Page 89 of The Merger

Me: It was probably a prickly pear cactus. And the flat parts aren’t leaves, they’re stems. They’re actually water storage systems and basically solar panels to absorb sunlight. It’s an effective design.

Gannon: Fascinating.

I’m not sure if he means that or is being sarcastic.

“I’m back,” Tate says, sliding back in the booth.

I ignore him, staring at my text exchange with Gannon. I only get him for a few minutes a day, so Tate will have to wait.

Me: Fascinating cacti facts aside, I can’t wait to see you on Saturday.

Gannon: I dread this event.

Me: Why?

“Who are you texting?” Tate asks. “Don’t ignore me. I’m needy.”

“Give me a second.”

“If that’s Courtney, tell her to stop sending me nude selfies.”

I glance up at him. “Courtney’s not sending you nude selfies.”

He winks. “Just seeing if you were even listening to me.”

Asshole.

Gannon: I just don’t like giving speeches.

Me: Then why did you say yes?

Gannon: Good question. I’ve been wondering that myself.

Huh.

Gannon: Have a good day, Carys.

Me: You, too. Xo

“You okay?” Tate asks, stealing a fry from my plate.

A lump settles in my throat as I prepare to lie to my best friend. Tate and I share everything and have for so many years. But I can’t share this with him. He doesn’t need to know I’m sleeping with his brother and, if he found out, he’d ruin it for us. Not intentionally—Tate isn’t a cockblocker. He’d just put so much pressure on the situation that it would blow up before Gannon and I are ready for it to end.

“I’m fine,” I say. “Just dealing with something … prickly.”

My screen dims and I know I won’t hear from Gannon again today.

And that sucks.

Friday

Gannon

“There’s been a slight change of plans for tomorrow,” Kylie says through the speakerphone. “Your departure time has moved back two hours.”

I growl, pouring myself another drink. “What the fuck, Kylie?”

She laughs. “I knew this wasn’t going to go over well.”