Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
She shrugs. “I love Colin, but we’re young still. I don’t want to inhibit him from going out or having fun at uni. That won’t be fair.”
“Wow.” I grab a dishcloth and dry my hands. “That’s very selfless of you.”
“I want what’s best for both of us.”
“Aren’t you a little sad though?”
“I’m sure I will be.” She blows out a breath. “But not today. He’s still here, and I intend on making the most of every minute before he leaves.”
“Isn’t there a way of staying together?” I carry the spinner to the table and implore gently, “Why don’t you follow him to Cape Town? Can’t you study there?”
She turns to face me. “I could, but Cape Town isn’t for me. My life is here. My family is here. This is where I’m happy. I’m not going to sacrifice everything for a man. I don’t want to end up resenting him for choices I made for all the wrong reasons.” She opens the spinner and starts shredding the lettuce into the bowl. “We each have to follow our dreams.”
I lean a hip on the counter. “Isn’t being together part of the dream?”
“It’s more complicated than that.” She dusts her palms and studies me with a tilted head. “Have you never wanted to hit on him?”
“What?” I exclaim. “No. He’s like my brother.”
“I know the two of you are close. I just want you to know I’ll understand if you take things further, seeing that both of you will be attending the same uni.”
“We’re not into each other like that.”
“Just do me a favor.” She drizzles dressing over the lettuce and tosses the salad with serving spoons. “Take care of him in Cape Town. I have every intention of living my life to the fullest, and I don’t want him to lose out on the best years of his youth because he’s waiting for me.” She picks up the bowl. “He’s chivalrous enough to do that.”
“Wait. What do you mean?”
“There are a lot of cute frogs out there, Bella. I owe it to myself to kiss a few before I settle down with a prince.” She wags her eyebrows. “Variety is the spice of life.”
My hackles rise. “You’re not playing with Colin’s feelings, are you? He’s a good guy, and he cares a lot about you.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Is that what he said? Is he discussing our relationship with you?”
“Of course not. Colin is too honorable to do that. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. I’ve seen how he is with you. You’re not just a fling to him. He’s serious about your relationship. I hope you’re being as honest with him as you’re being with me. He’s my best friend, and I’d hate for him to get hurt.”
“Colin knew what he was getting into when we hooked up. We’re at the verge of starting our lives. He can’t expect me to tie myself to one man when I’m not even twenty.”
“That’s obviously not how he feels.”
“You know how he is. He’s always too serious.” She heads for the door. “Bring the salt, will you?”
“What if he’s the one? Aren’t you worried you’re throwing something special away?”
“How can I know he’s the one if I haven’t tried others?” She adds from over her shoulder, “You should follow my example. You’re the only senior in school who hasn’t gotten her v-card stamped.”
Indignation burns on my cheeks. “You don’t know that.”
“Oh, come on. You have a bodyguard, for heaven’s sake. Everyone knows you’ve never even kissed a boy.”
“That’s not true,” I say, but my words are lost on her. She’s already left the room.
Colin enters the kitchen and makes his way over to the fridge. “We need more ice.” He takes a bag from the freezer compartment and throws it at me. “Here. Make yourself useful.”
I catch the bag on autopilot. Do I tell him what May said? Surely, if they broke up, he already knows.
“Hey,” I say. “You’re all right, aren’t you?”
He pops a carrot in his mouth and crunches down. “Yeah.” Taking another bag of ice, he walks to the door. “Come on. Meat’s done. Grab the napkins on your way out.”
I gather the salt and the napkins, thinking about how our lives are changing. May will stay in town but date other guys, and Colin will move into the apartment his parents are renting for him in Cape Town. Their paths seem so certain. May knows exactly what she wants. So does Colin. I, on the other hand, am still battling to project myself in five years from now. Except for wanting a degree and to find a job, I have no idea where I’ll settle.
What does the future have in store for me? I don’t even know where I’m going to stay in Cape Town. Dad is tight-lipped about my accommodation.