A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 121

Veronica was over for dinner at the Thorne family's house that evening, and she couldn't help but notice how Winona kept texting on her phone—first before dinner, then again after, curled up in her bedroom, still glued to the screen.

A soft smile lingered in Winona's eyes and at the corners of her mouth the whole time.

Veronica mulled it over. There was really only one explanation.

Winona blinked in surprise when Veronica finally asked her.

"Are you seeing someone?"

They hadn't exactly said it out loud to each other. But lately, the way things had been between Winona and him... well, it did feel an awful lot like the start of something romantic.

"No need to explain, I get it," Veronica said, propping her chin on her hands and grinning. "You two are in that flirty, not-quite-official phase. The best part—before anyone ruins it by saying something real."

Winona's cheeks flushed, but with her best friend, she didn't feel the need to hide anything.

"I do like him," she confessed, "but right now, I'm keeping my feelings very much in check."

"That's normal." Veronica squeezed her hand. "After what you went through before... well, let's not dig up the bad stuff."

Anyone who'd survived a five-year trainwreck of a relationship wouldn't fall head over heels again so easily.

"But I mean it with him," Winona said softly, her lips curving in a gentle smile. "I want to do this right. Take it slow, just enjoy being together."

"Oh, listen to you," Veronica teased, laughing, "You're so sweet right now, you're making me want to find someone myself."

But then she shuddered dramatically and shook her head. "Actually, never mind—I can't even imagine myself in a relationship."

Winona laughed, about to reply, when her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Elvis.

"I'm outside."

"Aren't you supposed to be out with your friends tonight?" she asked, eyes searching his.

Elvis brushed a drop of condensation off the container, shrugging lightly. "Nothing out there matters more than you."

He paused, as if suddenly remembering something. "Tyson was there too."

"He's in the city?" Winona's brows knit together, though she didn't look particularly surprised. "I guess Mr. Dalton invited him to the birthday party."

"Want me to try and get him to leave?" Elvis asked.

Winona smiled. "No need. Sure, he annoys me, but I don't have to go out of my way to avoid him."

Besides, she still had unfinished business with Tyson and Celia. They were bound to run into each other again.

Tyson wasn't stupid—he wouldn't cause a scene at someone's birthday celebration.