One of Us Is Back (One of Us Is Lying, #3)

by Karen M. McManus

I don’t understand how you can look at someone who’s obviously hurting and think, You know what this person needs? More time in their own head.

I stare at my phone for a few seconds. There’s a knot of resentful, self-hating fury inside me that makes me want to text back: forget dinner. Forget everything, Bronwyn, because you’re too good for me and one of these days you’re going to realize it. I’d rather you do it now than later, because it’s only going to feel worse the more time we’re together.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” he asks roughly. “I do,” she says, her voice softening. “I love you too.”

It doesn’t matter how many times she smiles at me like that; I still forget how to breathe for at least a few seconds.

Get used to living life looking over your shoulder, because one of these days, I’m going to be there.

“It makes your future easier, but it doesn’t make it possible. You did that by yourself.” “You helped,” I murmur, pressing my forehead to hers. “I love you so, so much,” Bronwyn says. It’s one of those perfect moments that I try to grab hold of even while it’s happening, because I know I’m going to want to remember it. “Love you more.”

It’s just—look, Bronwyn, I know you have a five-year plan, and a ten-year plan”—I can tell she’s about to interrupt me, so I start talking faster—“and so do I. I have a fifty-year plan, and you’re in it. It revolves around you, mostly. Because I’ve been in love with you since the fifth grade, and that’s never going to change.”

oh my god

“I’m going to marry you, Bronwyn Rojas. Just so you know.” She puts her hands on either side of my face and pulls me close enough to kiss. But first, she says, “Oh, I know.”

“I couldn’t use Adelaide for the first name, because there’s only one Addy, but I hope she’s just like you. I really, really do.”