Harper’s eyes narrow. “Okay, but I wouldn’t do this for anyone else. I’ve never lied to Sean and I hate doing it now.”
“I know, but I really need you to keep this a secret. Even Garret’s stepmom doesn’t know the truth.”
“This is so weird. But I understand why Garret’s doing it.”
“I just hope we won’t have to do this for very long. The fake break-up just started and I already miss him.”
“I’m sorry.” She pouts her lips, then scoots off the bed and races over to her suitcase. “I have some gifts that might cheer you up.”
“Harper, you didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I didn’t.” She sorts through the clothes in her suitcase taking certain items out and forming a pile off to the side. “These are some more freebies my sister got.”
I go over and sit next to her on the floor. “Did you bring me more t-shirts?”
“A few t-shirts, a few more skirts, a couple casual dresses, some bikinis.” She holds up a neon green bikini that Garret would love and I can’t even model it for him. There’s also a red one, a hot pink one, and a white one.
“I know this skirt looks kind of frumpy, but I have one just like it and it’s totally cute on.” She hands me a white, cotton skirt with an elastic waist. “And I really love this dress. I wish it was in my size, but it’ll look great on you.”
I take the dress and hold it up. It’s a short, navy blue, sleeveless knit dress. It’s more sporty than fancy, so definitely my kind of dress.
When she’s done making me a pile of new clothes she insists I try them all on which is good because it’s something to do. It’s better than sitting in my room wondering what Garret is doing and wishing I could be with him.
“You should wear that to dinner,” Harper says.
I have on a dark denim mini skirt with a light blue sweater. The sweater is super soft and comfortable. Harper knows exactly what I’d buy if I had money to buy new clothes. She could be a personal shopper.
“I don’t have the right shoes for this,” I tell her, checking myself out in the mirror.
“Shoes! I almost forgot.” She opens another suitcase and pulls out several pairs of shoes; a few pairs of sandals, and some shoes that are almost like sneakers but nicer. “I knew you’d say you didn’t have shoes, so here. Now you don’t have any excuses. Put these on and let’s go.” She hands me the sneaker-like shoes.
“Where are we going for dinner?” As I ask I remember my empty wallet that was drained by the taxi ride to Garret’s house. “I can’t go. Sorry, I’m out of money. I had to take a taxi earlier and—”
“It’s my treat. Don’t worry about it. You know my family’s loaded and you never let me pay for anything.” She’s at the mirror, applying lip gloss and smacking her lips together.
“Because you shouldn’t pay. I should pay for myself.”
“I thought you agreed never to mention the money thing again.” Now she’s adjusting her ponytail which always takes forever. She has to get it just right. Not too high, but not too low.
“That was only with Garret.”
“Well, I’m making it a rule with me, too. No more complaining if I offer to pay for stuff. I’m not saying I’ll pay all the time, but tonight I want to take my friend out for dinner. And don’t say it has to be fast food because I don’t feel like having that tonight.” Her ponytail is finally where she wants it. She turns away from the mirror and grabs her purse, linking her arm with mine and dragging me out of her room.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Maybe a sushi place.”
“Ugh,” I mumble.
She laughs as we go outside. “I was kidding. I know you hate sushi.”
It’s 7 now and everyone appears to be back from break. The parking lot is packed with cars.
Harper gets her keys out. “There weren’t many spots left, so I had to park down by Lisker Hall.”
When we get to her SUV a car pulls into the space next to hers just as I’m going around to the passenger side. The bright headlights blind me and I shield my eyes while I wait for the driver to turn the car off. I look up and see that it’s a black BMW. Garret’s car. Seriously? What are the odds? I sigh as I watch him get out of the car.
People are all around us on the sidewalk and in the parking lot, so it’s time to start playing my role of the ex-girlfriend, but it’s freaking hard when he’s right there and I just want to run up and kiss him.
