NINETEEN: Taryn

NINETEEN

TARYN

Eggnog and spiced cookies for brunch? I need to talk to you about JamesASAP

Georgia

I’ve never seen that man a day in my life.

I know…I’ll introduce you to him later, but I think I love him, Georgia.

I twirl in front of the mirror, checking out my sleeveless black dress and matching stilettos.

I’ve been itching for James to return to the suite, but he’s still M.I.A.

Waiting until two-thirty, I grab my clutch and head downstairs to the dessert bar.

As I make a plate, a redheaded woman bumps me with her shoulder.

“Sorry,” she says. “I—Okay, I take that back. I’m not sorry.”

“Okay, then…” I reach for the strawberries.

“You look like you haven’t really aged that much,” she says. “I would give you another compliment, but I despise you.”

What? “Do I know you?”

“I’m sure your boyfriend does.”

“So the answer is no.”

I step around her to get to the truffles, but she follows, blocking me again.

“I’ve never appreciated being a scapegoat.”

“And I don’t appreciate conversations without context."

"He never wanted me like he wanted you and I need him to be honest with himself and get the fuck over it."

I make a mental note to ask Georgia if the abandoned asylum down the road has been renovated.

Maybe this woman escaped.

"I'm Lauren Goodman, Taryn," she says. "From high school, remember?"

“Not at all.” I shake my head. "I don't remember much of high school."

"Oh, that's right. You were in that awful train wreck…I bet you have tons of survivors’ guilt, huh?”

Okay, screw this . “I’m giving you two seconds to back the hell away from me," I say. "Otherwise I'll be gifting you a black eye."

"Good to see he's found someone as unrelentingly rude as he is." She stomps away, leaving me with a loss of appetite.

“You look beautiful.” Cameron suddenly grabs my waist from behind and spins me around. “Wow…”

What the hell?

“You’re looking like you’re surprised to see me.” He pulls me into a hug. “I’ve been tempted to come knock on your door.”

It’s good you didn’t . “I’ve just been really tired since the trip. Lots of heavy driving, you know.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” he says, letting me go. “Well, here we are together, year thirty and single.”

“Yeah. Year thirty…” I’m stunned that he’s found me. “Can I link up with you later? I’m here to grab brunch with Georgia.”

“Well, I just ran into Georgia and she said that I could talk to you first.”

“Yeah, I guess you and I should talk, too.” I look around. “Want to get a booth?”

“No, let’s do this someplace else.” He slips an arm around my waist and leads me away.“We have an important conversation looming.”

“Wait a second,” I say, not wanting to discuss anything about that pact.

Not now… “I need to check on something.”

“Is it that important?”

“Yes. I’ll be right back.” I turn away without another word.