*Olivia*

I just blinked at Nicole and stared at her dumbly, completely shocked by her words.

Just minutes earlier, we had been giggling together like we had been friends for a long time. I liked her and genuinely felt like she was good for my brother. I thought I had conveyed that well by being friendly and opening up to her.

Perhaps I was wrong.

I laughed a flat, humorless laugh. “Why would you think that?” I asked.

She didn’t answer ...