“You wish!” I grinned, my nose twitching.
For the first time, Nica didn’t have a retort, and it felt good. I felt like I’d won some kind of unspoken game we’d been playing. Her lips pinched together, her nose scrunching, and I matched it. I leaned forward slightly, aware we weren’t alone outside, but still feeling proud of my victory. She matched my energy regardless.
Even when Mackenzie came outside, breaking Nica’s attention away from me, I still wore a proud little smirk.
Then Cole had to go and open his mouth.
My expression fell along with Nica’s shoulders. I didn’t have to see the hurt on her face to hear it in her voice. She hit her vape one more time before going back inside. I followed after her, shooting a glare at Cole as I went. I made it a point to catch his eye, to mak
