Page 60 of Austen Persuaded

But that wasn’t it. I was just excited to talk to Viviana. To tell her everything. To hear whatever it is that Viviana wanted to share with me. I missed my friend. With this thought, I smiled and tried on the outfits quickly. Realistically, I knew most of the outfits looked great on me; I was just lucky in that way. Fashion designersdesignedclothes for people who looked like me. It wasn’t fair, but … well, it was another problem for another day.

I scanned over all the clothes again. My eyes gravitated toward the emerald green and white dress. It was flattering but also classy enough for an office setting. Or at least I hoped so. Deciding not to dither any longer, I grabbed the dress and left the rest.

Viviana’s apartment wasn’t far, so I decided to just head straight over there. She was a homebody through and through, so the odds were she’d be there, even though it wasn’t yet evening. Still, I fired off a text saying I was on my way.

Standing in the apartment lobby not ten minutes later, I noticed she hadn’t texted back yet, so I headed upstairs.There was no response at the door either. Maybe she was showering. Or running. Or napping. Viviana liked to nap. A lot. I smiled, remembering my friend’s quirks. I missed her.

I shrugged and retrieved the key she had given to me. I’d used it countless times in situations like this, and I would wait on the couch if need be. Of course, this was a bit different in that we’d had a pretty major fight recently, but still, I was fairly confident my friend would be happy to see me.

Once I let myself in, I absently slipped off my shoes by the door as I called out Viviana’s name. There was no answer, but I heard what sounded like the shower. I smiled in relief. She was home.

I sunk into the soft depths of her couch and put up my feet, tossing my phone and keys onto the coffee table.

Rafael was right,we worked way too hard.I’m going to be sore in heels tomorrow.

As my mind wandered, my eyes swept the room and landed near the door, on the floor. Two large black objects took shape. Shoes. Loafers, more specifically. I started to sit up slowly.No way were Viviana’s feet that big.

As my mind sluggishly connected the dots, I realized the shower had stopped, and I heard the low hum of voices. My jaw sunk to the floor.

This is not the way to reconnect with her, you idiot.She’s going to be so embarrassed.

Go, go, go!

I scrambled to my feet and tripped over them as I ran toward the door, only to realize I’d left my things on the table. I dashed back to retrieve them, panting.

A sound of shock interrupted me, followed by my friend’s familiar voice. “Annie!”

I winced, squeezing my eyes shut as I felt around for my phone while leaning down. “I … so sorry, Viv. I was in the neighborhood and wanted to surprise you, and thought I’d just wait and … I’m just going to go.”

“Ah … It’s OK, Annie,” said Viviana warmly. “Stay.”

“I mean, don’t leave on my account,” said another familiar voice, followed by a chuckle.

I looked up in astonishment, dropping my things. My lips formed anObefore breaking out into a massive grin. “You guys are—oh my gosh, I’m so happy for you!” I ran at Viviana and Jack full speed, pulling them both in for a group hug.

Too late, I realized they were wearing robes, barely dressed, so I stumbled back quickly. “Oops, sorry, I was just … I can’t believe this. You two! I mean, well, actually I can. You know what? I totally saw this coming.”

My friends’ wide smiles turned to confusion. “You did?” Viviana asked.

“Well, in him, at least,” I said, smiling and pointing at Jack. “We’d had lunch a couple times, and I kinda got the sense he was in love with you.” Then I covered my mouth with my hand. “Oh no, sorry, the L-word. Is it too soon?”

They both laughed. “Not at all,” Viviana said. “I just found out he loved me yesterday. This is, obviously, the big news I wanted to share.”

With eyes twinkling, I said, “Well, I guess you did, in the most dramatic way. I love dramatic, so A plus for you.”

“Well, there’s also my new job. But that’s not nearly as exciting as this guy finally falling in love.”

“Not just falling in love, Vivi. Falling in love withyou,” Jack said, his eyes full of adoration. I just stared in amazement. I’d never, ever seen this side of him—or even any hint that there couldbea side of him like this. I felt a glow of genuine happiness for them as he smiled at us both and started to head to the bedroom. “I’m going to finish getting dressed and then go back to my place. I want to get a run in before dark, and you two probably want to catch up without me hovering around.”

“I’m not going anywhere, so I don’t need to change,” Viviana said, pulling me over to the couch. “So tell me everything! Wait, have you eaten? Should we get food? Drinks?”

A burst of something warm and wonderful bubbled up inside me. It was this. Friendship. My face glowed with happiness as I nodded. “Yes to the food. No to the booze. I’m starting my dream job tomorrow, so I can’t be hung over. And honestly, I need to cut back anyway.”

She stopped before heading to the kitchen. “Wait, hold on—I need to know about the dream job!”

I laughed. “Well, a stepping stone to my dream job, but still. Yeah. I’m on cloud nine.”

“Hold that thought. Just let me get somenonalcoholicbeverages then and order some food,” she said, practically skipping the rest of the short way to the kitchen. I smiled, getting comfortable on the couch and grabbing one of the comfy pillows.Austen themed, of course. Viviana was an Austen fanatic. I didn’t mind Jane Austen, but the themes of love and romance and happy endings, well … they just didn’t suit me at the moment. I frowned, thinking of my Kylan drama and looking over at my friend. Talking about that with her would be risky, so I decided not to bring it up. It wasn’t worth risking the recovery of our friendship right now, which seemed back on track so far.

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