Page 240 of The Grand Duel

She tips her head back to look at me, and I lean down, kissing her.

“Can I have my girlfriend back before you corrupt her like you did Scarlet,please?”

My nose brushes hers, her smile growing as we listen to the video.

“We didn’t corrupt,Scar.She was a closet freak,trust us.”

“Lis,” I hear myself say, and I drag my eyes back to the screen, watching as I stand in front of the camera with my hand held out to her.

Megan must have the camera because it pans to Lissie, her gaze on me.

Nina pokes her head around her to see the phone, her eyes widening.

I shake my head as Lissie’s laugh ripples through my chest.

Lissie takes my hand, and I lead her onto the terrace.

“I used to worry about him,” Megan says after a moment. “That he’d be so stuck in his ways and too busy making sure we were all okay to look after his own heart.”

“She’s perfect for him.”

“She’s obsessed with him,” Megan agrees, clearly watching us. “Maybe as much as he is with her.”

“I thought I’d hate her,” Nina mutters, honestly. “The woman he fell in love with.”

“Me,too,” Megan says. “But then I saw the way they looked at each other.”

Lissie’s hand smooths over my stomach and up to my chest as we listen.

I pull her tighter to me.

“I already know he’s gone,” Megan continues. “That anything that isn’t her wouldn’t be enough.”

“Megs,” Nina says.

“Oops.”

“It’s still recording.”

The camera flips to Megan’s face. Nina butts her head in. “Hi,Lissie baby.”

They laugh.

“Oh god,I’ll have to delete this.”

“No,leave it!We just love you,Lissie,” Nina coos. “We’re not weird or obsessed with you and your boyfriend.” She makes a face. “Much.”

“We’d also like to be bridesmaids,” Megan smiles, all teeth.

“I’m going to go find my husband,” Nina says, kissing Megan’s cheek. “You okay,Megs?”

“Go find your man.I’m going to find my Scar.”

The phone goes black and circles back to the start.

I can’t help but stare at the screen.

“You have the best friends in the whole world. You know that, don’t you?”