Page 132 of The Best Friend Power Play

Life is more about living in the moment and less about trying to control and plan everything down to the last detail.

Not that spreadsheets don't have their place. They do.

But so do feelings, and if it feels good, that's usually a sign to go for it.

I mean, it's worked out pretty well for me.

After Culver gets home, we settle on the couch because we reserve one evening a week as designated couch-potato night so we can get our fix of bad TV.

"So," he says, running his thumb up and down the sole of my foot. "We only have a month left on our lease here."

"Yeah, I know."

"Have you listed any ideas for what you'd like to do next in that secret spreadsheet of yours?"

"What secret spreadsheet?"

He grins. "You realize we share a Google drive?"

"Oh." I knew that, but I'd forgotten that. "Have you peeked?'

"Of course not. I've just seen it there. So…any ideas?"

"I've jotted a few possibilities down. But I…" I adjust how I'm sitting, so Culver stops rubbing my foot for a minute. "There's one thing I think I'd really like to do next."

"What is it?"

"Go home." I stare into his eyes. "Are you mad?"

"Why would I be mad? I'd love to go back to Comfort Bay."

"You would?"

He nods. "Yeah. I miss Doyle."

"Be serious."

"I am. I mean, not about Doyle, but as much as I've loved it here, our family, our friends, and our new life awaits us back home. We can always travel and visit more places if we want to later."

Our new life.

Relief sweeps through me. "I'm glad. I feel the same way. This has been wonderful, but I think I'm ready to start…whatever it is I'm going to be starting when we get back."

"Cool. Speaking of starting…" He glances at the TV.

"Oh, right." I switch it on, and our timing is impeccable. The opening credits of Love and Deception have just begun.

Tonight's episode is going to be a good one.

Victor's wife, Alessia, who died in a plane crash, wasn't as dead as everyone thought, and after being held captive by a handsome but cruel prince for six months, she escaped and has returned to Florence. Problem is, Victor moved on and is set to marry Alessia's best friend, who happens to be the sister of the man who orchestrated Alessia's whole disappearance…Look, it makes sense if you've been watching it.

"Oh, I got a few texts from Malik. I'll tell you about them during the commercials," Culver whispers, as I mutter, "Tell me about it during the break."

As the first ad starts, I turn to Culver. "So, Malik?"

"It's not looking good."

He hands me his phone, and I read the messages. All seven of them. Things with Malik and Bianca have gone from bad to worse after she leaked our story to the press.

---