Page 5 of The Last Love Story
“Obviously. Have you not met me? Meddling is fun.”
Zoey gives a long-suffering sigh. She’s probably been on the receiving end of that more than anyone. They’ve been besties since they were kids, and with Trish now engaged to their other friend Mikey, she’s been a little extra pushy about Zoey’s feelings for Mikey’s brother Luke. Zoey swears up and down they’re just friends, but they definitely aren’t. It’s fun watching your friends live out real-life romance tropes.
I glance back at my phone. Is there a romance trope waiting for me?
Nope.I am not going there. Not at all.
There’s a loud knock on my door, and Trish grabs her phone. “Must be the warden.”
“I can hear you,” Mikey says through the door.
We dissolve into a fit of giggles, and Mikey swings the door open. Scanning the coffee table, he sighs. “How much wine have you had?”
I shrug innocently. “Those were empty when we got here. It’s magic.”
“Uh huh. Good thing I brought reinforcements.” Then Lukewalks in behind him, all long-ish hair and tattoos. Zoey practically purrs when she sees him. But sure, no feelings there.
“Have they been getting into trouble?”
“We’re innocent angels,thank you,” Zoey says to Luke.
The predatory smile on his face is downright indecent.
Mikey glances at me, as if thanking me now for getting them a little tipsy, like he hopes that’ll push Zoey and Luke over the edge.
I shake my head and climb off the couch, then make sure Trish and Zoey have everything.
Mikey wraps a big arm around Trish and guides her out the door. Luke looks at Zoey. “You okay to walk by yourself?”
“Yes. I’m a big girl. I’m fine.”
But I don’t miss the way she leans into his hand on her back as I shut and lock the door behind them.
My eyes are heavy, and I’m surprisingly relaxed, if a little energized after reading that message from Justin.
Grabbing my water bottle and phone, I switch off the lights, then head down the hall of my apartment to my bedroom.
Once I’ve washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on my comfiest sleep clothes, I crawl into my bed and use the app on my phone to turn the air conditioner down another degree. I’d rather sleep cold than hot.
Then, because I can’t help myself, I grab my phone and open those messagesfrom Justin again.
Me: Thanks for your message. It always feels amazing when someone says they love my books. For the record, I’m a fan of yours too. And sorry, the fan club president position is taken by a rabid reader friend, but I can see if she’s willing to have a co-president.
Justin Ayers: I’ll get pom-poms and be your cheerleader. I’m just happy to shout about your books. Which I’ll be doing the second I finish this book. Which will probably be tonight because I have no chill.
Me: I love that for you, though you might hate that for yourself in the morning! I’ve stayed up late bingeing books a few too many times. It always hurts the next day.
Justin Ayers: But the pain is worth it. Especially for this. I NEED to know what happens with Colby and Jess.
I send him one of those emojis that convey an uh-oh vibe. Because it’s possible that’s what this book’s cliffhanger revolves around.
Justin Ayers: You’re killing me! Now I have to finish it. I need to know what happens.
Me: If you survive the night, feel free to message me in the morning and tell me your feelings.
Justin Ayers: You’re leaving me to face this alone?
Me: I don’t know where you are, but it’s almost midnight here. I like sleep. But feel free to rage message me. I won’t see it until the morning anyway.
