“I figured it out,” he says, but winces slightly. “With some pointers.”
“Nuri?”
“Evie.”
“What?” I almost rear back in surprise.
“Yeah. Apparently you talk when you’re drunk.”
Mortifying. Absolutely, mortifying. Evie knew? And Ikram? I don’t remember…
“You do realize that I’m the only disabled roommate you had in college? With a sister?”
I slap my hands on my face with a groan. Looks like drunk me is no better than drunk Prue.
“If it makes you feel any better, I wouldn’t have figured it out on my own. As clueless as my sister.”
I huff a laugh.
“But yeah… I wasn’t pretending. I mean, I’ll always look out for her, but I can’t—get in the way, you know? Things changed. I want her to be happy, and that wont happen if I keep pushing people away from her. Fromus.”
We stare at each other for a minute in silence.
“Don’t tell her I’ve talked to you, yet.” I tell him.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want her to feel pressured about it. I told you because I wanted you to know howIfeel. She might not be ready to do the same.”
He thinks about it for a minute before nodding. “Yeah, okay. But as her big brother, I feel like I should at least threaten you…”
One of my brows lifts in surprise and a smirk pulls at my lips.
“Sure. Go ahead.”
He grins. “If you break her heart in any way, my best friend will kick your ass. Oh no, wait, that doesn’t work here, does it?”
A loud laugh escapes my throat, releasing all the anxiety I’ve been building up since I decided to talk to him.
“No, she’s a big girl. She didn’t need me to go after Jerkwood or the two other pricks. She’ll maul you herself.”
And if I ever cause her pain again, I’ll gladly let her.
30
THEY SAY ROMANCE IS DEAD
Tham: I need you to call me back.
Tham: I don’t care about Jack’s and your rebellious phase, it’s important.
Prudence: Rebellious phase?
Tham: What else can I call it?
Tham: You guys won’t come back home for holidays, are skipping every check up video chat, won’t talk to any of us?
Prudence: You’re joking, right?
