Buried Wishes ✔

Chapter 7: Insert Pork Sword Here ↓

~ [Evelyn] ~

My thumbs danced around on the screen of my phone as Charlie the annoying prof droned on and on about his new cat. I sat facing the two guys I'm torn between, but my eyes remained glued to the device in my hand.

Me: So are you guys going out again?

The thought bothered me so much I didn't even try to use an emoji like I usually did. After listening to me yesterday, Liam took her out to dinner and on a stroll along Downtown Disney to watch the fireworks. The thing that bothered me was... we did that first.

It was junior year and it was a group thing but Liam and I broke off to stare at the candy makers decorate the candied apples. We came really close to kissing that night, but didn't. I bet he and Harper kissed... She probably really likes him by now.

Harper: Yeah. He said next time we hang out will be a surprise! 👍👍

A small smile reached my lips as I looked up at Liam, who was listening to the mindless chatter of the rest of the class.

Me: Do you like him? We can stop this whole thing and you can actually date him, you know.

Almost immediately, I got a text back.

Harper: NO. He was still a dickbag for laughing at you. I don't care if he panicked. That was stupid of him and he never got to see how broken you were. I'm doing this. 👌💯

I loved Liam, but he clearly only wants to be friends. So maybe if he fell in love with Harper, I could be happy for them? Maybe, because it was Harper, my life and soul savior, I could cope with losing Liam, because I'd know that they deserve each other. They're both amazing and they should be together. Internal sigh.

Me: Alright, but one of these days, you're gonna have to admit that you like him. 😒

Harper: Nahhh. I'm better than that. 😎💁

After class, I walked out of class with the intention of heading home and napping, but I felt Liam wrap his arm around my shoulders. He smelled nice, a woodsy, musky scent that distracted me for a moment.

"Hellooo," Liam spoke in my ear, "Earth to Evelyn. We come in peace."

"Huh? What?" I turned to face him and our noses are inches apart.

"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by your zoning-out, I have no work today and Mason insists on showing you his place so you won't think he's a hobo," he informed me.

"I'll text you my address," Mason said excitedly beside me. I watched as he widened his grin when he saw that I was looking. I reached over to pinch his cheek, but he rested his hand on mine before I could. The warmth of his palm touched my skin for only a second, but it felt like forever, and I didn't mind.

"I bet you live in some rich people palace," I said with my lids low, "Meanwhile I live in a crappy building behind the only gothic-looking Chipotle in existence." I scowled at the thought and he laughed.

"Maybe you should be spending more time over at my place if it's such a 'rich people palace.' I'll let you swim in the pool lined with gold and sip on thousand dollar wine," he drawled sardonically.

"As long as I get my own butler," I yelled at him with a grin as we split up to head toward our own cars.

~o~

I parked my car in front of a modern luxury apartment building and sat there for what seemed like forever. All weekend, I thought of Liam and what he had said. Mason was in love with me. One of the nicest guys I've ever met was in love with me, while I was obsessing over his best friend.