Page 15 of See You Soon

Amara booed. “He’s not with her though, so fair game.”

The timer sounded, and Cara tucked the phone under her chin and pulled out the pans.

“Actually, I feel kind of bad for him. When Melody finally texted me today saying she wouldn’t be back for a few weeks, she said he waslike her brother.”

“Brother?Ouch. Well, that settles it then.”

“I’m not going to make out with my roommate. That has disaster written all over it.”

“Lame. What about other guys? Are you dating?” The cautiousness was back in Amara’s voice.

“As a matter of fact, I was thinking about that tonight.” Cara put a chicken breast and a cup of roasted veggies into each heavy plastic container. “I haven’t since… But, I have to eventually, right?”

Amara was quiet, and Cara squirmed. She shouldn’t have brought it up.

“What Erik did, sending those pictures to the tabloids, was horrible. But you can’t let him win. He’s a spoiled piece of shit. If you hide away, not living, you are doing exactly what he wants.”

Cara closed her eyes. Amara was right, but it wasn’t that easy. She still didn’t knowhowErik had gotten the old photos of her. She had certainly never sent him any. Declan had threatened the tabloid with legal action because they could prove she was underage when the pictures were taken, but the editor refused to tell him who had sent them the photos.

The magazine took the images down from their digital site, but the damage was done. Everyone she knew had seen them. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of taking the pictures—it was the violation of knowing the decision to share them was taken out of her hands.

It had been humiliating to face her family after the story broke. As if they hadn’t had enough to deal with in regard to their father dying only a few weeks before, she’d dumped this mess in her brothers’ laps. It had been too much for Cara to deal with and she had retreated from the world.

Unfortunately, the world wouldn’t stay away from her. When the phone calls began, she thought it was Erik finding new ways to torture her. But soon after came the emails and messages on her social media account, detailing what she had done on certain days, making it clear that whoever was sending them was close by. It hadn’t been difficult to find out that Erik was still in Europe. Which meant it was someone else.

“The pictures are gone,” Amara said quietly.

Cara heard a burst of laughter in the background.

“Are you at a party?” Cara asked, nerves prickling under her skin.

“My parents are having a thing. I’m outside. No one knows I’m talking to you.”

“I’m sorry. I want to let it go. I really do…”

“What about a dating app? You could use whatever name it is you’re using now.”

“What do you mean?” Cara hedged.

“Duh! I googled Cara Bloom, trying to find out where my best friend had disappeared to, but all that’s out there is old stuff. Don’t be so paranoid. Not everyone is out to get you, you know. Even Colin was asking about you the last time I saw him. People care about you and think what Erik did was really shitty.”

Cara rubbed her forehead. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Okay, let’s talk about dating apps then. Which ones do you have?”

Cara wrinkled her nose. “Dating apps? I don’t know—”

“I’m on one.”

“You are not!”

“I am. Unless I’m going to keep dating in the weird, incestuous circle that is our friend group, I need to meet some new people. It’s designed for high net worth or high-profile people. I can refer you—” Amara stopped suddenly.

“Pretty sure I wouldn’t meet their requirements anymore,” Cara said dryly.

“Whatever. So far, they’re mostly snobs. You’re better off without it. You should sign up for Mingle or something though! Even if it’s just to meet new people.”

Cara grinned. “I’ll think about it.”