Chapter 38

“Definitely not,” I reply, and her chest deflates as she exhales. Lizzie hooks her arm through mine, her bouncy black curls falling around her face as she smiles.

“Get a drink with me?” And then she drags me toward the kitchen, and the tension breaks. I can feel Tristan watching us though, his silver gaze cutting across the room and boring into me. Lizzie ignores him, filling a glass with ice and soda, and then offering it to me. I take it gratefully, feeling a small smile bloom on my face. “Lizzie Walton.” She points to her chest.

“Marnye Reed,” I reply, pausing as one of the guys brings over a stack of fresh pizzas and stacks the white cardboard boxes on the counter. There’s a rush for food, but I notice that a small bubble of space is left around Lizzie and me. Considering I’m a nobody here, I have to wonder who this girl really is.

“Are you here with Tristan?” she asks, but not like she’s being judgmental, just curious.

“Not really,” I say, snatching a pi