Chapter 3

3

This weekend was Carter's college reunion.

I originally didn't want to go. But I was curious to see the girl Carter had been obsessed with for so many years.

By the time we arrived, the karaoke room was already lively.

Carter's friend Brody Lawson threw an arm around his neck. "What took you so long? Selene is back! Your waiting finally paid off, man."

Carter panicked and shoved Brody off him. "Don't talk nonsense."

"How is it nonsense? Everyone in our class knows how you feel about Selene."

As he spoke, Brody finally noticed me standing behind Carter.

He smirked and asked, "And who is this?"

Carter introduced me with awkward hesitation. "She's my girlfriend."

Brody froze. "Your girlfriend? Since when do you have a girlfriend? Weren't you waiting for Selene all these years?"

Carter's face darkened.

Just then, a stunningly bright and beautiful girl stepped out of the crowd. "Who got a girlfriend?"

Brody quickly said, "Selene, come here! Carter says he has a girlfriend, but I don't believe it."

The girl Carter had pined over for years finally revealed herself.

I had only seen her photos online before. Now, I was looking at her in person.

She was undeniably gorgeous. It was the kind of striking beauty that commanded attention.

No wonder Carter couldn't forget her.

Selene looked me up and down. Her eyes held doubt, but mostly hostility. "Carter, is she really your girlfriend?"

Carter opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty. "She…"

I forced a smile and spoke up. "I just came to grab something. I left something in this room last time."

Carter stared at me in absolute shock.

I knew he was looking at me, but I didn't meet his gaze.

I just kept my head down, staring at my shoes.

Brody asked, "What did you lose?"

I made something up on the spot. "…An earring."

"The cleaning lady was just in here before we arrived," Brody said. "We didn't see an earring. Maybe you should go ask her?"

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

I turned and walked away briskly.

Behind me, I could still hear Brody teasing Carter. "You just said that to make Selene jealous, didn't you? That poor girl just came to find her stuff and got used by you."

Then he turned his attention to Selene. "Look at how far you've pushed this guy. It's been so many years. You should finally make it official with him."

Selene's voice lost its defensive edge. She returned to her light, flirtatious tone. "Carter and I are just best friends. Don't go playing matchmaker."

Best friends?

I couldn't help but stop and glance back.

Carter was staring at Selene with sheer devotion.

But the moment she said the words "best friends," the light in his eyes died instantly.

He gave a bitter smile and played along. "Yeah, you guys misunderstood. Selene and I are just best friends."