Pieces of Olivia Read Free

eyebrows drew together. “I don’t really know, honestly. I have a crazy workload this semester. I’ll be lucky to survive my classes, forget adding an internship to the mix. Maybe I could work it in next summer. Anyway, what about you?”
    I opened my mouth to say law, something I had said so often over the last two years, it had become programmed. An auto-response. I shook my head, clearing the thought. “English. I plan to specialize in Comparative Literature. I want to be a professor some day.”
    Preston came back with a basket full of tiny muffin-like rolls. “Famous cheddar biscuits?” I asked, eyeing them.
    “The best.” He slid in beside Kara. “Care if I join ya’ll? My shift just ended.” He looked from her to me.
    “What, no Alexis?” Kara asked, elbowing him in the side.
    Preston leaned back in the booth and glanced over his shoulder. “Nah. I told you. That was a summer thing. Summer’s over.”
    Kara rolled her eyes. “Is this the stupid three-month rule or are you dating girls by season now?”
    He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not
dating
any of them. I’m hanging out with them.”
    “So they’re friends?” she pressed, and I could tell this was becoming a hot-button topic for them. Clearly she didn’t agree with how he handled girls, and I didn’t blame her. I’d known plenty of guys like him before and was finding it increasingly difficult to keep my mouth shut on just what I thought of said guys.
    Preston sighed. “Why are we talking about this?”
    Kara’s expression softened. “Because I want you to be happy. I want you to settle down and—”
    “Right, because that worked out so well the last time.” The look Preston gave her sent chills down my spine. I looked away, wishing I could disappear so they could hash out whatever the tension was between them.
    Kara cleared her throat. “Just stop introducing them to me, then. I’m tired of fielding calls for
you
on
my
cell. It’s bullshit.”
    “Fine. No more introductions. Can we please talk about something else now? Like Small Town here and why she’s looking at me like I’ve murdered a puppy.” The anger on his face disappeared, and he flashed me a mocking grin. The same mocking grin he’d shown off that morning. Clearly, it was his trademark smirk. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.
    “It’s Olivia, Mr. Smooth. And not that it’s any of my business, but I agree with Kara.”
    Kara crossed her arms and grinned, and just like that, all the tension from before was gone. “See, I knew I liked you already.”
    Preston leaned forward, holding my gaze. “Is that right? And what exactly are you agreeing with Kara on? You should know that she’s two shades past crazy. Medication and all. I’d think twice before agreeing with her on anything if I were you.”
    I adjusted in my seat at the mention of medication. And crazy.
    Kara smacked his arm. “B-Complex doesn’t count as medication, you asshole.”
    “It’s a mood enhancer.” He raised his eyebrows. “You tell me. Sounds medication-ish to me.”
    I laughed, relieved the conversation didn’t delve into actual medication . . . or reasons to be on it. “So what? You’re anti-vitamin now, too?”
    “What do you mean, ‘too’?”
    I shrugged. “Well, the girl thing. Clearly you’re one of those. Which is fine, but I agree with Kara. If you’re going to do it, don’t rope Kara in. Nothing is more annoying than an obsessive girl. God, I would die if I had to deal with that crap all the time.”
    “I know, right?” Kara said.
    “Wait a second,” Preston said. “Since when is it a problem to hang out with someone? I’m not making a marriage proposal every time I go out.”
    “Of course, but you shouldn’t screw them if you just plan to ditch.” The words were out before I could register what I’d said, and then all I could do was close my eyes in complete and utter humiliation. “I didn’t mean— It isn’t—” Oh. My. God.
    Preston