Page 32 of Meet Me in the Valley
Try me.
Audrey
If you do that, we’re breaking up.
Tia
Says the one with the fat rock on her left hand! I was going to ask you to marry me, but D beat me to it.
Audrey
Should I leave him, then?
Tia
Is that even a question?
Audrey
He’ll be devastated.
Tia
He’ll live.
Audrey
Lol I love you.
Tia
Love you more, Auds. See you soon! <3
I steal one last glance in the hallway mirror by the front door of my parents’ house.
Audrey’s right—not that I’d ever say that out loud. I tore through my entire suitcase, clothes scattered across my bed like a fashion crime scene and still hated everything I tried on.
The truth? I wanted to look good tonight.Stupidlygood.
The kind of good that makes Logan do a double take and forget how to form words.
It’s ridiculous. It feels like I’m prepping for a first date—except it’s just a casual backyard barbecue with my closest friends. And I don’t even have a date.
Just this spiraling, slow-burning,possibly-falling-in-lovefeeling for a boy I have absolutely no business falling for.
So, yeah. Totally fine. No big deal. Everything’s under control.
Stepping back from the mirror, I assess myself and sway gently from side to side, watching the way my loose waves settle against my back. Soft, effortless—exactly how I wanted them.
The white cropped tee clings just right, showing a sliver of skin above my worn-in vintage jeans, the ones I scored in Austin that hug in all the right places.
I don’t work hard on this ass for nothing.
I lace up my platform sneakers and spritz a touch of perfume at the base of my neck, just enough to leave a trace.
One last glance. One slow inhale.I’m not overthinking it.
Then I hear it—that low, unmistakable rumble of an engine rolling up outside. The air shifts. My stomach tightens, my pulse kicks.
