I sighed. “Sure, I know. But it justlookedlike Dakota from this summer. He was wearing the same outfits, gym clothes, everything.”
“Okay, so he’s on tape flirting with girls—and don’t get me wrong, that sucks—but did he actually do anything with them? Or was it just harmless flirting?”
“I don’t know for sure,” I begrudgingly admitted. “But c’mon, Sienna, you said it yourself early on. Dakota’s a player.”
She didn’t deny it. “Absolutely, yeah, that’s what I knew him as. I’ve been straight with you from the beginning about that, O. Which is why I’m now telling you that, I dunno, something seems off here. Because Dakota totally started to change since you and he started screwing. Dating? What are you, anyway?”
“That’s another thing!” I mewled in frustration. “I don’t even know what we are. We never even talked about it! I just assumed, because I was always at his place every single night, that we were boyfriend and girlfriend. But maybe he just wanted me to think that? So he could keep chasing after other girls on the side?”
“But if you were with him every single night, then when would he even find the time to cheat on you?”
“Men find a way.” I tutted. “After what I’ve been through? I’m done giving them the benefit of the doubt.”
“I hear ya, O. I don’t blame you at all for feeling that way.” Sienna bobbed her head with understanding. “Still. I think it sucks that you won’t see each other one last time. If nothing else, to give him a piece of your mind.”
“Yeah … I guess that’d be nice,” I said, a hint of longing in my voice. “But my dad made sure that won’t be happening.”
A silence came between us. I felt like I’d already said everything there was to say about my situation. As much as I wanted to scream at Dakota for lying to me? It was pointless. All I could do now was acceptthat it was over and move on with my life.
That’s what I was thinking, anyway, when a subtle droning interrupted the stillness. It was just a car in the distance prowling down the street. It wasn’t the firstcar to drive down the road since I’d arrived at Sienna’s—dozens had driven past without me even noticing. But there was something unmistakably familiar about this car’s throaty rumble, making the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand tall.
“Do you hear that?” I asked, my ears perking up.
She listened attentively, her brows furrowing in concentration. “What? You mean that car?”
“Yeah.” The growl of the engine grew louder, and more familiar, as it slowly approached. “That sounds like a Porsche 911 Turbo.”
Sienna's eyes widened, and she let out a surprised laugh. “Oddly specific, but okay. I didn’t know you were a car girl.”
“I’mnot,” I said. “I only know what they sound like because that’s Dakota’s car.”
“Oh.Oh!” Sienna couldn’t contain her excitement. “You really think that could be him?”
We got our answer a second later when a matte black Porsche 911 cruised past the window. I felt a strange mix of emotion—relief and disappointment, both—when the car sped right past Sienna’s house.
I was right about the car. I was just wrong about it being Dakota’s.
But just when I thought it was a mere coincidence, the Porsche’s brake lights lit, and the car screeched to a stop. The driver quickly reversed the car, its gears whirring, until he pulled even with Sienna’s. Then the Porsche growled as he pulled forward and whipped into her driveway.
Oh my God.
“That’s him,” I gasped, my breath caught in my throat.
A second later, the Porsche door swung open and Dakota stepped out, confirming what I already knew.
My heart quickly began to pump as I watched Dakota hurry up the driveway, filling me with a nervous excitement. Seeing him was what I both wanted and feared. What would happen if Dad found out? Andhowdid he find me, anyway?
I turned to Sienna. “You didn’t tell him I was here, did you?!” I hated to accuse the only person who was actually helping me, but after today, how could Inothave trust issues?
But Sienna vehemently shook her head, her eyes filled with sincerity. “No! I didn’t tell anyone, I swear!”
I believed her. “But how did he find me, then…?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she murmured.
Then there was a knock on the door.
“Ottavia!”Dakota called out.“Ottavia, please!”
