Page 5 of All Along

“It’ll do,” I say and step inside.

“I’ll leave you to it.”

I reach to shut the door but he stops and whirls around. “By the way, I’m having a party on Saturday.”

“Not much for parties.”

“I figured you’d say as much, but you’re welcome none the less.”

I grunt my thanks before closing the door to shut him and the world out.

Chapter 3

“If my life is a romance novel, I know who I want to play the hero.” ~ Maya

Maya

Ifrown when I notice how crowded Nova and Hudson’s chalet is. Paisley pats my shoulder.

“Don’t be afraid. Pretend this is one of your romance novels.”

If she only knew. I’m constantly pretending my life is a romance novel. It’s how I manage to enter rooms with large groups of people.

“Thanks.”

“Always. I’m always here for you.”

She is. I have a great group of friends. But Sophia and Chloe aren’t around as much anymore since they’ve found love. And now Nova is all loved up, too.

Soon I’ll be all alone again since Paisley will probably fall in love before me. It’s kind of hard to fall in love when you’ve been obsessed with a boy you went to high school with for most of your life.

A boy who’s now a man in the military and is always stationed overseas. Mostly in really scary places he won’t tell me about. A man who is merely my pen pal buddy. And will never be more.

Paisley herds me toward the bar. “Let’s get a drink.”

I drag my feet. “I’m driving.”

“This is Nova’s baby shower. I’m certain she has non-alcoholic drinks.”

Drat. There goes my excuse for staying on the edge of the crowd.

Pretend this is a romance novel.I imagine I’m the youngest daughter of a duke being forced to attend a ball against her will. Her father is ready for her to marry, but she’s in love with the gardener. He’s forbidden since he’s a commoner.

By the time Paisley shoves a non-alcoholic beer in my hand, I’m warming up to my story. I bet the gardener is sexy. I imagine he’s over six feet tall and has bulging muscles. I add blond hair and blue eyes to the image. Maybe a cute dimple to soften his face.

Paisley hands me a pink ribbon and brings me out of my fantasy. “What’s this?”

“Nova and Hudson are doing a gender reveal. Guests are supposed to pick a pink or blue ribbon based on what gender they think the baby is.” She waves her blue ribbon. “There were only two left.”

“The baby is going to be a girl. I know it.”

“Which is why I gave you the pink ribbon. Come on. The reveal is happening outside.”

I hurry to follow Paisley out the back doors. There are just as many people outside but it doesn’t feel as scary when there are no walls barreling down on me.

Paisley leads me to where Chloe and Sophia are standing. I scan the area for Chloe’s stepdaughter. “Where’s Natalia?”

Chloe points to the pool. “She’s over there.”

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