“You never said you were sorry,” I say. “When did you say you were sorry?” #51 | | |
Chastened, he says, “Sorry.” #52 | | |
“I don’t want you to go to Genevieve’s anymore. How do you think that makes me look to her?” #53 | | |
Peter looks at me steadily. “I can’t not be there for Gen, so don’t ask me to.” #54 | | |
“But Peter, what does she even need you for when she has a new boyfriend?” #55 | | |
He flinches, and right away I’m sorry I said it. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. #56 | | |
“It’s fine. I don’t expect you to understand it. Gen and I . . . we just get each other.” #57 | | |
He doesn’t know it, but when Peter talks about Genevieve, he gets a certain softness in his face. It’s tenderness mixed with impatience. And something else. Love. Peter can protest all he wants, but I know he still loves her. #58 | | |
Sighing, I ask, “Did you at least study for the test?” #59 | | |
Peter shakes his head, and I sigh again. #60 | | |
“You can look at my notes during lunch,” I say, and I head back to my class. #61 | | |
It’s starting to make sense to me. Why he’d go along with a scheme like this, why he’d spend his time with someone like me. It’s not so he can move on from Gen. It’s so he can’t. I’m just his excuse. I’m holding Genevieve’s place for her. When that piece makes sense, everything else starts to. #62 | | |
