Page 77 of One Short Summer

Just then, Charlie walks over to us. Hannah starts to get up but not before facing me one more time. “You’re young. You’ll figure it out. Just listen to your gut because, believe me, it’s usually right. No matter if it’s about your career or your love life.”

The last part of her sentence hangs between us as she winks at me.

Does she…? Did she just…?

“Come say bye before you leave, okay? Can’t have you forget about little old me.” Just like that, she saunters back over to the other guests, and my best friend takes her spot.

“Everything okay? That looked like a serious talk.” She leans over and puts her head on my shoulder, giving me a quick side hug. “I can’t believe you’re really leaving in a couple days. I’m going to miss you so much. We’re all gonna miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss you and all the other crazy ones too.” I watch Charlie as she tries to get comfortable, finally settling with one of her legs under her butt.

“Aww, Mo.” She engulfs me in another big hug, her arms tightly wrapping around my torso. “You’ll be back before you know it.” Pulling back, she looks at me with wide eyes. “Wait a second. Youwillcome back, won’t you? I didn’t even think about that. Are you planning on living back in New York when you’re done with your tour next year? For some reason, I automatically assumed you’d be coming back here after.” She sniffles once.

The blows to my heart just keep coming tonight, it seems. “I actually haven’t really thought much past my tour. I’ve been so focused on recovering and getting back on my feet that everything beyond that wasn’t really on my radar.”

“Hmm.” Charlie brushes some of her blonde hair out of her face and props her elbow up on the back of the couch, her chin in her hand. Then she stares at me.

When neither one of us says anything after a few moments, she stares at me some more, her eyes slowly turning into little slits. “Well, I know you don’t really want to talk about it, but what about you-know-who?” She looks around the room as if she’d get arrested for saying a specific person’s name.

I sigh, knowing immediately she’s talking about my housemate. “What about him? He’ll be off on his next book tour soon too.”

“I know he is, but that’s not what I was talking about, and you know it. I don’t get you two. His eyes haven’t left you once since you got here, at least not if he could help it. And if I’m not mistaken, you haven’t been any different. You guys keep track of each other, without even realizing it, I think. Has he brought up what’s going on between you guys?” Her voice is slightly higher than before, betraying her attempt at acting nonchalantly.

Shaking my head, I look down at my hands. “Nope.”

“And you won’t say anything to him either?”

My eyes find hers, challenging her silently before the words bubble out of my mouth. “Not really. I mean, what exactly should I say to him, Charlie? He knows I’ll miss everyone—him included. He also already knows he’s my best friend, other than you, and that I like to spend time with him. I’m not sure what else there is to tell? What’s been happening between us doesn’t mean anything, remember. We knew from the beginning we’d part ways at the end of the summer. We knew I’d go back to the team, one way or another.”

“And you’re still okay with that?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know. I’ve never been this nervous before, but I’ve also never had a break like this before, so it’s probably just that.”

Charlie closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath. “I’ll try and do you a favor by repeating something you asked me last year. If I remember correctly, you dubbed it as a very easy question.”

No clue what she’s talking about. At this point, it could be anything.

“Are you in love with him or not?”

Well, that definitely was not on my list of questions I thought she might ask.

I jerk my head around so quickly, the nerves in the back of my neck zing in displeasure. My muscles tense of their own accord as I stare down one of the most important people in my life. There’s a fluttery feeling in my belly that only intensifies the more her question repeats in my mind.

Are you in love with him or not?

In love...with him.

But before I can wade through the onslaught of thoughts, I’m saved by Hudson, who stops right in front of us with Mira in his arms. I didn’t even realize he was coming over.

Looking up at him, I’m trying my hardest to give him a genuine smile, but I’m pretty sure it’s more of a grimace than anything else.

He looks back and forth between Charlie and me, his smile slowly dimming. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, just peachy.” My voice is so high and squeaky, I’m surprised it’s still audible.

He stares at us for another moment, a million questions in his eyes, before deciding to let it go. For now, at least. I’m sure he’s gonna ask Charlie later on. “People are starting to leave, so I thought you guys wanted to come and say bye.”

I rub my forehead. “Of course, sorry. I’m a terrible sport today. Mind if I borrow Mira? I think I need some baby cuddles.” I stretch out my arms when Hudson shakes his head, amused, and take Mira from him in one swoop. I settle her on my hip, immediately feeling better when she snuggles into my side too.

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