Page 80 of The Temptation of Truth

She smirksagain. “Second, I broke up with Kat, so you don’t have to worry about her.I’mnot worried about her. Neither of us has to consider her feelings at all. Okay?”

My eyes flare before I can stop them.

She broke up with Kat.

Shebroke up withher.

Mabel isn’t dating Kat anymore, and the revelation makes me want to smile right before I force myself to frown.

I amnothappy.

I mean, Iamhappy. But for Mabel. I’m happy for Mabel. Good for her. I saw those pictures. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like that. That’s why I’m happy. That’s all.

I flatten my hand over my stomach and attempt a nonchalant shrug. “Okay.”

“AndI would never bring someone back to the suite we’re sharing. It’s disrespectful. I wouldn’t do it.”

I shrug again. “I wouldn’t care. It’s fine.”

It’s a terrible, obvious lie. I drop my attention back to the floor, but then Mabel crooks her fingers under my chin and tilts my face back to hers so we’re eye to eye once more.

“I wouldn’t do it,” she insists. “I don’t want to do it.”

My swallow is rough, and I lick my lips to wet them. Her eyes follow the movement, then slowly drag back up. Her next words are low, carried on an exhale that I feel more than hear.

“And I’m notonlyattracted to sexy celebrities.”

“You’re not?” I whisper, and her gaze is pulled back to my lips. “Who else are you attracted to?”

She forces her eyes to mine once more.

“I’m attracted to sexynormalpeople, too. I’m attracted to people who are full of energy and light. Creativity and confidence. To the passion I can see and feel in another person. It’s not just physical for me, Aurora. It’s deeper.”

My face falls. It’s stupid, Iknowit’s stupid, but her admission fills me with disappointment. Sexy? Creativity and confidence? Passion? I don’t know what I was hoping she’d say, not really, but it wasn’t that.

It wasn’t the exact opposite ofme.

It shouldn’t matter. None of this should matter. But God, it does, and I don’t understand why. None of this makes sense. I am such an idiot.

My eyes start to sting, so I pull away from her. I don’t want her to see me cry. Not over this. It’s all just so stupid and ridiculous, and I amsuchan idiot.

“Hey. Hey.” Mabel steps forward and grabs my shoulders, holding me in place. “What just happened?”

I blink away the threat of tears and clear my throat.

“Nothing. Nothing. I swear, nothing. I just...I’m just tired. I’m not used to being out this late. I’m not used to drinking. I’m just...I’m just feeling really raw right now, and I think I need to leave.”

Her eyes scan my face, and I watch her own expression change from one of concern to one of anger.

“God, what has he done to you?”

“What?” I shake my head. “Who?”

She huffs, then runs her hand through her hair. Her jaw pops and her nostrils flare.

I don’t know why she’s agitated. I don’t know what I did wrong, but it must have been bad. I never should have said anything. I never should have come downstairs after her or asked her any questions. I never should have even come tonight. I should have just gone back to the lodge.

Now I’ve made her angry. She’s mad at me, and I don’t want her to be mad at me. What if she never forgives me? If I’ve ruined this friendship, this one thing that’s been giving me joy...