He Loved My Fake Self Chapter 05

He Loved My Fake Self Chapter 05

It took me an entire day to force myself into accepting reality.

By evening, I’d washed my face, thrown on zero makeup, and headed to the restaurant.

When I got there, Jolene and her friends were in the bathroom. Peyton sat alone at the table.

He glanced up, barely nodded, then pulled his hands off the table and shifted his body away from me. Like I was a threat.

My heart still skipped.

I couldn’t help it. My brain flickered back to the old messages.

[I think I ran into that stray cat you were feeding yesterday. Was that her?

[Thanks for listening last night. You still not gonna show me what you look like?

[Don’t cry. Guys like that—just stay away from them. They take advantage of people who are too nice.]

…

Jolene came back then, friends swarming around her.

The second she spotted me, her smile froze.

“Clover… you should’ve texted. I would’ve come get you.”

Peyton pulled her close, voice warm and easy. “She’s an adult. She doesn’t need an escort. You’re on your period. Take care of yourself for once.”

He pressed a green thermos into her hands.

“Hot apple cider.”

Their friends squealed. Jolene blushed and batted her lashes.

“Is this green cup yours?” she asked.

Then, without waiting for an answer, she plucked a slice of pineapple from the fruit platter and lifted it to his lips.

“Peyton, you’re so good to me.”

He didn’t move.

Awkward silence stretched. She nudged the pineapple closer.

“He’s allergic.” The words almost slipped out of my mouth.

Peyton’s eyes went dark for half a second.

Then the mask clicked back on. He smiled and ate the pineapple straight from her fingers.

“Thanks, baby.”