Now That I've Found You - Kristina Forest Page 0,76

you with Adrian.” Raf wiggles his eyebrows. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a crush on my cousin? I could have helped you out.”

Ben snorts. “Yeah, sure.”

Raf lowers his voice to a whisper. “But did you see Milo and Evie? As much as I’m against dating celebrities or whatever, I like her.”

I roll my eyes and try not to laugh. Now I can die happy knowing that I have Raf’s approval.

“I like her too,” Ben says, finally looking up from his book. He smiles at Raf. “She’s cool.”

“Imagine how Milo will tell that story,” Raf continues. He deepens his voice so that he sounds like Milo. “I used to deliver groceries for Evelyn Conaway, and then one day she said she’d hook my band up with a music connect if I hung out with her granddaughter for a few days and made sure she didn’t do anything out of control.”

“Wait … what?” I go completely still, but somehow my mouth manages to move. I’m sure I’ve misheard him. But I start to feel nauseous as Raf and Ben turn to look in my direction, shocked.

“What did you just say?” I ask, slowly walking into the living room.

Ben’s eyes widen, and he closes his book.

Raf’s mouth falls open. “Evie, uh, hey, good morning! I thought you were asleep.” He starts to get up. “Do you want some cereal? We have Lucky Charms and Cheerios and—”

“Please repeat what you just said.” I shake my head, trying to make sense of this. “Please.”

Raf catches his breath, and his smile finally fades. “Your grandma,” he says. “She said she’d help Milo out if he kept an eye on you … I thought you knew. I thought that’s why you always looked like you didn’t really want to be around.”

“No.” There’s a dull buzzing sound in my ears, like static on a television. “I didn’t know.”

Raf sits there, blinking. “I’m so sorry.”

All those times Milo insisted on coming places with me because he didn’t want me to go alone, because he wanted to make sure I was okay. Because he was concerned about Gigi too. He said he just wanted to help. Those were lies.

And before the gala, I asked if his roommates knew anything about Gigi being gone. He said no. Another lie. Gigi asked him to keep an eye on me, like I’m a child who can’t be trusted.

I’m not a liar. That’s something you should know about me now.

But that was the biggest lie of all.

Oh my God.

The sympathetic look on Ben’s face make me want to break into a run.

“I have to go,” I say, abruptly turning and walking toward the door. I need to get out of here.

“Evie,” Ben says faintly, “don’t leave yet.”

“Hey, hey, wait,” Raf calls.

I’m pounding down the hallway steps, but I feel like I’m moving in slow motion, trying to run underwater. I burst through the door and inhale the muggy air. I lean back against the brick wall, squeezing my eyes closed. I think I’m going to be sick.

I won’t cry here. With shaky hands, I pull out my phone to call a car to take me back to Gigi’s, but I drop my phone right away. I bend down, fighting back sobs.

It happened again. I let someone get close to me just to be used. When will I learn? How stupid can I be? Apparently, very. Very, very stupid.

The door swings open, and Milo steps outside. He’s not wearing any shoes.

“What are you doing out here?” he asks, moving toward me. Instinctively, I take a step back, and he freezes. “What’s wrong?”

“You can drop the act, Milo.” My hands continue to shake as I fumble around with my phone. “No need to babysit anymore.”

“What are you talking about?” he asks. This time he does move forward, ignoring my iciness.

“You were using me!” I burst. “That’s what’s going on.” I think of how he kissed me, how right it felt. But none of it was real. I swipe angrily at the tears sliding down my cheeks. “You kept insisting that you just wanted to help me out of the kindness of your heart, but really you were only keeping an eye on me because Gigi said she’d hook you up with that music guy. Why’d you kiss me? Because you figured it would distract me? Well, bravo, Milo. You’re a pretty good liar after all.”

He shakes his head, agonized, but I don’t believe it. Not for one minute. “I almost told you last night,