Page 35 of Alluring Adventure

I freeze and read her words again.

Me

Where are you?

Keeley

Come upstairs and find out.

A massive grin spreads over my face. She’s here. I climb the stairs as fast as my back will allow and push open the door.

Keeley is sitting on the little stool next to the breakfast bar, just like she did on our first night together.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” she waves.

“Aren’t you supposed to be flying to some exotic place?” I try to keep my expectations in check. She might just be here for a short visit. To say goodbye in person. But I can’t help hoping for more.

“No,” is all she says with a mysterious smile on her face.

“How did you get in?”

“Your sister gave me her spare key,” she winks. Of course, Hannah knew about it. They have been in touch all the time as of late.

“Dan invited me to an event celebrating the crowdfunding.” Maybe that’s why she’s here.

“I know. He and I have been working on it for the last few weeks.”

“You and Dan?”

“Yes.” She’s driving me fucking nuts with her short answers.

“Keeley!” I rub my face and cross my arms in front of my chest. I don’t like this. Seeing her is bringing back all the emotions that I have carefully hidden away—even from myself—for the last few weeks.

“I’m here to apply for the social media job.” She holds out a piece of paper with a CV on it.

Hannah and I had agreed that we need professional help with social media, and the advert for a part-time role will go live tomorrow.

“You want the job?”

“Yes.” She drops the CV on the breakfast bar and steps up to me.

“It’s only part-time,” I say hesitantly.I’m such an arsehole. Just say yes, say yes.But my heart is guarded.

“I know. That suits me as I’m volunteering with FMR one day a week. Dan and I have some fundraising ideas we want to work on. And Suzie and I have agreed that she and I’ll offer some social media support to her author clients. Leaves me with three days, which is what I think your job is being advertised for.”

“Are you serious?” I still can’t believe it. Keeley places a hand on my chest and drops her confident façade.

“Oliver, I… I miss Fellside. I missed Marisa and Hannah. They accepted me as a friend though we only knew each other for a short time. Since leaving, I have spoken to Dan and his wife Rose a lot, and to Suzie. I know about their families and we have become friends too. I don't want to live out of a suitcase anymore, packing up every two days and moving to a new city. And most of all, I missed you. Fuck, I missed you so much. I tried to cut down on messages with you, but not hearing from you every day is killing me. How can I make it through two months with no contact?”

“I missed you too.” I whisper and place a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Once I resigned, I was rushing around to sort out my flat, wrote new posts and trained my replacement. I had meetings with Suzie and Dan and Marisa managed to get me a job at the Greenview Manor. But then Hannah mentioned that you’re looking for a part time social media manager, and if you’ll have me, I would love the job. As long as it’s acceptable to shag the boss,” she winks.

My heart beats faster. She is back, she’s staying.

“Absolutely. I think I would have died if you’d said you only want to be friends.”

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