Page 49 of Heart Strings

After two incredible months touring through Europe, coming back to the real world feels both grounding and scary. The sunlight dapples through the trees, casting playful shadows on the road, and I can’t help but feel a surge of happiness being back in this place that holds so many memories.

Connor glances at me, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Ready to get back?” he asks, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

I smile, nodding. “As ready as I’ll ever be. But it’s strange, you know, coming back after everything. It feels like we left a lifetime ago.”

He laughs, bringing my hand to his lips for a quick kiss. “It does feel like that, but hey, we’re here now. Let’s make the best of it.”

As we pull up to the cabin, I notice multiple cars parked outside. “Connor, did you forget to tell me about a meeting or something today?”

He grins, a twinkle in his blue eyes. “Nope. Trust me.”

We get out of the car, and as we approach the front door, it swings open to reveal Ty and Sophie, surrounded by a few more of our close friends. “Surprise!” they shout, a burst of laughter and cheer spilling out onto the porch.

I stop dead, my hand flying to my mouth. “What?! You guys!” Emotion wells up inside me, a mix of shock and happiness.

Sophie rushes over and wraps me in a hug. “Welcome back, Gracie! We missed you!”

Ty claps Connor on the back and then turns to me with a big smile. “Couldn’t let you guys come back without a proper welcome, could we?”

The inside of the cabin is festively decorated with balloons and streamers, a banner reading “Welcome Home” hanging across the fireplace. The tables are laden with snacks and drinks, and soft music plays in the background, creating a perfect, cozy atmosphere.

Connor wraps his arm around my shoulders as we make our way through the crowd, his presence grounding me.

“These guys,” he murmurs in my ear, “couldn’t wait to have you back.”

We mingle and chat, catching up with everyone, the warmth of the cabin and the joy of the reunion melting away the last of my travel fatigue. Ty and Sophie have really outdone themselves. The food spread is impressive, with all of our favorites laid out, and there’s a make-shift bar set up in the corner with a friend acting as bartender.

As the afternoon turns into evening, I find myself pulled into a conversation with Sophie about our trip. “Tell me everything,” she insists, handing me a freshly made mojito.

I laugh, sipping the cool drink. “Where do I even start? Rome was incredible, the history just seeps into you. And Paris, oh Sophie, it’s as romantic as they say.”

Sophie leans in, her eyes wide with curiosity. “And you and Connor? How was traveling together? Tell me you didn’t just see the sights,” she teases, her elbow nudging mine playfully.

“It was amazing, even with the annoying paps around,” I confess, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “Being with Connor, it just felt right. Like we were meant to explore the world together.”

“That’s because you are,” she says, her voice earnest. “You two are good together, Gracie. I’ve BEEN telling you this, you know.”

Sophie’s encouragement warms me, and I can’t help but lean closer, lowering my voice as if to share a secret.

“And there’s more,” I begin, my heart fluttering with excitement. “We’ve sort of taken the next step in our relationship. It’s all become very real.”

Her eyes light up, her trademark sassy grin spreading across her face. “Oh? Do tell!”

“It’s just... everything feels so solid with him now. Even after we had to deal with Ava trying to stir up trouble,” I continue, the memory of Ava’s venom still sharp in my mind.

Sophie’s expression hardens at the mention of Ava. “What did she do this time?”

I sigh, shaking my head. “She tried to upset me by saying all sorts of nasty things, implied that Connor was better off without me. But Connor was amazing through it all. He reassured me, made sure I knew none of it was true. He convinced me not to let her get to me and he handled her by himself. I don’t think she’ll be a problem again.”

“That’s our rockstar,” Sophie says with a nod, her voice full of approval. “He’s always been a solid one.”

The conversation shifts as I nudge her gently, curious about her own romantic situation. “So, how about you and Ty? How are things going there?”

The change in Sophie is immediate and stark. Her shoulders stiffen, and the sparkle in her eyes dims. She withdraws her hand slowly, wrapping it around her own cup as if seeking its warmth.

“Now’s not really the time, Gracie,” she murmurs, her gaze drifting off to where Ty is laughing with some friends across the room.

I notice the hurt in her eyes, a stark contrast to her usual bubbly self. It’s not the first time I’ve seen that look when Ty’s name comes up, and it piques my concern yet again.

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