Page 32 of Instigator

That’s not going to happen, though. Not with all my issues. I can’t trust anyone for one night only, and from what I’ve heard from Hailey, she’s a once-and-done type. That’s why she was trying to set us up—to “cure” both of us.

There’s nothing wrong with not wanting a relationship or even a fling. It doesn’t make us sick or weak or broken. We have our own reasons for not wanting that, and they’re perfectly valid.

“I’m not pissy,” Ceci snaps.

I may be an oblivious idiot most of the time, but she’s definitely pissy. I don’t blame her. Getting stood up fucking sucks.

The shame over not showing up for Annie rolls over me again, and I wince. Why the hell am I such a whiny little baby? Can’t even show up to meet my best friend in person.

But it’s because she’s my best friend. There’s so much pressure on it. What if we didn’t get along in real life? What if she wants more than friendship, more than I can give? Or she figured out who I am?

There was too much riding on it. I crumbled under the pressure.

And I’ll never forgive myself for that.

“You’ve been stomping around here like Miranda Priestly. You scared away the intern.”

“I’m fine. It’s fine. We don’t need an intern.”

“Go home, pour a bottle of wine, and take a bubble bath,” Dr. Whitney suggests.

Ceci mutters something under her breath. It almost sounds like I wish.

“I’ll do better,” she finally says.

“Don’t be sorry on my account.”

“Did you hear me apologize?” Ceci says with a laugh.

Something about her voice still seems so familiar. I can’t place it.

Until suddenly, I can.

My blood runs cold, and my stomach twists into knots. Dr. Whitney replies, but I can’t hear her. Not over the pounding of my heart.

Because I’m pretty goddamn sure Ceci is Statistical Anomaly. Annie.

My Annie.

Oh, fuck.

fifteen

. . .

Ceci

Wish has been radio silent since our dinner that wasn’t.

No texts.

No messages.

No nothing.

I haven’t even seen his avatar online since he stood me up. It’s like he’s avoiding me.

So when his contact flickers green a few minutes before midnight, my heart catches in my throat. Finally, I can get some answers. Finally, I can know why.