Page 103 of Austen Persuaded

“It definitely means that.” Rainn grinned. “What are you gonna do about it, Annie?”

I opened my mouth at the blunt question, but it was a moment before any words came out. “I—I don’t know what you mean.”

Rainn’s grin only widened. “OK, sure, but can you do me a favor and get out of here? You can come back tonight.” He pulled Sofia close to his side. She laughed, seeming not to notice me in the room anymore.

I backed out, mumbling something incoherent as I left the apartment. Once out in the hallway, I stopped and leaned against the opposite wall.

This means …

Kylan’s not with Sofia.

This …

I leaned heavily against the wall, breathing hard.

This is everything.

“Annie York! How dare you text me at a time like this?” Viviana demanded after I picked up the ringing phone.

I laughed, which helped only slightly in dispelling the tension in every single muscle in my body. “I thought you might be busy with Jane’s visit.”

“Oh, she went back home today. Her boss—wait, it doesn’t matter. So, wow, Sofia and Rainn? Didn’t see that coming. Meaning she and Kylan aren’t …” She paused, and her eyebrows shot up. “Kylan is single!”

“Well,” I said cautiously. “We don’t actually know that. I only know that he’s not with Sofia.”

“But you haven’t seen him with anyone else.”

“No.”

“And neither have I. I’ve actually seen him a lot while we’ve been working to get my novel ready to shop around to publishers. He’s never said a word about his love life. I think … well, we haven’t talked about you often, but when your name comes up, I sense there’s something there.”

“Something, like what? Bitterness? Resentment? Reluctant lovers-turned-coworkers feelings?” I asked, my voice full of anxiety but also a little hope.

“No, none of that. Well, maybe a little of the last thing. But it’s more of … I don’t know, a softness. I think—” She paused. “I think he may still have feelings for you. But I can’t be sure.”

I tried to tame the hope fluttering in my chest. “Yes, well, anything is possible, but we don’t really know—”

“Annie.”

“Viv?”

“You can’t let him go again.”

“But I don’t even know if—”

“So what? This isPersuasion, Annie. By Jane Austen! Except you’re not quiet and modest like Anne Elliot. You’re Annie York, my fearless younger friend who is usually the most confident person I know. Give it a shot.”

I swallowed with some effort, and after a few shallow breaths, I replied, “You’re right. You—this isn’t like me. I go after what Iwant—always. And what I want is … love. And a career.”

Viviana cheered. “Yes! You and me both. By the way, I have some news myself.”

I gasped. “Did you—”

“Yes! He saidyes!”

“As if there waseverany doubt that Jack would jump at the chance to marry you. He’s been yours forever, Viv.”

“Aww, Annie. Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m this happy—well, we’ll talk more about that later. Anyway, just wanted to share the big news.” She paused, sounding emotional for a moment. “But back toKylan, go get your man! It’s my turn to be the rom-com movie sidekick character right now, and I’m loving it.”

---