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“First of all, I know you more than you think, but if I don’t, it’s not because I don’t want to Maybe I want to know you better Have you ever thought of that?”

I openedwas crazy, but he surprisedet in Don’t say you won’t, or you don’t know Duke would be insane not to accept you You’re Mia-freaking-Randalls Third, why o

n earth would your parents fight over whether you get into college or not?”

I groaned inwardly This was not soet into, especially with him of all people I hardly even talked about it with Ethan, which was saying so

“Nothing” I shookIt’s chilly out, can we just”

I started to turn away and head for my car, but Carson wrapped a hand aroundI can see it in your eyes This is what you were upset about the other day, wasn’t it? College, your parentswhat’s going on, Mia?”

I wrapped my arms around myself, more out of comfort than to ward off the chill “Like I would tell you”

Carson shoved his hands in his thick, dark hair, ot I’ at me with his aqua eyes “You know, Ethan isn’t the only one you can talk to You can tell s I’d listen I’d—”

I scoffed “Did I ? Since when are we friends?”

Carson flinched, looking hurt, and part of me wanted to ask him where he’d been the last nine years Since when did he and I get along? Just three weeks ago, Harper toldThane I still sleep in Strawberry Shortcake PJ’s, which was totally not true

“I’ve alanted to be your friend, Mia It was neveryou away”

I blinked up at hiht back to all our silly fights, his teasing, the antagonizing, and goading Yes, Carson was every bit as , he was the instigator So as he trying to play it off now?

My confusion turned to a frown as I tried to wraphe didn’t hate ht he did

If I had learned one thing over the years, it was how lightly Carson took everything While he was busy laughing at hito heart Maybe this whole time, I needed to take Carson at face value He viewed life through rose-colored glasses, while I saw everything a little too clearly And sonified them too much, it distorted your view

The trajectory ofme a headache I couldn’t think about this now, so I cleared my throat and asked, “What other donors should we talk to today?”