“You look pale,” Mom clucked, placing a hand to my forehead. “No fever. Did you eat today?”
“Yes.”
“Well good. Hope you saved room because I have a new chicken recipe!”
When she turned around I glared at the chicken on the counter. “Actually I have homework.” I stepped backward toward the door.
“I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
I went to get my book bag, wondering how to get out of eating the newest chicken delight. My cell phone rang, and I reached into my pocket silencing the generic ring. “Hello?”
“He sent flowers.”
“What kind?”
“Roses. Pink. They’re too pretty to throw away.”
I smiled. “He really is sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough,” Kimber’s voice wavered.
I sighed, throwing my book bag onto my bed. “I guess it isn’t.” But why couldn’t it be?
“What are you doing?”
“Homework and trying to get out of another chicken dinner.”
“Want to go grab a Panini and an iced coffee?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. I was still a little on edge from our trip to the mall earlier.
“Come on, Hev. If I don’t get out of here I’ll go crazy looking at these flowers all night.”
“I don’t know. Mom might not let me because I missed Bible study.” For once I might be grateful of Mom’s strict rules.
“Leave that to me.”
Before I could question her plans, she hung up the phone.
The doorbell rang ten minutes later, and I heard Kimber’s voice downstairs. I rolled my eyes and went to see what she was up to.
“It’s just awful, Mrs. Montgomery! He broke up with me!” Kimber sobbed at my mother.
“Maybe it’s better this way, dear. You’re too young for a boyfriend.” Mom reached out and patted Kimber’s shoulder.
I bit my tongue trying not to laugh.
“Maybe you’re right,” Kimber agreed seriously. “Can Heven come have dinner with me? It would make me feel better.”
“Why don’t you come in and have dinner with us? We’re having chicken.”
Kimber stepped into the house glancing at me. “Chicken sounds wonderful, but I was hoping we could go to the library too.” She hung her head. “I kind of need help with my chemistry.”
Mom nodded. “All right then.” Before turning away she patted Kimber again. “With no boyfriend you’ll have more time to study.”
Kimber nodded gravely and wiped at her eyes. When Mom turned away, she grinned. I stifled a laugh.
“That was quite the performance,” I told Kimber once we were in the car.
She grinned. “I knew it would work.”
At the café on Main Street we settled into a corner booth with our drinks: a mocha latte for Kimber and a hot green tea for me. My nerves were already shot from my dream and our trip to the mall, so I figured the less caffeine I drank, the better.
“I’ve decided what to do about Cole.”
“You have?”
“I’m going to give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“What do you mean?” Although I was afraid I already knew.
“I’m going to make him jealous.” She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“It’s perfect.”
“He’s really sorry, Kimber. He’s already miserable.”
“He’s the one who cheated,” she snapped.
Our Panini’s arrived, and we were silent for a minute. Kimber picked at her chips, pushing them around on her plate. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too. I didn’t mean to make it sound like he’s innocent.”
“It really hurts, Hev,” she whispered, leaning across the table. “He really hurt me.”
“I know.” I’d never seen her so down.
“Why would he do that?”
“He told me that it was a bet.”
“What?” she exclaimed.
“He said he did it for the money. He wanted to get you something really nice for your birthday.”
Kimber laughed without humor. “He cheated on me…for me?”
I shrugged. I thought it ridiculous too. I watched her green eyes narrow, and she smiled.
“Kimber, what are you thinking?”
She picked up a chip and popped it into her mouth. “Payback’s a bitch.”
“You’re serious? You’re going to kiss another guy to make him jealous?”
“No.” She sipped her latte.
“Then…?”
“I’m going to date someone to make him jealous.”
“What? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“When I’m done, Cole will never cheat on me again.”
“So you’re going to forgive him?”
She sighed, and her green eyes melted. “Yeah, I love him.” Then her voice rose, and her eyes hardened. “But he needs to be taught a lesson. One he won’t ever forget.”
I took a sip of my tea, trying to figure what I should say. I didn’t think this was a good idea, but saying so would make her angry. She’d already accused me of choosing his side over hers. She was my best friend, my only friend since the accident – well, except for Cole.
“Who do you plan to make him jealous with?”
She pursed her lips, thinking. “He has to be hot, popular, and have a car.”
“It can’t be one of his friends,” I cautioned.
“He has a lot of friends,” Kimber complained. “Why does he have to be so popular?”
“Yeah, why couldn’t you be dating an ugly, clumsy nerd?” I wondered sarcastically.
Kimber laughed. “It would make it easier.”
We lapsed into silence. I surprised myself by eating a few bites of my Panini. It was pretty good. Kimber was staring off behind me, her attention caught by something or someone. I didn’t turn around; I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.
“Too bad he doesn’t go to our school.”
“Who?”
“That guy over there. He definitely has what it takes to make Cole insane with jealousy.”
I resisted the urge to turn and see for myself.
“He’s totally hot. Look,” she urged. “I haven’t seen him around before.”
Slowly, I peeked around the back of the booth. He was standing near the counter, waiting for his coffee with his back turned. He was tall, well-built without being bulky, and the back of his head held shaggy, dark blond hair. When I kept looking Kimber whispered, “Told you.”