Page 103 of EX

Mary Beth laughs. “I did not know you needed to peel the bananas, okay?”

I laugh with her and push my sleeves down, covering my wrists.

“Okay, tonight,” Mary Beth says. “You and me. A night out.”

“No. Not tonight.”

“What?”

“I just… I’m exhausted.”

“Exhausted?” Mary Beth asks, lifting an eyebrow. “From what? Are those marks on your wrists really from bags of flour? Or is quiet little Chad secretly a wild fuck and he tied you up before he left?”

“Yup, you caught me. He tied my wrists and ankles and used a knife to tease and torture me.”

“Whoa,” Mary Beth says. “That went dark fast.”

“Sorry. Instead of watching chick flicks when I’m alone, I watch horror movies.”

“So you don’t want to hang out at all while I’m here?”

“Mary Beth…”

“Are you okay? For real? Give me something, Kate. I feel like you’re standing in front of me but you’re a mile away.”

“Life just gets, I don’t know, complacent? Is that even the right word?”

“Boredom?”

I shrug. “The same thing over and over.”

“Ut-oh.”

“This bakery, Mary Beth,” I say, knowing I can’t say a thing to her.

She’s my best friend… of what? From when? What is she now?

She’d never understand Corbin. She didn’t all those years ago. And him getting arrested—with me in the car as he sped away from police—only proved her hatred for him right.

“I want to own something,” I say. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Oh. Right. Yeah. I mean, you should. You totally should. Chad has money, right? Tell him to pony up some cash.”

“I’m working on it,” I say. “I’m sorry about last night. And tonight. I just…”

“I have a feeling this is where we admit we’re getting to be old ladies. No more going out drinking and flirting with hot guys.”

I shake my head.

At that exact moment I feel my phone vibrate.

When I seeDentiston the screen, I play it all cool and look at the text.

Tonight. Wear a dress. I want to see leg. I want to see cleavage. Then you’re going to find out what happens when someone looks at what I own. Since you’re so into my personal life now. Be ready.

“Chad?” Mary Beth asks.

I gasp. “What?”