Page 61 of Inevitable

I nodded and kept my attention focused on my meal. The rest of dinner was uneventful, and I spent most of it pushing the food around my plate. When they’d finished, I volunteered to do the dishes, grateful for an escape.

I thought I was in the clear until Lea sat across from me on one of the barstools. “Sumner, is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I chirped. “Yeah. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”

She nodded slowly, though she continued to appraise me. She glanced around, and I realized Dad was nowhere in sight. Even so, she lowered her voice. “Did something happen in New York?”

“No.” I jerked my head back, heart racing. “Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know.” Her lips turned down, and I wondered if she could hear my heart trying to beat out of my chest. “I guess I thought you’d be more excited after the trip. And when your dad mentioned Jonathan—”

I tried to maintain a neutral expression, even though I feared she could see right through me. “It’s nothing, promise. I’m just tired,” I said, settling on a version of the truth.

She placed the back of her hand to my forehead. “You sure you’re not coming down with something?”

I nodded. “I’m good. Really.”

“Good, because I’d hate to cancel our spa day this weekend.”

I cringed. I’d totally forgotten about it, but there was no way I could spend an entire day alone with Lea and maintain this charade. “I, um, I actually have to work,” I lied, desperate for an escape.

“On the weekend?” she asked, and I nodded, wishing I’d thought it through. “Surely you deserve a day off, especially after stepping up and helping with the New York trip.”

“I wish.” I wiped down the counters before folding the dish towel.

She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. “For an intern, you sure are working long hours.”

I took my time draping the towel over the oven handle. “Not really. It’s no different from anywhere else. Anyway—” I yawned, though my weariness was genuine and bone-deep. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to shower and head to bed.”

Before she could press me further, I darted upstairs and into my room, shutting and locking the door behind me. I showered, wishing my lies would wash down the drain along with the dirt from my skin. I hated lying to my dad. I hated lying to Lea.

Did I regret sleeping with Jonathan?

I didn’t know that I could ever say I regretted it, but my current predicament was less than ideal. And I couldn’t see how I was going to make it until the end of the summer, the end of my internship.

I tossed and turned, my mind even more restless than my body. And when my alarm went off, my eyes were dry and scratchy, my body felt like it was weighted down with stones. I dressed before dragging myself down to the kitchen to make some coffee. It was early, and I was hoping to escape the house before my dad or Lea got up. I’d struggled through the conversation at dinner last night, and I didn’t know how I could keep up this act.

But I soon realized that being at the office was no better. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to see Jonathan or avoid him. Both prospects seemed equally daunting, though I knew I’d have to face him eventually.

I headed toward the conference room, when my phone vibrated with an incoming email. I glanced down at the screen, startled to find a new message from Nico. I was about to hit delete, but curiosity had me skimming the contents.

Sumner,

I’ll be in LA next week for a conference, and I’d love to see you. I’ve missed you.

Best,

Nico

I hadn’t heardfrom him in months. Or at least, not since I’d blocked his number. And I was so shocked to hear from him now that I barely noticed where I was going until someone cleared their throat.

I glanced up to find Jonathan staring at me from down the hall.

“Hey,” I said, hitting the Power button on my phone so the screen went black.

Jonathan shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted on his feet. “Hey.”

We both moved to the right, blocking each other’s path.