Chapter 50 Yes, I'll be your girlfriend
June
I couldn't apologize. Leila didn't even give me the chance. She left before I woke up, and now the weight of it presses on my chest. How am I supposed to fix this?
And Chris-God, Chris. His confession still hangs in my head like a thread twisted through the eye of a needle, stuck and impossible to ignore. I wish I hadn't read it.
Sure, finding out he had a thing for me was... flattering, even exciting in a way. But to actually confess? I didn't expect that. I thought we'd take our time, get to know each other better before anything like that.
Isn't it too fast? Maybe not. Maybe it's just because Chris actually knows what he wants-unlike a certain someone. How dare he even transfer-
"Is this shade of red suitable for you?" Lia's voice finally cuts through my thoughts. She's been asking me the same question for who knows how long.
"Uh," I answer absent-mindedly, catching a glimpse of my half-done face in Lia's dressing mirror.
Lia groans. "Oh my God, June. What is going on in that head of yours? Since you came to my humble abode, you've been zoning out."
"I'm sorry," I say quickly.
She drops the lipstick on the table and swivels her chair toward me. "No, really. What's bothering you? Money issues? Work?" She threads her fingers through mine, her tone softening. "I know we're still new at this whole friendship thing, but you can tell me anything."
Her voice-gentle, coaxing-sounds so much like Leila's that it aches. Oh. How I wish Leila would forgive me.
"It's nothing," I mutter with a small smile, then point at the second lipstick. "Let's try this one."
Lia sighs but picks it up and carefully applies the shade to my lips. She leans back, eyes bright. "Wow. Gorgeous. That one was made for you."
I press my lips together, staring at the reflection. Yeah. It does suit me.
"Lia," I whisper, lowering my gaze.
"Yes?" She leans closer, suddenly serious. "You don't like it?"
My lashes flutter upward, hesitating before I let it out. "Chris asked me out."
Her jaw drops instantly, her eyes widening.
"He finally said it!" she cries, her voice echoing off the walls. "Well, that took forever. Have you answered him yet?" Excitement glimmers in her gaze.
I drop my eyes, mumbling a soft no. "I haven't answered his text."
"A text?" Lia's pitch rises, her arms crossing like a schoolteacher. "Who confesses their love with a text message?"
I don't reply. I don't find it weird - if anything, I'm grateful. If Chris had confessed face-to-face and I sat there frozen, tangled up in indecision the way I am now, it would have shattered him. So a text was safer.
"Can I see it?" she asks, though her hand is already outstretched, palm open in demand.
I unlock my phone, scroll to the message, and pass it over as if under a spell. There's something about the way Lia speaks - authoritative, but not in a bad way. She doesn't really ask; she commands, and somehow I always obey.
"For a moment I saw you..." she begins, reading it aloud at lightning speed before I can stop her.
She hands the phone back with a wrinkle of her nose. "A little cringy. Cheeky, but sincere." Her gaze sharpens. "So why haven't you answered?"
My lips part, an excuse hovering there, but Lia cuts me off with a sharp gasp.
"Wait-do you not love him?"
Her voice cracks, disbelief thick in it. She begins pacing the small space, muttering to herself. "I thought you liked him back. That's why you said yes to being his plus one, isn't it?" She stops abruptly, hands planted on her hips, glaring like a detective cornering her suspect.
I scratch the bridge of my nose, suddenly itchy, before our eyes finally meet.
Well. I didn't technically accept because I liked him. That was a spur-of-the-moment answer, a petty way to get back at Mr. Grande for talking down to me. I didn't think it would be interpreted any other way.
"Are you going to reject him then?" she asks again, her eyes widening.
"No, no," I say quickly, springing to my feet. "I'm not doing that. He loves me, and I... like him back." I clutch her hands, biting my lip. "I just think it's a little rushed, and that worries me."
Lia exhales softly, squeezing my fingers. "Then tell him to wait. If he truly loves you, like he said in that text, he'll wait." She lets go of my hand, sits back down, and smooths my hair with practiced care. "I know he's my friend, but I wouldn't rush you into a decision."
I nod slowly, staring at my reflection in the mirror. "Alright, but..." I glance at her, frowning. "What do I even say when he comes to pick us up?"
Lia shrugs, working the gel into my sleek-backed hair. "Say you fell asleep, or that you wanted to answer him face to face."
"I want to give him my answer after the gala," I murmur. "It'll be more romantic." That's the plan, at least. I still have time to think until then.
Lia's grin blooms across the mirror. "You two are going to be so cute, sneaking around because of company policy."
I whip my head toward her. "Wait. Company policy? What do you mean by that?"
"Huh-" she lets out a soft chuckle. "For starters, I don't think Scott would appreciate two members of his team making out in his office. And technically, we're not supposed to date co-workers. At least, that's what I've gathered." She shrugs, leaning closer to fix my blush. "But don't worry. Plenty of employees are secretly dating. You just have to keep it hidden. Wouldn't it be more exciting that way?" Her grin turns teasing.
"Yeah, I guess," I answer with a nervous smile. I hadn't known about that policy. Is that why Mr. Grande acts like he doesn't remember that night? But he is-
"All done," Lia announces brightly, cutting off my thoughts. "Let's dress you up."
Thirty minutes later, Lia and I were already dressed and dolled up.
"We really do look beautiful, don't you think?" Lia said, adjusting her necklace in the mirror.
"Here-let me help you with that," I offered, seeing her fumble with the clasp.
She smiled and handed it over. "Chris is a good man," she said softly, turning her back to me.
"I know."
"And I'm really glad you requested the smoky eye makeup. You look so cool and daring."
I laughed, fastening the necklace. "All done. That's the intention," I said with a smirk.
That's the intention.
~~
As we step out of the house, Tobias is leaning against Chris's car, the streetlight catching his suit just right. My heart stumbles in my chest-damn, he looks sharp. No, not tonight. My eyes are only for Chris. No more Tobias or Mr. Grande, just Chris, however rushed it may feel. This is me moving forward.
"Well, well. The ladies are looking gorgeous," Tobias claps his hands together, straightening from the car.
"Oh, please," Lia rolls her eyes, brushing past him, "Gorgeous is too small for a compliment." She hugs him lightly before slipping into the back seat. "And I told you I picked the right suit."
Tobias chuckles, then his gaze slides to me. It lingers. "I think I've just seen two versions of June today," he says softly. "And this one's... stunning."
Heat crawls up my neck. I tap lightly on my now itchy nose. "You don't look so bad yourself," I murmur, and turn quickly toward the car door, searching for safe ground. "Where's Chris?"
"Right behind you," comes the voice.
I spin so fast my heels nearly trip me. Chris is there, holding a single rose, his smile small but steady. My chest tightens-too many words I owe him.
"Hi," I manage, breathless, already scrambling for an excuse for why I never answered his confession.
"I brought this," he says, offering me the rose. His eyes flicker toward the car, where Tobias is already climbing inside, then back to me. "Shall we?"
"Thank you," I whisper, taking the flower and sliding in quickly.
He doesn't mention the text, or ask why I didn't reply. He just leaves it hanging between us. Now that's a relief.
\---
My jaw drops slightly as I take in the magnificent interior of the gala venue. It's huge, dazzling, too polished to be real. The chandeliers glitter like galaxies, cameras flash endlessly, and every table gleams with expensive wine and crystal glasses. Waiters glide between guests in perfectly pressed uniforms. A small orchestra swells in the corner, each note cascading through the hall.
"Okay, the new CEO has taste," Lia mutters, twirling around to take it all in. "Way classier than last year or the year before that. I've got to give it to him."
I nod absently, my gaze snagging on the golden decorations-until it lands on him
Mr. Grande. His hand is no longer bandaged. He looks... dangerous in a suit, like he owns every inch of this glittering room. I should look away-I promised myself I wouldn't-but my eyes stick like glue, and then I see her. Lottie, striding up with that same girl I once spotted at the escalator.
My stomach instantly ties to knots.
"Are you okay?" Chris asks softly, noticing the way my breath hitches.
I force a smile. "Yeah. Just nervous."
I tell myself not to look again, I swear, but my eyes betray me. One last glance-just one-and I see it.
The girl, not Lottie – leaning in, pressing her lips against Mr. Grande's neck.
My lungs seizes immediately, and the noise of the gala muffles to nothing, like someone cut the soundtrack of my life.
At that moment, I don't think, or breathe. I just reach for Chris's hand, sliding my fingers through his, anchoring myself to something-someone-else. I lean close, my lips brushing his ear, and whisper the words before I can take them back:
"Yes. I'll be your girlfriend."