My Dearest Enemy

24| so, was I wrong?

❝Some souls just understand each other upon meeting.❞

— N.R. Hart

T W E N T Y - F O U R 

I teased out one of my curls, angling my head left and right in the mirror.

"God, you look so stunning."

Mira gazed at me wistfully from my desk, her chin perched atop her hands on the back of the chair.

"Will you marry me?"

I snorted, facing her as I donned a pair of pearl drop earrings. "You haven't even sipped the spiked punch and you're already talking crazy."

"I'm serious. I think we'd make a hot ass power couple."

"As tempting as the offer is, I'll have to pass. Wouldn't wanna steal you away from your true bride-to-be."

Her upper lip tugged upward in a grimace. "Very funny."

"How are you feeling about tonight? It's kind of like your first date."

"I'd prefer not to think about it." Her painted toes pushed against the carpet, forcing the chair in a lazy swivel. "Why the hell does she like me? She's so out of my league."

My brows shot up. Easing back on my dresser, I crossed my arms. "Whoa. You, Amira Fakhoury, think someone's too good for you? Unheard of. Usually it's the other way around." A smile of sympathy spread on my lips. "You must really like her."

"I know. It's terrible." She groaned and dropped her forehead on the back of the seat. "This wasn't supposed to happen."

"Is it so bad that it is?"

"Yes! I haven't liked anyone since..." My gaze faltered as my mind filled in the gap. Eva. "What if I'm not ready for this?"

"You won't know until you try."

"If I try, I'll get more invested. And then I'll be in too deep and it'll be too late to abandon ship."

"Then quit dating." I shrugged.

Lifting her head, she squinted at me. "You're joking, right?"

"No, I mean it. I'd prefer that than you going back to the other alternative. Dating around and having meaningless flings."

She crossed her legs and lifted her chin. "Judgy, much?"

I pressed her with a hard stare. "I'm not judging. You know that. I just...think there are better ways to deal. I mean, be honest, did that really make you happy?"

Her amber eyes travelled to the ceiling. "It did for a bit, in the beginning. After a while I just became bored and miserable." A timid smile. "You ever like someone so much that you just can't get them off your mind? Hearing their name is enough to make your stomach flip?"

I thought for a moment. "Can't say I have..."

"Well," she shrugged, "when you do, you'll get why walking away from your feelings isn't as easy as it sounds. But who knows, maybe there's hope. Maybe the further away I get from...you-know-who, the easier this will all get."

I stiffened. I still hadn't told Mira that Eva was back in town. It never felt like the right time. Especially not now, when things were going well for her and Yuri. I studied her in concern. She deserved to know...

A knock at the door. Jeremy poked his head in. "Your chariot awaits, princess. And..." He looked to Mira. "Beast."

She flipped him off.