“After the rock-star vocalist Phillis Stevens’ hospitalization, twenty-three-year-old son, Kristoff, has temporarily taken over Stevens Media in Los Angeles. He was spotted with his girlfriend, Candice McQueen, the rising pop idol, at the press conference last night...”A picture of Kristoff and Lora’s sister looking like the perfect celebrity couple appears on the TV screen. Candice’s hand is intertwined with Kristoff’s arm.
“You shouldn’t watch the news. How long has it been since? He’s been gone for two weeks now with no phone calls or texts. Anya, forget about him.”
“I didn’t even say anything.” I lie down on the couch and stare up at the ceiling. “Your sister has made headlines. Did you not want to see her?”
“We were in the same womb at the same time, and I look in the mirror every day, so I don’t really miss her. I’m just annoyed with myself because I can’t be with Candice and can’t fully support my best friend.”
I sigh. “You’re here with me. That’s enough encouragement, but I’m not selfish enough to take you away from your sister.”
“Kristoff should have considered that before screwing the both of you. Yet, they have each other in Los Angeles. Here we are, sitting on this couch, eating this bland popcorn with nothing to watch.” She tosses the popcorn box onto the sofa table. “Admit it, Anya. We’re pathetic.”
“We didn’t do anything wrong.”
“No, we’re just stupid. I’m stupid because I ignored Candice.” She grumbles angrily.
“We need to hear their explanation. I thought you said they split up a long time ago.”
“And you’re an idiot if you think you can let Kristoff off the hook. I know he loves you, but they’re still together.”
“But first and foremost, Lors, we need it. We spent so much time together that I never even saw him send a text to someone else.”
“Do you still believe he didn’t cheat?” she wonders aloud.
“I didn’t say it like that.”
“Look at my face. When Kristoff saw me, he could have just told me about Candice. I live with his current girlfriend! He’s fucked up. I’m afraid he’ll hurt Candice too.”
My heart begins to sink. “Withholding the truth also implies lying, and lying implies cheating. Fine, I agree.”
“So, what the hell is going on, right? She never even attempted to contact me.”
Lora sounds more exhausted than I do, but I hold back my snark.
“I don’t like what’s going on, Anya.”
Silence.
“How about going to the club instead? It’s the weekend.”
She blinks. “Am I hearing right? Are you asking me?”
I beam. “I believe I did.”
“I must be dreaming. You’ve never asked before.”
I laugh at her and pat her leg. “Come on! Just this once.”
“You’re right. Let’s just drink this out.”
Within minutes, I’m dressed in my go-to black wrap-body con satin dress and leather boots. Lora applies my smokey eye makeup and nude lipstick before pulling my hair back into a messy bun. Right now, she’s wearing a burgundy dress with a plunging V-neck, sequin lace, and a pair of stilettos that go perfectly with it. She looks absolutely hot.
We strike a few sultry poses in front of the mirror, laughing at our silliness.
“Hey, why don’t we go to the club you and Professor Sebastian went to?” Lora suggests.
“How are you going to get in there? It’s exclusive,” I say as I admire my tight waist and round ass. This is why this dress is my favorite. It’s not overly revealing, yet sexy. I’m confident wearing it.
“Why don’t we invite him, then?”
“Who?”
Lora gives me a bewildered look across the mirror. “Who else? Professor Sebastian.”
I turn to face her. “Are you crazy? Do you think he’ll buy our pass? He’s our professor. It’s awkward.”
“It’ll be fine. He doesn’t behave like a professor outside of school anyway. He’s young and brimming with energy. It’ll be fun.”
To be fair, Julian looks more like a movie star than a college professor. There are other young, attractive professors in Whitlock, but Julian simply stands out.
“How can we have real fun with him around? Let’s just go to Caleb’s.”
She snorts and laughs heartily. “Trust me. I’m doing this for you. You just don’t see it.”
“Oh, really?” I cross my arms over my chest. “How is this for me?”
“Don’t you want to see him?”
Of course, I want to see him. “I don’t even have his phone number, so I can’t invite him.”
“I have it.” She shrugs.
I scowl. “How come you have it?”
“What do you mean by how? I asked Kristoff before he left.”
“Why did you ask for it? It’s not like you’re going to call him,” I claim.
She gestures with her hands. “Whoa, don’t get angry.”
Crap. Is that what I sound like? “I’m just curious.”
“I just want his phone number in case we need it.” She pulls up Julian’s number on her phone and shows it to me. “Here.”
“Fine.” I open my purse and take out my phone. I doubt he’ll come anyway.
“You little witch!” She giggles and slaps my arm. “You act like the goody-two-shoes type, but deep down, you want to see him, too. Kristoff may be out of the picture right now, but you’re not completely out of options. Professor Sebastian is here for you.”
“Kristoff isn’t out of the picture! He’s left for a moment, but we still need to talk,” I assert. “And please don’t say Julian is for me. He isn’t.”
“Uh-huh.” She crosses her arms and arches her brows. “Ditching the formalities now, are we?”
I roll my eyes and tuck my phone back into my purse. “Forget it. I’m not going to call him.”
“Oh, come on!” She throws her hands onto her lap. “Stop playing hard to get. Fine. I’ll call him, then.”
Lora hits the call button and then puts on the speakers.
My jaw drops. “What did you just do?”
When the phone rings, Julian answers it.
“Hello?”
Lora hides her lips, chuckling.
“Drop the call!” I mutter harshly.
“Answer it,” she urges.
“Hello?” Julian speaks again. “Who is this?”
Grumbling at me, Lora answers, “Hello, um, this is Lora, sir. Professor Sebastian?”
A beat passes. “Ms. McQueen?”
“Yes, professor, it’s me. I hope you don’t mind. I got your phone number from Kristoff,” Lora goes on.
“Alright. Is something wrong?” God, his voice. It makes my stomach churn.
“Everything’s fine. But Anya wants to speak with you.” A glint appears in my best friend’s eyes.
“No, no, no, please,” I whisper softly.
“With Ms. Scott? What’s going on?” His tone is concerned.
Lora tosses her phone at me, nearly dropping it on the floor, but I catch it.
I turn off the open speaker and place the phone in my ear. “H-Hello?”
“Anya? What’s the matter?”
“I’m sorry. But I have something to ask from you if you don’t mind.”
He chuckles quietly. “What is it?”
“This isn’t my idea, but Lora is wondering if we can invite you to the club.” I hope this doesn’t come out weird.
Lora watches me curiously.
“Which club?” he asks nonchalantly.
“The place we went to. I liked Mateo’s drink.”
“When?”
“Tonight. We’re just about to leave. It’s alright if you don’t want to go, though. My best friend can be quite crazy sometimes—”
“I’ll come.”
“What?”
“See you tonight, Anya.”
“But... I didn’t expect you to—”
He hangs up.
Oh, boy.
I can’t believe I just asked him. Will he actually be there? I never imagined he’d be interested. My stomach twitches with excitement, and the thrill spreads from my spine to my toes.
“What did he say?” Lora asks.
“He’s coming.” I pass the phone back to her, still incredulous.
“Whoo!” She raises her arms in the air. “I knew he’d come!”
“Lora, I’ve never done anything more humiliating in my life. Please don’t do that to me again.”
“Let’s go!” She snatches my arm and drags me outside.