Page 35 of Party Favors
Benji blinked a few times, his gaze ricocheting between Wren and Amanda. “Yep. Let me tell you about the sponsorship opportunities I’ve gotten for my Insta. I’m aninfluencer. Did you know that, Amanda? I influence.”
Amanda knew her fair share of influencers. High society kids, who made their money taking pretty pictures and curating their presence for the internet. In an alternate universe, that would have been her route. She could have modeled her vintage clothing finds for her followers, but she was a bit too closed-off for that.
None of the influencers she knew were like Benji.
He regaled them with funny stories about lingerie and followers and Instagram censorship.
Amanda tried not to peek at Wren through it all, but it was hard. Ugly insecurities were bubbling up inside her. Worry about being seen as boring or shallow or spoiled. Or worse—that shewasthose things, not just that people might view her that way.
Hours later, after the pizza and soda were gone, Amanda’s awkwardness had finally started to wear away. She and Wren were sitting on the edge of William and Benji’s hot tub with only their feet and calves in the water because they didn’t want to walk to their cottage to get their swimsuits.
Benji and William had gone inside to put together a cheese tray, leaving Amanda and Wren alone. William and Benji’s cottage had a kitchenette, and Benji was very excited about the charcuterie board he’d planned.
“I’m going to run to the bathroom,” Amanda said.
Wren was quiet, but it no longer felt uncomfortable. More like she was sleepy and content. She smiled, nodded, and touched Amanda’s hand briefly.
As Amanda slipped into the cottage, she heard Benji’s voice, needling and filled with excitement. She paused to eavesdrop.
“But, William, that building by Mount would be a great retro clothing store. Can’t you imagine? The neighborhood is so neat and quirky, and it would be the right size.”
“Amanda lives in California, remember?”
“She could move.”
A rushing noise filled Amanda’s ears. Her stomach swooped at the realization that they were talking about her, and her face went up in flames.
“She’s not going to move, sweetheart.”
Amanda pressed herself against the wall and tried to slow her breathing.
Benji growled. “Why not? Sheshouldmove! Have you seen the way Wren looks at her?”
“I know. Typical of Wren to fall for someone so …” William huffed. “It sucks.”
Amanda wanted to shout. “Someone sowhat?” But her breath had left her at the other bomb William had dropped.
The one about Wren falling for her.
Amanda wasn’t sure what she was feeling, but maybe, just maybe, it was happiness.
Chapter Nine
Wren gazed up at the stars as she and Amanda walked to their cabin. It was very dark out here, much different than the perpetual light pollution in the city. There was no one around since it was well after midnight. Technically, it was New Year’s Eve. The shock of that date spread through Wren. Her time with Amanda was running out.
That was okay. Wren would live. Now she knew what it was like to be with Amanda, and that was worth the pain of their impending separation.
She wouldn’t trade the seeds of her crush blooming into full blown flowers for anything. It had been worth it.
Amanda tangled their hands together, and Wren’s heart pounded double-time. She had no idea what to say or do, and that wasn’t Wren’s usual state, chatterbox that she was. Maybe her problem was that she wanted to beg Amanda to stay longer, or to do long distance, or to give her—this—a shot.
But Wren’s heart was bruised. Too many failed attempts. She’d been told too many times that she was too wild to tame, too flippant to have a serious relationship.
Amanda pulled her to a stop as they reached a wooden garden arch covered in white twinkle lights.
“Are you mad at me?” Amanda asked. She was wearing one of Benji’s large sweatshirts since her coat was still damp and smelled like chlorine.
“Of course not. Why would I be mad?”
