Beautifully Cruel (Beautifully Cruel #1)(39)

I feel guilty for thinking it, but I’ll be glad when they break up again.

In the meantime, I need to buy myself ear plugs so I can get some sleep.

“God no. They never leave Texas.”

“Really? Why not?”

“My dad’s claustrophobic. He can’t get on a plane or he starts to bellow like an elephant. And my mom won’t go anywhere and leave him home alone, because he’ll either burn down the house trying to fix himself a meal or let Daisy sleep with him in their bed.”

Carla stares at me for a beat. “Please tell me Daisy is a dog.”

“She’s a donkey.”

She mutters, “How did I know that?” and walks away.

I call after her, “You asked!”

Smiling, I head into the back. Diego’s at the grill in the kitchen. He lifts his chin at me as I pass, but doesn’t say anything.

We haven’t spoken much since I started back at work. He’s kept his distance, which I’m grateful for. After that hug he gave me, along with the threat against Liam, I’m still uncomfortable around him. I think he must sense it, because his usual playfulness is gone.

In the break room, I hang my apron in my locker and change my shoes. Then I put on my coat—I still don’t know what happened to the one I was wearing the night I was attacked—and grab my purse.

When I turn around, Diego is lounging against the door frame, looking at the floor.

His voice muted, he says, “I owe you an apology.”

I’m so surprised, I only stare at him for a moment.

He glances up and sends me a small smile. “I was out of line. Saying that thing about the vato in black. You know.”

About how you’d kill him? Yeah, I know. “It was, um, a little unexpected.”

His smile turns wry. “It freaked you out.”

I return his smile. “To be fair, I was freaked out in general.”

He sighs and pushes off the door frame. “Yeah. It was bad timing. And bad manners, too. Me being a macho dick was, like, the last thing you needed to deal with. I’m really sorry.”

I’m touched. He’s being very sweet, and I can tell he’s sincere. He looks like a little boy who got yelled at for stealing a cookie.

“Apology accepted,” I say warmly. “And now let’s never talk about it again.”

He examines my face for a moment, then breaks into a genuine smile. “Deal.”

There’s a moment of awkward silence before he asks, “You headed home?”

I nod. “Yes, but not to bed, unfortunately. I’ve got a paper due tomorrow that I totally spaced on.”

He crinkles his forehead. “Didn’t you already have finals?”

My chuckle is dry. “Yeah, but there’s one professor who thinks he’s not doing his job unless his students are miserable. We’re going to be working like dogs straight up until the last minute of the last day of class on Friday.”

“That sucks. When’s your graduation ceremony?”

“The week after. But I’m not going.”

Diego looks surprised. “Why not? You’ve worked so hard.”

“For one thing, I hate big crowds. They give me hives. I skipped my college graduation, too. All that fuss and attention…” I shudder. “And my family isn’t coming out, so there’s really no point.”

He furrows his brow. “Well, that’s not right. We have to celebrate your accomplishment. Why don’t we get dinner? Make it a special night.”

I freeze. Then I start to panic, my stomach twisting and my mouth going dry. “Um…Diego, I hope this doesn’t offend you, but I don’t think that would be a good idea. You and I—”

He says smoothly, “I meant with Carla and Buddy. Your roommate, too, if you want. The more the merrier, right?”

I say hesitantly, “That sounds nice.”

He grins, flashing a set of perfect white teeth. “Cool. You let me know where and how many, and I’ll make the reservation.”

“Thanks, Diego.”

“Anything for you, chica.”

He turns and saunters off, leaving me staring after him with a strange tightness in my chest and the feeling that a group date wasn’t what he had in mind at all.



I was right: the last week of school is grueling.

I don’t have time to do anything other than study, work, go to classes, and study some more. I apply for several different internships at local law firms because I’m not 100% sure I’ll pass the bar the first time, and the experience would be good for my resume.

Thoughts of Liam linger in the back of my head, but I’m busy enough that I can mostly ignore them.

Except at night.

Lying in bed, I stare at the ceiling and listen to Ellie and Tyler have wild sex while imagining it’s me and Liam.

It’s torture. I wonder if I’m being punished for something terrible I did in a former life.

But she’s glowing with happiness, so I act like a good friend and keep my mouth shut about how her amazing sex life is killing me. She’d just tell me I’m jealous, anyway.

She’d be right.

The Saturday after school ends is when I asked Diego to make the reservations for dinner at a local hot spot that I’ve never been to before. Ellie suggested the place. Carla and her husband are coming, and so are Ellie and Ty. Buddy declined, so that leaves six of us.