of it and bit back her words. She decided to let Ryan cling to

t. That was my mistake. Clearly, Kailey's not the one for

the pair made a perfect match: one over-confident, one cunning. Part of

at showdown brought a

istant. "I have other things to handle, so I'll leave you

her expression unreadable. Then, slipping right back into her p

wasted no time in calling Kyson t

ill has feelings for Ryan. Are you r

at by his window, city lights shimmering in h

e desk, his voice low and steady. "I'll finish u

ra arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly

s coming next left

his phone between his fingers. Then he opened his messages and sent a

led into the car whe

p but smile as s

amazing-I didn't feel a thing

erful emoji for

replied, "If it helps, you should keep going back. Nora's alway

only grew. She felt even more at eas

ou come by, we should

curled into a quiet smile, his eyes

ter, until Kailey's phone flashed a low battery war

to get some rest and start pa

as she looked around her room. It was time to sort

ia would care to see them again, so she'd have t

ade it home. She plugged in her phone, then got lost in

irs to call her for dinner did she r

headed down the stairs

r said, studying her face with concern. "Kailey, why not just have a real conversation wit

Sure enough, her screen was filled with mis

notifications and replied quietl

entle, heartfelt warning. "You're still young. You'll meet so many more

apped her arms around the woman's sho

e past behind. Whatever happened in Ryan's w

e number of a local charity library, and arran

her phone lit up with

e just inviting close friends for now. The big party wi

ch a personal invitation, Kailey knew she had to a

tter? Ryan's presence didn't change her own worth. She had nothing to be

the nearest shopping center, searching f

given led her to a c

the living room was alread

all seemed to know about the recent rift between her and Ryan. As she stepped in

n hers. "Pay no attention to them, Kailey. People here love to gossi

one light. "It's alright. The

er falling out with Ryan over an

n, then sighed. "I really thought he

re and sweet as Kailey, someone he'd cared for since she was small. It was difficult

that way. I'm done chasing after something that isn't mine. Let's not dw

od was genuine. With a playful flick to Kailey's nose,

nto Kailey's mind, and her answer came with

but before she could ask, a familiar voi

chest. She turned and met Ryan's stor