Page 98 of A Forever Love

“Tell me what you were saying.”

“I was telling you why I didn’t bother picking out a movie. We always end up watching The Lake House. So, I know how it’ll go. I’ll suggest a few options of the latest hit rom-coms. They will listen excitedly, but then Birdie will raise her hand and chime in that these new actors can never compete against Keanu Reeves. Everyone will agree, and Minnie will add that no one can beat how he looked twenty years ago. We will all pretend to search for something we haven’t seen in a long time, until Clem asks, ‘What did we watch last time? It was good, right?’ Everyone will nod, and then Autumn will act like she just remembered the name. I’ll enter the scene and pretend to check if it’s available on Netflix, even though that was the first thing I did after coming to my room.”

“So why do you all go through so many hoops to finalize a movie?” The corner of my lips lift up.

“I think it has become another ritual of our girls’ night.” Her beaming smile radiates in her tone, and a beat later, she glances away from the phone. Someone must have called her name. “Okay, break’s over. I need to go play my part.” But before we can end the call, Merida straightens her shoulders and looks directly at the camera. “Call me when you get home, Carter.”

“Your wish is my command, mittens. But tell me, why did you call me tonight?”

The smile on her face falters a little. “I don’t know. I had a feeling you were having a rough day.”

My heart skips a beat, and words become hard to form. “I didn’t know you had superhuman powers.”

“I usually don’t, but with you, I sometimes sense this weight in my chest, an unspoken emotion clawing to be set free. It’s the same feeling I had the day of Lily’s accident.” While I’m still grappling with my thoughts, Merida asks, “So, is my heart wrong?”

“Your heart can never be wrong, mittens. I did have a rough day, but now, after talking to you, I don’t even remember half of what pissed me off. All I want right now is to slap a cuff on your wrist and tie you to me, never letting your sweet ass run away from me again.”

Her eyes widen, and she gasps. “I’ve been gone for less than twenty-four hours.”

“Yeah, ask my poor heart how much it’s missing you. Now say something sweet that I can repeat the whole night while you enjoy Keanu Reeves.”

She smiles. “Keanu Reeves be damned. All I want right now is to slap a cuff on your wrist and tie you to me, never letting your sweet ass run away from me again.”

My grin mirrors hers. “You’re a dork, but I’m glad you’re my dork. Now go, and I’ll see you at breakfast.”

“Um…I’m going to have breakfast with Clem at Hawthorne Bakery, as she’s driving me to Cherrywood, and then the whole day, we have seminars. I’ll only be free in the evening.”

I bite back my disappointment. “Then you better save your energy for me, mittens, because tomorrow I’m going to have my date, and no movie nights, colleagues, or friends can pull you away from me.”

“I’ll be all yours tomorrow, I promise.”

“You’re already mine, mittens. I’ve just loaned you to them for the evening. Now go.”

25

MERIDA

The opening credits of The Lake House play on the flat-screen TV in the living room, and we all huddle up on the couch.

As Autumn curls her feet under her, Birdie playfully tosses popcorn at her. “You’re about to doze off. That’s your sleep-sitting pose.”

“What the heck is sleep sitting?” Minnie arches an eyebrow.

“When Autumn falls asleep while sitting, like a c…cow.” Birdie tries to hide her yawn but fails.

“Forgive me for trying to close my eyes for a second, but I was on my feet the entire day. We held an auction at the inn. A few years back, I had no problem running around the whole town, but now I think I’m too old for this stuff. I definitely need to hire more staff.”

“It’s not just you, it’s all of us. We’re growing old whether we like it or not.” Minnie rubs her eyes.

“Get out of here.” Birdie raises her hand halfway in the air, but sleep is evident in her drowsy eyes. “I’m not going to be called old. I’m stuck in my twenties for—”

“Cut it out, Birdie. You’re the one who’s yawning nonstop. You should walk the talk, youth mascot.” Clem grins at Birdie, who’s now pouting before she turns to us. “So, what do you say, shall we stop?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.” Autumn gets up from the couch and stretches like a cat. “As much as I love Lukas for taking Spring to the slumber party, I miss my girl. I haven’t seen her all day.”

“I’ll text Gavin to let the men know we’re going home.” Minnie grabs her phone from the table.

“I’d be surprised if my uncles aren’t already outside.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, there’s a knock on the door. “See.” I grin before getting up to open the door.

---