Page 14 of The Last Love Story
“Honestly, it’s beenmonthssince you’ve been here, and now you’re ignoring us? Rude,” Hallie says, eyes dancing with trouble.
I clear my throat. “Sorry.”
“Since we’re all here, who is it that you’re messaging nonstop?” Dev prods.
I put on my most charming smile. “Just trying to get some spoilers about book eight. Have to have something to hold over your heads.”
I turn my phone screen back on and quickly type another text to Jade.
Me: Sorry. Gotta go. I’m being heckled by my friends.
Jade: All good. My hands are tired. Have fun!
Me: Night.
“Were you seriously messaging her?” Kennedy asks, eyes alight.
“Who else would it be? All the important people are here,” Hallie says.
“Hey, I have a family.”
I don’t talk to most of them, but still.
“Most of whom you don’t like,” Devon says. “Speaking of, how’s Georgia been?”
I shrug. “Still doesn’t feel like home. I don’t know why I remembered it being so idyllic. Maybe that’s just what I wanted it to be.”
“I understand,” Kennedy says. “Sometimes you build something up differently in your mind.” She flashes a smile at Devon. “Then find out home isn’t where or what you thought it was.”
Hallie quirks a brow. “I think you had unrealistic expectations and wanted your hometown to be Stars Hollow. Also known as fictional.”
“Hey, I think Ida gives some strong Stars Hollow vibes,” Frannie says, referencing the little town upstate she moved to a few years ago.
“Agreed. Always loved visiting there as a kid, and getting to live there now, I love it even more,” Mark adds.
I chew on my lip, then take a swig of my beer. Would moving to a town I’ve never been to be crazy?
Maybe.
But I always liked New York, generally speaking. I like the northeast, I love snow, and the summer weather here is less suffocating than down south.
“You know, if you were interested in checking it out or… moving, I happen to know of a couple available apartments,” Frannie says. “And the landlord is great.”
She looks up at Mark, who smiles at her, then looks at me.
“Yeah, I bought Frannie’s building a couple of months ago. We renovated the top floor into a penthouse, so her apartment and the one across from it will both be available at the beginning of July. One is yours if you want it.”
I spin my beer bottle, thinking it through. My mom will complain endlessly, but what else is new?
“You know, I think I might take you up on that.”
Kennedy laughs. “Frannie’s just trying to move the whole friend group there.”
“Hey, I know you’re happy in Brighton. Maybe I’ll convince you to retire in Ida, though.” She winks at her cousin, then looks to me. “No pressure. But keep it in mind if you need a change of pace.”
Should I do it?
What is there for me in Georgia?
