Page 97 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“You sure?” Sophie asks.

“It’s my mom, that’s all. She wants to know if she should tell the caterer to prepare something special for me. As if she cares. She just wants to show off to her friends what a ‘great’ mom she is.”

Her eyebrow furrows. “Caterer for what?”

I puff out my cheeks. “Mom’s having a birthday party on Friday and I’m forced to go.”

“Well, sheisyour mom.”

I grunt. “Yeah, and she’s inviting all her snooty friends whom I can’t stand. I’ll probably be the only kid my age there. And even if there are kids my age, they’re just as snooty as their parents. I’ll feel out of place.”

She’s quiet as she studies me. “Don’t you have any friends to invite?”

I shake my head. “Got no friends. Unless you want to come.”

“Me? Are you serious?”

“I wasn’t, but I’m liking the idea now.”

She grins. “You mean, you won’t be in hell anymore.”

“Yeah, that. So…want to keep the non bad boy company?”

She thinks it over for a bit. “Do you have to ask your mom?”

“Nah. She probably wouldn’t even care. Or notice.”

“I’m sure she’ll notice.”

I shrug. “She really wouldn’t care. She’ll be busy being the birthday girl and will be loving all the attention. She’ll barely pay attention to us.”

“Okay. Do I have to wear something nice? Like a fancy dress?”

“Probably. That’s what all the girls and women wear. I don’t really know, honestly.”

“That’s okay. Addie’s got a closet full of nice clothes and she’ll be more than happy to lend me something. Gosh, this is exciting! I’ve never been to a wealthy birthday party before.”

I frown. “Believe me, there’s nothing exciting about it.” Although, having her there will definitely make things a lot better and fun. “But thanks.”

“Anything to help out a friend in need.”

I lift a brow. “Or maybe you just want to eat good food.”

“That’s totally the reason.”

We both laugh.

“I’m glad to see you kids having fun, but perhaps you should focus on your paintings,” Miss Moreno says.

“Sorry, Miss Moreno,” Sophie says. “We just got distracted.”

She pats her shoulder and mine, before telling us it’s okay and we should continue our paintings. She’s right. We only have art once a week and should use the time to paint. It’s just so easy and comfortable talking to Sophie.

Even the awkwardness from her seeing my sketch is gone. I completely forgot about it until this moment.

She doesn’t seem to be thinking about it, either. Maybe she also doesn’t want things to be awkward between us.

“So is my talent seeping into you?” I ask her after a few minutes of us painting.