Then I had an idea. “Come on.”

I started walking back toward City Place.

She followed. “Where are we going?”

“We’re gonna fix this.”

Marni walked faster to keep up. “Fix what?”

“Everything.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re gonna go back to the girl I was with, try to save that situation for my dumbass brother, then head over to Raven’s and tell her everything—and also the truth about you.”

Her tone was panic-filled. “The truth about me?”

“That you’re gay.”

“What?” She stopped me. “You said you wouldn’t say anything.”

“I didn’t say I was going to do it. You are.”

“No fucking way, Rich Boy.”

We resumed speed-walking.

“Look, Marni. You shouldn’t have to hide who you are any more than I should have to hide who I want to spend my time with. Fuck this shit! Life is too damn short.”

When we returned to the restaurant, Crystal was still in her seat.

“Where did you go?” she asked, putting away the compact she’d been looking in to.

“My friend here is in a bind. I have to help her.” I opened my wallet and placed a wad of cash on the table. “Why don’t you order? Get anything you want. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Just don’t leave.”

Perplexed, she shrugged. “Okay.”

“Good. See you in a bit.”

Marni waited until we were out of earshot to mutter, “She’s so dumb. I would have told you to go fuck yourself.”

I pulled out my phone and called my brother.

When he answered, I said, “Weldon, I’m done with this game. I’m not lying to anyone anymore. I just left Crystal at City Place. She’s at an outdoor table at Amici. She thinks I’m coming back. Now is your chance to step in. Get your ass down here. Let me know when you’re almost here, and I’ll call and cancel our date a couple of minutes before. You can walk by and pretend you happened to be in the area.” I hung up before he could even respond.

“Your brother sounds like a tool,” Marni said.

Ignoring her comment, I asked, “Where is Raven right now?”

“It’s her day off. She’s home.”

“Did you drive here?”

“Yeah. I’m parked in the garage.”

“Alright. We’ll go in my car to her house. I’ll drive you back here afterward to get your car.”

“Why can’t I take my car now?”

“Because I don’t trust you not to take off.”

“Why are you getting involved in my business?”

“Because even though you hate my guts, I feel you, Marni. I know what it’s like to believe you can’t be who you really are, to have to live up to some unrealistic expectation, to have to hide. We might be doing it for different reasons, but I can relate. And you know what? It fucking sucks.”

My words seemed to sink in. She turned to face me. “You’re not gonna force me to tell her, right?”

“No. I wouldn’t do that. But I do think you should. She cares about you. It will be hard, but then it will be over, and you won’t regret it. You shouldn’t have to keep an important part of yourself from anyone, just like I shouldn’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not. We have more in common than you think.”

We arrived at my car and got in.

After we left the garage, the ride was quiet for a while.

Finally she turned to me. “You’re alright, Rich Boy. I might have been wrong about you.”

I cocked a brow. “But wait, I thought I was the devil in sheep’s clothing?”CHAPTER SIX* * *GAVINWhen we got to Raven’s, she was understandably confused to see me standing at her door with Marni.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Can we come in?” I asked.

“We?” She seemed skeptical. “I guess.”

Marni looked sick. Then she just started rambling before I had a chance to explain anything.

“Alright...long story short, I was wrong about Gavin. He wasn’t on a date. I misunderstood. He’ll tell you the story. And…he’s actually pretty cool. The other thing is…I’m gay. So, there’s that.”

So, there’s that. Ohhhkay. She definitely didn’t waste any time.

“I know, Marni. I know,” Raven said, unfazed.

Marni looked shocked. “You know?”

“Yes. I’ve always figured that. You never talk about guys. And you’re too damn outspoken for that to make any sense. I came to the correct conclusion a long time ago, but I didn’t want to ask. I wanted you to tell me.”

“Wow. Okay. So, I stressed over nothing.”

“You did. I love you, and it doesn’t matter to me who you like.” Raven gave her a big hug.

Marni pulled back. “Cool...well, nothing to see here, then. I’ll let you two be.”

That was probably one of the quickest coming-outs in history. But I was glad she’d gotten it over with.

Marni turned to me. “Sushi on Friday?”

“Yeah. Definitely.”

Raven looked between us, confused. “Sushi?”

“Yeah, we got to talking in the car and realized we both love it.” Marni said. “And Gavin knows someone who can hook us up at The Oceanic.” She grinned at me before heading toward the door.