Page 49 of The Wicked Love

Nope, not my friend. I hate her again.

I don’t know if I’m ready for us to cross that line. The line where superficial conversations turn into secret-sharing and promises. No one in the world knows why I’m not with Callum—except Cade, I suppose.

“Becca, come on. Share something, anything. What are you so afraid of?” she asks.

My heart rate instantly rises.

Everything.

“Nothing. I’m not afraid of anything.” My stupid heartbeat won’t stop racing, and the higher it goes, the tighter my lips seal over the truth. “Sophie, I don’t like Callum, okay? I like Austin. Don’t ask again.”

She puts her hands up, waving her white flag. I don’t miss the look of annoyance that flashes across her glowing features. “Fine, I’ll stop pushing. Where’s Austin? Thought he was supposed to be here, like, fifteen minutes ago? Also, where the hell are Keanu and Max?”

“They’re meeting us downstairs.”

When I glance at the clock, I see she’s right. I walk over to my kitchen counter and grab my phone, seeing a message sent five minutes ago from the man himself.

Austin: I’m so sorry, babe. I think I got the stomach flu. I’ve been puking for the last four hours.

Fucking awesome.

Thanks to Austin, I have no guy shield besides Keanu and Max, but it’s not like I’m going to let them feel me up on the dance floor for show.

I don’t bother responding to the asswipe.

Clenching my phone in my hand, I tell Sophie and Rose, “He’s not coming. He’s sick or whatever. I don’t care. Let’s go.”

Sophie rises up from the couch with a smirk on her face and says in a mocking tone, “I thought we liked Austin?”

“Oh, shove it, Soph!” I yell at her as my Louboutin heels click on the tiles.

I open my door, wait for everyone to exit, then lock my door behind me.

She walks up to my side and throws her arm over my shoulders. “Aww! A nickname! I love it!” Her arm tugs on my straight hair.

I shrug her away. “Don’t get used to it.”

I press the elevator button as Sophie sings, “Becca likes me! Becca likes me!”

We step into the elevator, and the whole ride down, my nerves are building, wrapping around my chest and throat until I can barely breathe.

I quickly type out a text to Cade.

Me: Don’t know if this is weird to ask. But please keep this between us. I’m wondering how one of your interns is doing and if you could check on him for me. His name is Austin.

He answers almost immediately.

Cade: Of course. Last name?

Shit.How do I not know his last name?

Me: No clue. Just moved here, so new? Hope that helps. See you soon. Please don’t say anything to anyone. Thanks.

Cade: Lips sealed.

The elevator doors open, and I’m taken aback by the picture in front of me.

Cade, Stella, Brooke, and—oh my God—Callum. His fit and broad shoulders are hugged by the black satin of a long-sleeved button-up, and the first few buttons of his shirt are open, giving me the smallest glimpse of the outline of his chest.