Chapter 2The Sweet-Talking Friend

Seeing my stunned silence, a flicker of triumph danced in Claire’s eyes.

She leaned against Julian, her voice a casual, airy purr.

"Sienna, sweetie, go ahead and eat. Julian already put it on your plate. I don't mind."

She said she didn't mind, but her eyes were glued to my chopsticks, terrified I might actually take a bite.

The comments scrolling past my eyes were furious.

[Look at her pretending. Her eyes are practically burning a hole in that plate. I'd love to see her keep smiling if our girl actually eats it.]

[Sienna, baby, let's be brave. Can we please stop being her free pawn?]

[Eat it! Eat it all! Shovel it in right in front of him! Our girl needs to piss this pampered princess off for good!]

I looked at Claire’s innocent, doll-like face, then thought of the scholarship she’d stolen from me, of all the times she’d played me like a fool. My grip on my chopsticks tightened.

She loves testing Julian's feelings for her, doesn't she?

She loves testing to see if I have any designs on her boyfriend, right?

Fine. I’ll help her out.

Snapping back to the present, I deliberately picked up the piece of asparagus he had placed on my plate. I covered my mouth with one hand, my voice a breath of feigned surprise.

"Oh, sweetie, how did Julian know asparagus is my absolute favorite? You must have told him. You're the best, Claire."

With that, I turned to Julian and gave him a brilliant smile.

"Well, in that case, I won't be shy. Thank you, Julian."