Page 78 of Wild Card

“It’s fine. I just found out the love of my life is in love with someone else. I came out here to surprise him. Had a speech all ready in my head and then found out I don’t have a chance in hell.”

“If you had given me any sort of warning, I would have told you.” Tobias shakes his head.

“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise. You would have told him, and I didn’t want him to prepare some speech about how you’re his best friend and I’m your sister and blah blah blah. I’ve heard it all before,” Madison grumbles and sticks a graham cracker teddy bear into the Nutella and into her mouth.

“Your best friend?” I look to Tobias.

He grimaces.

“Yes. Xander. Have you met him?” Madison asks.

“Uh, yes. A few times.”

“Well I’ve been in love with him as long as I can remember, but thanks to asshole over here I’ve been nothing but ‘like a little sister to him’. And when I finally get the guts to prove it… When I think we’re finally both single, and life’s too short… Then I find out he’s been in love with someone else for years. And I can’t even be mad about it because they’re adorable. Have you met her? Harper? That bitch. Not really though. She’s very sweet. I bet we’d be friends if she didn’t steal my man.”

“Madison…”

“What? I’m just saying. Hoes before bros, but she could have at least thrown me a bone. I couldn’t sleep with him once? It’s unfair. He’s literally the most beautiful man in the world. No one else even comes close. Well… him and Undergrove. But I hate him. He doesn’t deserve it. Xander was—”

“Madison!”

“What?”

“You didn’t let me finish introductions. This is Scarlett. Scarlett, Madison. Scarlett and I met throughHarper,they’re best friends.”

“Oh fuck!” She slams her spoon back into the jar and looks guiltily at me.

“It’s fine. Didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. She’s very lucky, and Xander is hot as fuck.”

“Hey!” Tobias complains.

“I don’t really hate her, you know. I’m just being a jealous bitch right now. I’ll get over it.”

“You’re fine. I’d be crushed too.”

“Okay. Well, I’m not fine that you’re over here calling my best friend ‘hot as fuck.’” Tobias frowns at me.

“I mean not as hot as you.”

“She’s lying, brother. He’s definitely hotter than you. She just doesn’t want to damage your brittle ego.”

“Trust me, she cares very little for my ego.”

“Good. See, I think I like you. We’ll be friends as soon as I stop being jealous of your bestie.” Madison grins at me. “Now to find a romcom to remind me that there are other fish in the sea.”

Tobias waits for me to take off my shoes and coat and then laces his fingers with mine, dragging me back into the library and promptly depositing me on the table where he kisses me like his life depends on it.

“Fucking sorry about that. She’s… a lot sometimes. A force of nature really.”

“It’s okay. Misunderstandings happen.”

“Don’t mention her declaration of love to Harper? She’s dramatic, and I don’t want them to get off on the wrong foot. Madison and Xander’s sister are close. I have no idea how the fuck she did not get the memo, but here we are.”

“I won’t mention it.” I smirk at him amused.

He kisses me again and smiles.

“Thoughts on what you want for dinner?”