Page 36 of Score
“Making it easy for you. It was obvious the first night there was something there with you two. Didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out you were into her. You barely took your eyes off her at that party.”
That’s probably true. I don’t comment, but wait to see where this is going.
“She’s a great girl,” Petra continues, the usual mischievous glint leaving her eyes. “Be good to her.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. You don’t have to worry about her.”
“I do sometimes.” Petra slides her glance away for a second before looking back to me. “When she first got here, she was still finding her way, ya know? Whatever happened at USC had her kind of fucked up.”
Verity told me she was under a lot of pressure her junior year out in Cali and ended up having to withdraw, but it’s always obvious she doesn’t want to discuss it. I’ve never pressed.
“What are you saying?” I ask more sharply than I’d intended because I’m losing my patience with this veiled discussion. “Or not saying?”
“She’s brilliant and beautiful and hilarious once she feels comfortable, but she can be fragile, too. Just make sure she takes care of herself.”
“And because you were with her for what? Two months? You think you can tell me how to take care of my girl?”
“And how long you been with her?” Petra twists her lips. “Four? Ididfuck her first—”
“Okay. I’m out.” I move to walk past her, but she puts a staying hand on my arm.
“Wait.” Something close to contrition lurks beneath the humor she doesn’t bother to hide. “I’m sorry. Just messing with you.”
I stop and look at her in the eyes directly. “You may have liked sharing her, but I won’t.”
“I know that. She told me she was with you now. She made it clear you two have a different setup.”
“Very different.”
“I respect that.” She chuckles and shakes her head. “You got it bad, and I don’t blame you. Verity’s great. She’s not made for what I need, and I’m not made for what she needs long term, so you got nothing to worry about.”
Some of the tension leaves my shoulders. Idohave it bad, but as long as I have Verity, I don’t care. I don’t get the chance to tell Petra that because Verity walks into the club and approaches us, her eyes pinging between her ex and me with undisguised curiosity.
“Hey,” she says, and slips an arm around my waist. “Sorry I’m late. I was at the library.”
“I texted that I would come get you.” I frown. “Did you walk here?”
“It was fine.” Verity turns her smile on Petra and goes in for a hug. “How you doing, girl? Haven’t seen you in weeks.”
“I know.” Petra gives her a squeeze and pulls back. “Been a minute.”
“Is Randi with you?” Verity looks around the club.
“Yeah, she’ll be back in a sec,” Petra says. “I was just telling Monk here he better take care of you.”
Verity laughs up at me and leans into my shoulder. “We take care of each other.”
“Monk, I feel like you owe me at least a finder’s fee,” Petra says with a sly grin.
Verity smothers a laugh behind her hand and tries to look innocent.
God, these two.
“Now you pushing it.” I tighten my arm around Verity and manage a smile while the two of them giggle at my expense. “Ready, Vee?”
“Yeah.” Verity squeezes Petra’s arm. “Tell Randi hey for me.”
“Remember what I said, maestro.” Petra’s smile is belied by the touch of concern in her eyes.
