“You two are friends.” Of course they’re friends. Zoe made my life miserable professionally, and Miranda nearly ruined my love life. It figures the universe tag-teamed these two.
Miranda’s fake eyelashes flutter as she feigns a smile. “We were roommates freshman year.”
I’m guessing that’s why Zoe hates me, although I’ve never done anything to Miranda either except get dumped, which gave her the opening she wanted with Rider.
What did he see in Miranda beyond looks?
She’s beautiful, dummy. Did he need a reason beyond her being runway-gorgeous?
“Cool. Well, I have to go.” With a blank expression on my face, I swing my bag onto my shoulder, hoping to get out of here as quickly as possible, but as I start to pass them, Zoe holds her arm out in front of me. In her hand, her phone is cued up to a video.
“Go ahead.” Her feline sneer is a warning. “Press play.”
I won’t like whatever I’m about to see, that much is certain.Walk away, Gabriela. Don’t give in to this game she’s playing.
“I have to get to class.”
She holds up her other hand. “I just want you to know what you’re getting yourself into and why you shouldn’t get attached to Rider.”
Miranda, with the ultimate guileless expression, shrugs. “It’s true, Gabby. Rider and I have something special, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Um. Sure. You’re just looking out for me.
“Sorry, I need to—”
Ignoring me, Zoe presses play.
The footage is shaky and within seconds I recognize Rider’s front lawn. It’s a party. Everyone’s in bathing suits.
Someone walks by carrying furniture. He’s so out of place, it’s almost funny. And I realize it’s Rider.
That’s the party they had in late August. When I interviewed Sienna.
He’s shirtless and glowing in the bright sun like a god. Smiling and too handsome for words.
For a brief moment, I think,He’s mine. This beautiful man who’s turned out to be an incredible father, he comes home tomeat night.
But then the ultimate record scratch halts that line of thought when Miranda, who’s wearing the smallest bikini known to man, leaps into his arms.
Even though I know this happened months ago, even though I tell myself I shouldn’t let this bother me, I’m not prepared for how much it hurts to see him laugh and grab her ass and casually toss her over his shoulder.
Or watch her slide down his body and seal their mouths together.
My heart is in my throat as they paw at each other. His hands are in her hair and on her rear.
They look like they’re two seconds from fucking on his front lawn.
Onlookers freaking cheer them on.
Bile pushes up the back of my throat, and Zoe finally shuts it off. Her sickly-sweet voice purrs, “Since you’ve been busy playing Suzy Homemaker, I thought you might need a reminder of what Rider is really like.” Zoe lowers her voice as she waves the phone in my face. “Just ask Mira—she and Rider fucked all night long after this party.”
My eyes dart to Miranda, whose expression of pity makes me want to punch her in the throat.
Zoe hooks her arm in her friend’s. “She and Rider have been an item on and off foryears. Whose bed do you think he was in right after he dumped your ass freshman year? Miranda’s. Listen, he’s going to get tired of you like he did then, so don’t get too comfortable in her territory. She and Rider are only taking a little breather. It’s what they do. Ask him.”
And then the two saunter away as though they didn’t just torpedo my heart.
57
