Page 54 of The Second Dance
“What?”
“You’re like the kid who catches flies and tears off their wings.”
Her face twists. “Excuse me?”
“I know you’re the one who spread the story about prom night. Andy knows, too.”
Her nostrils flare. “Because you told her?”
“Because she figured it out. What I can’t understand is why she’d trust you with anything ever again.”
Whitney’s eyes darken. “I have been friends with that girl since I moved here to Silver Bend. Sixteen years, Bo. How long haveyouknown her?”
“Longer than that, actually. My whole life.”
She pulls up short at that, but quickly regroups. “You grew up around her, but did you actually know her? I saw her, Bo. You were too caught up in your golden child existence to notice anyone else.”
“Yeah? What exactly wasn’t I seeing?”
“Everyone else. How hard it was for us. You know, you jocks might have been popular, but there’s a difference between being popular and being liked.” She tips her chin up. “And nobody liked you assholes.”
“They liked you, though?”
Her expression hardens. “No. I’m pretty sure they didn’t. I was quiet. Bitter. But Andy? Everyone liked her. Truly liked her. And you ruined everything.”
“You’re the one who destroyed her reputation.”
“Because you were going to steal her from me.” Whitney’s eyes blaze. She winces, realizing she said more than she wanted to. She slides off her stool. Stopping at my side. “You’re nothing more than a little crush, Bo. I’m her best friend. You just can’t compare.”
30.
Andy
Heather and I worked out a process.
I’d direct all communication through her, and she’d pass it along to Bo.
My boss didn’t care one way or another and I was starting to think I’d escaped his notice. That was until he found me at my desk and told me I was going back to Silver Bend.
In a surprise move, Chad decided to donate an unholy chunk of money to the Songbird Foundation. I cannot begin to understand the complicated game of chess Heather and Chad are playing, but what I do know is that his gift allows us to overhaul the Thorne County arboretum, creating another migration stopover for songbirds.
This is a big win for the foundation. I just wish it didn’t wasn’t tied to a petty divorce squabble.
I know divorcees will occasionally take potshots at each other, but this gets points for creativity.
Unfortunately, it also requires me to arrange a dedication ceremony for Thorne county.
Luckily, I was able to arrange the ribbon cutting ceremony and the after party without talking to a single Thomas man.
My luck ran out at the ribbon cutting, but that was to be expected.
I didn’t expect to seethatmany Thomas’s in one place, but I suppose it makes sense. I flutter around, pretending to be busy with… ribbons… and scissors… until I can’t avoid them any longer.
My boss is due to arrive at any moment, and I need to look like I have things under control. I pass under a stand of blooming crab apples, momentarily gratified by the way my dress matches their blooms. I find Chad standing with his younger son, Cody and nephew, Mitch.
Mitch and Cody were sophomores when I was a senior. I know them and they know me.
Judging by the smirk on their faces, they definitely know me.
