Chapter 16: Heat, Hate and Whatever this is
Merlina’s POV
"Keith!" Phoebe sprinted toward him like the world was ending and only his lips could save it. She kissed him, and I swear he kissed her nose. Gross, but also... kind of cute. Whatever.
"It’s called the campus park, babe," he said, all smirky. "What do you think people do here?" Then he looked over at us. "Hey Merlina. Megan." His expression laced with an annoying charm.
"Hi," Megan and I said in unison.
I glanced...okay, peeked at Craig. Still locked in statue mode, casually scrolling on his phone like he hadn’t just wrecked my mental health two weeks ago.
Two. Whole. Weeks of straight-up ignoring each other like it was a sport and we were both going for gold.
Phoebe and Keith were busy being all lovey-dovey, while Megan and I were fake-arguing over which pair of heels would hurt less at a party that clearly screamed evening gowns and elegance, not the kind where you show up in hoodies and sneakers.
Then Craig stepped forward, like he’d finally run out of patience.
Clearly, he wasn’t the type to just stand around and play third wheel while his best friend whispered sweet nonsense. His posture was stiff, shoulders tense, like even breathing near romance annoyed him.
"You done?" he asked Keith, calm and clipped, like those two words cost him effort.
God, I couldn’t stand him. I hated that I was seeing him. I hated that of all the guys in Belford, Phoebe had to date his best friend.