Playing Hard to Get(90)

Daphne snaps her lips shut, slowly shaking her head. “That’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”

Oh shit. “It’s not?”

“No. But go you for trying to put me in my place. I could never work up the courage to do that to someone.” She leans against the counter, her gaze full of…admiration? “I just wanted to congratulate you.”

“Congratulate me?” My voice is faint. I really don’t know what direction she’s trying to take this.

“Yeah. I’ve been chasing after Knox for years and he barely gives me the time of day. He doesn’t take me seriously. No one does.” She sighs, resting her elbow on the counter and propping her chin on her fist. “But you nabbed him in a matter of weeks. Props to you, girl.”

I stare at her, shocked at her words. Her praise. “Um, thank you?”

“No problem.” She stands up straight, her arms dropping to her sides. “And no bad feelings, okay? I’m not out to get your man. I don’t play like that.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Her words truly shock me. “Thanks for being so upfront with me.”

“I’m just following your lead.” She tilts her head toward the clothing section. “When are you guys getting some new stuff?”

“New designs won’t come out until after winter break.” We keep getting the same complaints. At least they restocked sizes though.

“I knew you were going to say that.” She mock pouts. “Will you be at the game Saturday?”

“I will.” Just mentioning it reminds me that I’m going to meet Knox’s parents this weekend. Blair has already reassured me that I shouldn’t be worried, but I am. I don’t think they’re going to hate me or anything like that but…

It’s nerve-wracking, meeting the parents. Especially when I’m the first girl Knox has brought around to meet his family.

“See you there.” Daphne wags her fingers at me and leaves the store, her friends, who were lingering by the entrance, falling in step beside her.

“Please tell me she didn’t come in here to drop some tasty tips about how to satisfy Knox or whatever.” Leon magically reappears next to me behind the counter.

“She congratulated me on getting together with Knox.”

Leon’s brows shoot up. “No shit?”

“No shit,” I echo. “She’s actually…nice.”

“How refreshing.”

No kidding.





I enter Knox’s apartment without knocking. I just walk into his place like I live there, and no one ever protests or complains. And by no one, I mean Knox and, of course, his roommate, Cam.

Who just so happens to be sitting in the living room, his gaze locked on the TV, his arm stretched out across the back of the couch. Blair is perched on the edge of the couch to his left, just out of Cam’s reach.

I stop short, studying the two of them and the way too innocent expressions on their faces.

“Hey, you two.” I wave at them, shutting the door behind me.

“Hey.” Cam glowers at the TV. He’s watching some sort of action movie. There are cars racing and buildings exploding and good God is it loud.

Blair appears on the verge of tears. “Hi, Joanna.”

“How are you?” I draw closer to her, concern filling me when I swear I spot her chin wobbling.

Uh oh.

“I’ll let you ladies chat. Knox is in the shower. He’ll be out soon.” With that, Cam turns off the TV, rises from the couch and leaves us alone, slamming his bedroom door seconds later.

A sigh leaves Blair and she shakes her head. “He’s such a prick.”

“He is?” I’m surprised she’d say this. I thought she liked Cam.

Blair nods. “The worst, but please don’t mention this to Knox, okay? He doesn’t even know I’m here.”

Wait, what? “He doesn’t?”

She stands, grabbing her tiny bag that’s on the coffee table in front of her and slinging the skinny strap over her shoulder. “I need to go.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?” I follow her to the front door, shocked that she’s leaving.

I seriously have no idea what’s going on.

“There’s nothing to talk about. And please…” Blair turns to face me, her eyes wide and unblinking. “Please, don’t mention this to my brother. It’s really none of his business.”

With that, she exits the apartment, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.

Well, I feel like I walked in on some major drama, yet I have no clue what happened. And how am I going to keep this from Knox? If something is going on between his best friend—his roommate—and his little sister, he would want to know.

But I hate to start unnecessary drama when it could be nothing. I don’t want to go against Blair’s wishes either. She’s my friend.

Moving through the apartment, I pass by Cam’s room—pretty sure I can feel his anger radiating through the closed door—and enter Knox’s bedroom, closing the door behind me, twisting the lock in place.

That’s what Cam and Blair should’ve done. Locked the front door, so no one could barge in on them like I just did.