Page 69 of More For Me

“Then why do you assume it would if you’re in a romantic relationship?”

“Yeah, what’s really going to change, Lele?” Vega asks. “You’ll still be friends. You’ll just be banging him part of the time.”

I slap a hand over her mouth. “Do not talk about banging ever again.”

“So we’ve determined the similarities thing is crap,” Santana presses on while Vega smacks my hand away. “What else you got?”

“I’m very busy with work.”

She rolls her eyes. “Like he doesn’t sit in your shop half the day anyhow.”

“What if the press starts following him or something?” I ask. “If we’re dating on camera people are going to think he’s fair game.”

“People already speculate that you’re dating,” Vega says. “There are entire blogs dedicated to you guys. You even have a hashtag.”

I can’t argue with that. My parents have taught us to avoid social media like the plague whenever one of us is mentioned but I’d be a dirty liar if I said I’d never clicked on the #Boderly links.

“Besides,” Presley says. “Bodhi freaking loves being mentioned on the show and online. He’s a worse attention whore than you.”

“Don’t call him that,” I snap.

“Aw, you’re protective of your boyfriend,” Vega coos. “That’s so sweet.”

“You used to be so much cuter.” She opens her mouth to show me a glob of un-swallowed sundae on her tongue, making Presley gag.

“So the similarities excuse didn’t fly,” Santana says, ignoring them. “The work excuse was crap. The press excuse was even worse. What else you got?”

“These are all valid reasons to be cautious,” I argue.

“They’re all excuses,” Santana says.

“You know what I think?” Presley asks. “I think this is about Fox.”

I blink at her. “What the heck does Fox have to do with it?”

“You’re freaking out because he signed with that agent. You’re afraid it’s going to turn into a big thing and he won’t be around as much anymore.”

“Ooh,” Vega says softly. “It makes so much more sense now.”

“It makes zero sense. I don’t know what you’re even talking about.”

“Change makes you freak out,” Presley says. “It always has. And you’re worried your business—and your relationship with Fox—is going to change if he does this acting thing.”

“So you’re clinging to the familiar things in your life,” Vega adds.

“When did they start teaching bullshit psychology in middle school?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m a freshman. I’m also right.”

I turn to Santana, the only one who hasn’t chimed in yet, and see a weird look on her face. Her gaze is locked on her sundae, and she’s shifting in her seat like she’s uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” I demand.

“Nothing,” she says, voice too bright. “Ignore me. Let’s talk about Bodhi some more.”

“Santana.” I use my best big sister voice. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She looks a little panicked as she finally meets my eyes. Panicked and guilty. “I, um, might go away to school next semester.”