Merlina's thoughts stalled. The word 'girlfriend' lodged itself in her chest like a sharp pebble in a shoe, small, but impossible to ignore. She hadn't prepared for this moment, hadn't even considered the possibility that Craig would repeat it to anyone, much less Louis.
The fact that she even took that chance sounded dumb to her now, reckless, even. Especially because Craig Lesnar wasn't just anyone. He was best friends with Keith, who happened to be Phoebe's boyfriend. Which meant that one lie, blurted out in a moment of panic, could've traveled faster than she'd ever anticipated.
Louis watched her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Didn't see that one coming, huh?"
She tried to laugh, but it caught in her throat. "He… he really said that?" Her voice scraped the surface of calm, but the heat blooming across her cheeks betrayed her.
Louis nodded. "Typical Craig. Always in his own head."
