Free Pretty Toxic - A New Adult Romance (Imperfectly Yours) by A. Gardner Page A

really can’t remember.”
    “Well the only lodges they own are in Colorado.”
    “Right,” Zanna giggles. “I know that silly. I just can’t remember which house.”
    “What did it look like?”
    “Um . . .” She sticks out her chest a little more. “The front had like . . . oh I can’t think of it. I’m sorry.”
    Now she’s shaking her head like she’s been scolded. The man looks taken back.
    “No, no.” He places a hand on her shoulder. Weird. But Zanna lets him. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
    “It’s just . . .” She wipes away a fake tears. “I can’t believe I’m crying right now.”
    The man looks distressed. With a look of concern on his face he begins listing the Haskell lodges one-by-one.
    “Well there’s Pinecliff. That one has a private ski run. Buffalo Peak. That one is near a little ski town. Uh, then there’s Aspen Pointe, Bluebonnet, Hummingbird Ridge, Bristlecone-”
    I interrupt their conversation by briskly passing the door, almost tripping over my own foot. I make a sound in the hall that forces Zanna to turn around. That’s the one. Bristlecone.
    “Where’s that one? Bristlecone?” I hear Zanna ask. I sigh of relief escapes my lips.
    I should have told Zanna the truth sooner.

Chapter Eighteen
     
    “. . . we’ve had our worlds rocked by the Haskells.”
     
    Vail, Colorado.
    I know nothing about it except that’s where Dane is and I have to get there. Zanna insisted on today. I don’t see that happening unless Aunt Scar gets a million dollar job offer at some fancy ski resort. Not happening. It’s summer. What are ski towns even like in the summer?
    “You’ve been quieter than usual lately.” Scarlett chews her bite of vegetarian chili. It was torture sitting through the rest of my work day knowing where Dane is. Plus, Zanna kept texting me that she was going to stop by the apartment and pack a bag for me.
    “Just a lot on my mind,” I reply. We hardly ever sit down together at dinner time anymore. Usually it’s me and the TV. I can’t bring myself to make eye contact.
    “Like?”
    Like none of your business.
    “Stuff.” I shove a spoonful of chili into my mouth.
    “Alright,” she sighs. “I know what this is about and we might as well talk about it.”
    “You do?” I raise my eyebrows.
    “I know it sucks not being able to enjoy your summer but trust me. You’ll be better off with the job experience.” She lets her spoon rest on her bowl. A baby blue porcelain bowl that looks like the sea.
    “So you say . . . a lot.” I stare down at the table.
    “Come on Mikki,” she shakes her head. “Be a little more grateful.” I almost choke on my own spit. I can feel my cheeks getting hot. How can she say that?
    “Is that what you do?” I reply. It’s becoming hard to stop myself from shouting. I want her to know that I know. I know she’s been seeing Matt Haskell, and I know she’s a hypocrite.
    Scarlett glares at me.
    “What’s gotten into you?” She sets her spoon down and crosses her arms. I feel my forehead. It’s warm like a furnace.
    “Nothing,” I lie. There’s a debate going on in my head. Part of me wants to ignore what I saw and go on like nothing happened. The other part wants to shout it from the rooftop. How dare she act like my mother and tell me what to do.
    “This is getting tiring,” she responds. “I’m trying to help. Really I am. You could at least try to be somewhat supportive.”
    “I’m not the one with the problem,” I blurt out. Her expression changes. Whatever smile was left is wiped clean off her face. She scowls and wrinkles her forehead in the process.
    “Of course you’re not. It’s always my fault.” She throws her arms in the air and raises her voice. “All your little problems are always my fault, and all I do is make everything worse.”
    “Stop exaggerating,” I respond.
    My comment seems to make matters worse.
    “ I’m not the exaggerator honey,” she scoffs. My head balloons with a