Page 93 of Austen Persuaded

Kelly grinned. “I love it. You’re fine. I’ll go next, OK? If my hovering brother can make himself scarce.”

Kylan sighed. “All right. I know when I’m not wanted.” He started to walk away and then turned back, meeting me with mysterious grey eyes I couldn’t look away from. He might as well be staring into my soul. “Maybe we can talk later?”

My breath caught, and all I could do was nod slightly. With superhuman effort, I forced myself to turn toward Kelly, who began to tell me all about herself. It was easy to focus on his sister though. She was one of those people who were ridiculously easy to like. But of course she was. Everything in the universe seemed to be conspiring against me in the goal to get some safe distance from him—and from all the reasons I should’ve never walked away from him.

Fortunately or not, Kylan never found me alone again. I was dying to know what he wanted to say—but also terrified at the same time. Lucky for us, Jack had stayed sober and driven me along with Viviana and Jane to Viviana’s place for a girls’ night/after-party after dropping off Jenn, who claimed to be exhausted after only two drinks. I probably should’ve abstained, but we were celebrating, right? We teased Jenn that being married with children suited her, as much as she liked to complain about it.

“Annie, I am so excited to finally meet you. And so excited for you, seriously,” Jane gushed, her eyes lighting up as she leaned forward on the worn-in couch in Viviana’s one-bedroom apartment.

I giggled. “You might have mentioned that, uh—”

“Four times. No, five!” Viviana said, holding up fingers. “Jane’s such a cute drunk, I swear. The cutest I’ve ever seen. If only I were into ladies, we’d be a perfect match.”

“I’m only tipsy, not drunk,” Jane said with a smile. “I actually dated a fellow Austenite once, and you’d think it would be amazing, right? But nope. Most boring relationship I’ve ever had. We were too much alike, I suppose, at least at that age, when attraction was, for me, all about romantic tension. I’d settle for comfortable and easy right now.” She frowned, tilting her head back as she took a long swig from her champagne glass. Viviana was quick to open a new bottle and ready to pour some more.

“Jane, you’ll find the one. You’re far too sweet and amazing and interesting and, just,everythingnot to find someone who’s just as awesome,” Viviana gushed, leaning over for a hug but landing on Jane’s side instead. They both laughed as Jane pushed her upright.

“I think we’re all a little more than tipsy,” I chimed in. “Though my opinion is probably worthless since I just met you, you seem awesome, so I think your Mr. or Ms. Right is still out there.”

“Aww, thanks, Annie. I can see why everyone loves you so much.”

I nearly spit out the champagne swirling in my mouth. “Everyone loves me so—”

“Oh come on, Annie, what do you think tonight was all about? And the promotion? And just … come on, don’t look so surprised,” Viviana said, her brows furrowed in confusion.

I eyed them both warily. After a long moment of self-doubt, my lips slowly curved into a smile, and I laughed. “Of course. I’m amazing.”

Andthereit was, the confidence I’d lost in these past months—the confidence that had surfaced only rarely lately but had still gotten me where I was today, a star rising quickly in a new career.

“You ladies are amazing too.” I wiped a small tear from the corner of one eye and sipped my champagne. Or perhaps it was more than a sip. “OK, I have to confess something. Like I have to tell someone or I’ll scream. Can we just make it, like,thatkind of girls night? Please?”

“Yes, so much yes!” Viviana nearly shouted. “I need that kind of girls night.”

Jane smiled. “Yes please.”

“So, I’m going to come right out and say it because I’m drunk. Yeah, you heard it. Drunk, not tipsy.” I took a deep breath, wondering if I was crazy for doing this. Forfeelingthis. “I am, uh …” I trailed off, squeezing my eyes shut.

Could I actually say it out loud?

If not now, when?

“You’re …” Jane prompted me.

Taking a deep breath, I spit out the words. “I’m still in love with him.”

“With—” Viviana asked, her tone cautious.

I stared at my lap. “Kylan.”

Viviana exhaled softly, and I cautiously looked up to see a small smile on her face.

“Are you … you’re not disappointed?’

“I was afraid you might say Brandon! So, I’m relieved.” Viviana smiled, holding up her glass before taking a long swig.

I watched her closely. “But … you don’t like Kylan.”

“That’s not true. I don’t dislike him. I just … disapproved. That sounds awful when I say it aloud, yeesh. But anyway, that was the past.”

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