"It's been years since any of us have seen each other. When are you going to get another chance like this?"

She shoved me into the car before I could even protest. I had no room to refuse, so I gritted my teeth and went.

The reunion was packed. Loud. Everyone was in high spirits.

They were playing truth or dare.

I sat in the corner.

I watched as the crowd pushed Alfred and Maud together, cheering and whistling.

"You know, back in the day, these two were Cloudvale University's golden couple. And now, after all these years, here they are again—both single, right?"

The guy speaking shot knowing glances around the room, clearly angling to play matchmaker.

I lifted my gaze and watched Alfred quietly. He glanced at me, just once, his expression flat. Then he looked away.

"Cut it out."

Alfred held his glass up. "Whatever the punishment is, I'll down three drinks instead."

He raised the glass to his lips, but someone next to him grabbed his arm.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—no way. Just drinking? Where's the fun in that?"

The guy looked between the two of them with a sly grin.

"How about you two kiss? Then we'll call it even."

Alfred's eyes flicked instinctively toward Maud. She covered her face, laughing with exaggerated helplessness. "I knew it."

She took a deep breath, steeled herself, and stood.

"Fine. We're both single. Who's scared?"

Alfred didn't refuse. She rose on her tiptoes. He leaned down.

A quick, featherlight kiss.

The room erupted.

I kept my head down. My nails dug into my palms until crescent-shaped welts carved themselves deep into the skin.

A few more rounds passed before it was my turn.

Someone studied me with a thoughtful expression. "Maria, you're such a pretty girl. How come you've been single all these years?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I'm not."

"What?"

Alfred's entire body went rigid. His phone was in his hand instantly, a message firing off to me: "Don't forget what you promised me. Don't say anything stupid."

Then another: "And about what just happened—don't be jealous. I'll explain when we get home."

I let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

Every single time. He was always terrified I'd slip up in public, that I'd let our secret relationship spill out.

Especially when Maud was around.

That probably had him in a cold sweat right now.

Alfred assumed I was jealous over the kiss. But I couldn't have cared less.

I didn't look at his messages. I just smiled and swept my gaze across the room.