Page 66 of You Again

“Rosalie?”

I thrust my hand into Zev’s, willing his Zev magic to calm me immediately. “Is this okay?” I swallow, my throat dry, holding up his hand that I have suction cupped to my own. “For our story.”

His eyes drop to knotted fists. “Yeah, it’s okay.” He adjusts our hold, lacing his fingers through mine. Warmth spreads over my left hand and I instantly feel better. I’m so grateful I’m not alone. He’s giving me hope that I just might avoid a panic attack today.

With his other hand, Zev cups my cheek. “Hey, it’s going to be all right. I’m here. Okay?”

I nod in his hold, certain he can feel my pulse thrumming through our clasped hands.

We walk toward the pair, and Margo waves. Why couldn’t she do me a favor and forget all about me?

I fill my lungs with air and hold to Zev’s hand. It’s going to be fine. She and Robert clearly don’t know about my accident. And because of that accident I don’t really understand the feelings of being a person that Margo betrayed.

Still, when Margo, the stranger, holds out her arms as if to hug me, I pretend that I do understand those feelings.

I muster my pride, and nod at her. No hugs from the stranger who makes my best friend wary.

“Hey, Rose.” Robert leans in, kissing my cheek. I’m not sure he even notices Zev whose hand I still clutch. Robert sounds like he’s always sounded—as if he adores me. He absolutely does not sound like a man who cheated on his girlfriend. And yet his tone changes with— “You remember Margo.”

I grin a little too widely. My breath catches, but with Zev next to me, I recover. “I do. I remember her so, so clearly.”

Zev squeezes my hand, not even realizing how much strength he’s giving me right now. He’s the one person here that I do see clearly. He’s also the one person who truly doesn't know either of these people.

“Oh! Right!” I bare my teeth and grin. I look up to Zev, who is somehow taller than Robert. And Robert Pattinson is tall—six feet two inches. “This is my boyfriend, Zev. Zev, you remember Robert.”

Zev lifts his chin. He is determined to be unfriendly.

“And this is his wife, Mar—go.” I say—almost like a human. Almost like my brain isn’t broken and my nerves aren’t threatening to spiral.

Margo has learned her lesson and holds out a hand to shake Zev’s. No attempts at a hug this go-around. However, Zev’s right hand is locked in my left. He lifts our knotted fists as if to say he won’t be touching her today.

He’s being grumpy on purpose.

This isn’t his normal disposition.

Maybe he’s been talking to Fran. She would have told him that we very much dislike Margo. And I suppose I should dislike her too. But really, she only makes me anxious. She’s just another person who knows me that I don’t know. And normally I avoid those people like the plague on steroids.

Margo’s hand crumples into a fist, falling to her side. “So, um, what do you do, Zev?”

Did I say we should wing it? Did I say no one would ask questions about us? Ugh. We are not prepared for such things. Nerves rise in my gut (I blame Margo) and I blurt, “He’s a banker!”

Zev’s gaze drops to me. “I’m a banker?”

Huh. I suppose I could have let him answer that question. Too late now. “Yes. You are, sweetie.” Playfully, I elbow Zev in the ribs. It’s awkward as he won’t let go of my hand. I wrinkle my nose. “He doesn’t like to brag. Do you, sweetie?” Because I have one pet-name in my vocabulary and apparently I plan to use it all night.

Zev’s thick brows lift as he peers down at me. “About banking? No, I do not.”

“I thought you played soccer,” Robert says, his nose scrunched and his lip curled.

Well, crap. That’s right. I already lied once about Zev’s job, and it happened to be to Robert.

“He does. He is a soccer-playing banker.” I swallow down the lie, and I’m pretty lucky that I don’t choke or fall into a full-blown panic.

“Interesting,” Margo says, sitting beside Robert. Am I imagining it, or is he watching me? I swear the man hasn’t looked away from me once.

Zev and I sit, too. I’m not sure what to do about Robert’s relentless stare. So, I grin at him, and he grins right back—just like he always did.

“What about you, Robbie?” Zev says, and both Robert and I turn our attention to Zevulun. In fact, I’m pretty sure he called Robert that just to get him to look away from me.