Page 65 of Loving You

It’s like having your life surrounding you.

Will I ever have a room like this?

Maybe my life is ready to go in a different direction.

There is more to life than traveling, I know that, but what does that life look like for me?

“Let’sdo this again next week,” Grandma Betty says as Miles and I step out the door. “I loved having a full house, and I need more of it.”

She hugs Miles and then me. “Good night, dear. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I say as we follow her sidewalk to the street.

“Hudson and Sadie invited us to Hudson’s for a drink. Do you want to go?” Miles asks.

“You’re willingly inviting me to hang out with you?”

He chuckles.

“Well, it’ll be nice to not have to pretend for a bit. Although, to be honest, your family seems just as laid back as mine.”

“If you don’t count the part where they make us feel guilty.”

Miles sighs. “Yeah, I picked up on that, too.”

“Do you think we’re just being … immature about this? I mean, we’re adults, so shouldn’t we just suck it up and break up now so we can deal with the consequences?”

“We both know this was a stupid idea, Quinn, but it’s working. Cherry isn’t showing up at the bar, and that’s worth all this hassle for me.”

I nod. “You definitely have more at stake than I do. I just have my pride on the line.”

“Pride is important.”

“I just … Grandma Betty seemed so hopeful tonight that I feel like a bad person.”

“I get it. My dad seemed relieved that you came into my life. Like I wasn’t happy or something and now that I have you, maybe I could be.”

“Oh, I don’t think he thought you were unhappy.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right, but it still feels that way sometimes.”

We walk most of the way in silence. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I gave him an out and he didn’t take it.

Sure, it’s because he wants to keep Cherry away, but he could have changed his mind.

As soon as Miles opens the door to the bar, Hudson bombards us.

“Did you see my text?”

“No.” Miles reaches into his pocket for his phone. He scans his messages quickly. “Fuck.”

“What?” I ask.

“Everyone is here right now.”

“Everyone, as in …”

“As in, it’s time to be the doting girlfriend.”

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