I thought he was the worst student I ever tutored. But I guess I misjudged him.”

The three of them are quiet as they think over my words.

“So are you guys friends now?” Carly asks.

I scoff. “Doubt it. I don’t think Damian makes friends with goody-goodies like me. But I think our lessons will be more enjoyable.”

“That’s good,” Raven says.

Addie looks disappointed. “Are you sure you guys can’t be friends? You know, friends make the best romantic relationships.”

“Oh mygosh, Addie.”

“What? He’s really cute and you guys look really cute together.”

I roll my eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you I don’t like bad boys?”

“Until you admit you’re lying to yourself.”

Addie’s not being annoying, she just wants Raven and me to experience what she and Carly have experienced—an epic romance. She and Caleb are perfect for each other, and I know they’ll be together forever. The same for Carly and Ryder. While I do believe deeply that happily ever afters do happen, I don’t believe they happen to everyone. So while there will be the few lucky ones who will experience the romance of their dreams, most people can only hope and yearn. Which is completely fine because if I won’t be one of the lucky ones, I’ll always have my romance books.

“At least you got to experience a motorcycle ride even if it wasn’t a romantic one,” Carly says.

“The dude’s muscles are so hard,” I tell them. “He must work out.”

“Ooh, you’re talking about his muscles.” Addie pokes my ribs.

“It was just an observation because I was forced to wrap my arms around him.”

“Did he like you touching him?” Addie asks with light in her eyes.

“I can’t read his mind, Addie.”

“But you could tell based on his reaction.”

“I was busy worrying about my short skirt.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Seriously! Next time, I’m going to wear pants.”

Carly’s brows shoot up. “Did you saynext time?”