Page 8 of What if I Told You

“Nope.”

“I have to gi?—”

“No, you don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I fucking said so, El.”

“Auggie.”

“Ella, listen to me. I make millions of dollars a year. Not hundreds. Not thousands. MILLIONS. Do you understand that?”

“No. No I don’t,” I answer honestly with a shake of my head. “I can’t begin to understand that kind of money. I don’t know how you even do it.”

“So, on top of those millions of dollars, the last thing I need, the very last thing I need is to charge you even a dime to live in my space. Believe me when I say there’s enough room for you, and ten cats if we?—”

Too late.

He said it.

My eyes bulge and my jaw drops and I gasp. “OH, MY GOD are you saying?—”

“No.” He shakes his head, staring me down and giving me the parental point of his finger. “No, I am not saying anything. I said one cat.”

“You just said ten.”

“I meant one. And then a zero after that. One and then none. So, one.”

A huge smile spreads across my face at the prospect of my life taking a completely new turn. “August?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“I’m really doing this.”

He nods, giving me that sweet smile I remember. “You really are.”

Realization of what has to come next hits me and I fall back against my pillow. “Oh fuck.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I have to tell my parents.”

Paige

GIRL! Where have you been? Did you not get my last text? I’ve been wanting to talk to you for DAYS!

Days?She’s been waiting to talk for days? Did she get wind of my impending move and now she’s mad at me for not telling her sooner?

Shit.

I should’ve told her weeks ago when the idea was brought up, but I know she’s been busy with the antique shop and falling for the hot goat-dad guy and I didn’t want to bother her until all my plans were made. I certainly didn’t want her to talk me out of it. August is right. This is a good move for me. After emailing the Stars front office a video of my cheer work, and having an initial phone interview, they offered me a chance to interview in person so they can really get to know me better before deciding. Gah! This could be a super fun job opportunity that would earn me tons of new connections. The last thing I want is for my best friend to think it’s a bad idea.

Me

Why? Did you hear something? What did you hear? Who told you?

Paige

---