Page 94 of The Escape Plan

Because there’s no denying that I’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with this incredible woman who has changed my life.

My mind suddenly jumps back to something Cash said after the baseball game last week—how being in Serendipity Springs and falling for Nori changed him.

I get it.

For way too long, I’ve used the job security of a career that doesn’t inspire me as a crutch, a security blanket I relied on because I refused to acknowledge how I really felt, what I really wanted.

But being here this summer has changed me, too. Made me think about how I can take control and change my life, like Cash did.

Like Keeley’s currently doing by taking this new position.

In many ways, I can see myself staying here. A fantasy part of my mind has already quit my job back home and asked Ezra to take on full-time lessons. Has started apartment hunting. Has told Keeley how I really feel about her and has asked her to be my girlfriend and is planning trips to visit her in Boston…

I shake my head, pushing the fantasy away as a waitress deposits what appears to be an entire pan’s worth of tiramisu in front of me.

I will never get used to the portion sizes in this country.

“Thank you,” I tell her, staring at the seven pounds of dessert.

“Yum!” Keeley says, unfazed as she digs her spoon straight into the Everest of whipped cream.

I can literally feel my eyes soften as I look at her. I never considered staying here in Serendipity Springs as a potential option before, and I find that the thought is still turning over in my head, marinating there, as Cash and I split the bill and we all walk outside.

It’s a pleasant night. Cool and crisp and with a hint of lingering warmth from the day. Keeley and I walked to the restaurant together earlier, her happily chattering about the logistics of moving and renting a U-Haul and apartment hunting, and me watching her as she spoke, soaking her in.

When we get to Cash’s vehicle, he gestures towards it. “You sure you guys don’t want us to drop you off at the fairgrounds?”

“No, thanks,” I say at the exact same time as Keeley says, “Nope! We’re good.”

We smile at each other. I get the feeling she wants to be alone with me almost as much as I want to be alone with her.

Nori hugs Keeley as Cash and I shake hands, and then Nori gives me a hug, too.

“You make her happy. Remember that,” she says softly in my ear as she pulls away.

The words wash over me.

Keeley makes me happy, too. Beyond compare. So much so that I’m considering literally changing my life for her. And the thought doesn’t scare me.

As Cash and Nori jump in his vehicle and drive off, I take Keeley into my arms. Kiss the top of her head. Finally alone together.

“Ready?” I ask, my hand reaching for hers.

“Born ready.”

We walk down the darkened street, hand in hand. A sprinkling of stars glow above us, and though the night is warm, she shivers.

I quickly shrug off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders, putting my arm around her and pulling her close in an attempt to share my body heat. “If you’re cold, I can order us a rideshare."

“No, I’m fine. Just thinking.”

She’s smiling, but she really is uncharacteristically quiet right now, so I ask, “Penny for your thoughts?”

She hesitates for a moment. “Don’t you think it’s weird what Nori said, about the building kind of… bringing her and Cash together?”

“Not really.”

The Serendipity threw Keeley and me into numerous moments of forced proximity that ultimately led to love. It helped us discover that our grandparents had been brought together by the building, too.

---