Page 94 of Learn Your Lesson

“Don’t be,” she assured me. “It made my life less complicated, to have that as my first experience.”

She stepped out and grabbed one of the towels I’d hung for us, wrapping herself in it.

“It set realistic expectations. It proved to me what my mother and grandmother had always wanted me to know.”

“And what’s that?”

She shrugged, a sad smile on her lips as she glanced at me over her shoulder.

“That love isn’t real, and men can only give so much. In the end, I have to take care of myself.”

My heart cracked.

I wanted to tell her she was wrong.

I wanted to tell her thatIwould take care of her. ThatIwould make her feel good, make her feel wanted, make her feel…loved.

But I couldn’t.

Because here I was, serving as yet another layer of proof to back up her theory.

I held Chloe’s gaze, and I swore she was waiting for me to say something, too. I willed my mouth to open.

But I couldn’t lie to her.

Apparently, it was much easier to lie to myself.

“I’m going to make some food,” she said, tearing her gaze from me. “Want any?”

“No, thank you. I’ll heat up the leftovers Arushi left later.”

Chloe nodded, and I tried to ignore the disappointment I saw in her, the disappointment I felt in my chest.

“Well, then,” she said, spinning and throwing me a seemingly unbothered smile. “See you around, coach.”

She saluted with a wink.

And then she was gone.

Cruel, Isn’t It?

Chloe

“Absolutely not.”

I chuckled, trying and failing to pull Chef Patel from where she was rooted in place on Sunday. Just like Will had promised, we were at Disney World, soaking up his full day off and staying the night in Orlando. We’d make the drive back home tomorrow morning before his late practice.

Our VIP tour guide, Juan, was busying Will and Ava with some fun facts about the Mad Tea Party — the ride Chef was refusing to partake in.

“You’re being such a Will right now,” I said. “A real turkey!”

“I will hold your things,” she offered, grabbing the backpack I had full of snacks, water, sunscreen, and other items I thought we might need. “And will be waiting right here when you get done.”

“Comeon, Arushi,” I begged. “You already sat out on Space Mountainandthe Barnstormer.”

“And you did just fine on your own, didn’t you?” She pursed her lips. “I will be right here.”

“Fine,” I said with a heavy sigh. “But I’m going to make you rideIt’s a Small Worldas punishment.”