Page 51 of Don't Think

I stop walking and lightly touch her elbow, urging her aside to take a break. She gives me a tight-lipped smile before continuing in a shaky voice. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I reassure her. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

She swipes her thumb under her eye. “Having to leave Charlotte was hard enough, but she’s used to having Trevor around since she’s the oldest. Trevor and I didn’t start havingissues until after we had Lydia. So she’s just always been…mybaby. Does that make me sound horrible?”

I shake my head. “Not at all. I get it. You’re just worried that Lydia will have a harder time transitioning than Charlotte.”

A rush of footsteps sounds behind me, and instinctively, I grab Allie’s elbow, pulling her closer to the tank. But when I turn around, it’s just James. He’s standing there with his hands on his knees, breathing hard before he straightens up.

“Ana and I won,” he says, winded. “We got it all.”

Allie hands him our folded list, giving him a tight-lipped smile. When he looks at her, his brow furrows. Then his eyes flick to me.

“What happened?” he asks, his voice sharp. Clearly, he sees Allie’s eyes, puffy and red from holding back tears, but how do I explain something that’s not mine to share?

“Everything is fine, James. Thank you,” she says, gently squeezing his forearm.

She walks ahead, quickly catching up with Ana and Nora before the three of them link arms together.

Then she looks over her shoulder, mouthing the words, “Thank you.”

I bow my head slightly at her, hoping she knows it’s really not a problem. I’d listen to her worries any time she needed if it meant helping her feel even a fraction better.

For a moment, I just stand there, watching her walk away. Something stirs in the pit of my stomach. Something I can’t quite put a name on, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s more than just concern for a friend.

And suddenly I realize…

I amsofucked.

Chapter Sixteen

Allie

“I think I should change.”

I stare at myself in the full-length mirror while Ana and Nora stand behind me. Their eyes are practically drilling into mine like they’re already done with my crap.

“That’s a joke, right?” Ana asks with a single brow arched.

I spin around, arms smacking against my sides. “No, Ana. I’m not kidding. It doesn’t look right.”

She twirls a finger. “Turn back around.”

I roll my eyes, letting out an exaggerated sigh, but slowly do as I’m told. No matter what they say, though, I don’t feel right in this dress. It’s short. Tight. Made of that clingy material that highlights every curve, everyimperfection,instead of hiding it. Plus, it’s sleeveless, which means keeping the girls in check is a whole other battle in itself.

I try to tug the neckline higher, but Ana slaps my hand away.

“Leave it alone,” she hisses through gritted teeth.

“I can’t go out like this,” I protest, now yanking the hem in a useless attempt to make it longer.

Ana grabs my shoulders and gives me a little shake. “Yes, you can, Allie. You look hot. We just have to make youfeelhot. So, repeat after me.”

I roll my eyesagain. This is ridiculous. Why can’t people just go to bars in pajamas? Then no one would see my mom pouch from a freakin’ mile away.

“I, Allison Lorraine Windsor,” Ana declares with a little too much enthusiasm.

She tilts her head and narrows her eyes when I don’t immediately follow her lead.