I hugged her tight. “I know.”
We stayed like that for a minute. Then Stella broke the silence with a cry of dismay when she realized I’d already started the movie.
“What kind of sister are you?” She huffed.
I snorted with laughter. “We can restart it. It’s not like we don’t know this one by heart.”
It was our favorite movie. We both curled up on the couch under a blanket and started the film over after ordering pizza.
If only my life would work out like Buttercup without all the drama in between. Spending the rest of my life with my one true love sounded perfect.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Dean
The sun peeked throughthe tall buildings as I walked downtown to Kennedy Plaza to grab lunch. I was close enough to see my favorite food truck, Loco Loco, parked in its usual spot. Reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket, I withdrew my phone and texted Jaxon.
Me: Dude, you here yet?
Jaxon: Give me a few more minutes. I got held up.
Me: Cool. Want me to grab something for you?
Jaxon: Yes! Get me avocado fritters and a beef and black bean burrito. I should be there by the time it’s out.
Me: You got it.
I placed our order and looked down at my phone while I waited—still nothing from Ashlyn—it was now Wednesday. When I dropped her off on Saturday, things were fantastic between us. We’d texted all night. Even though I was out with the guys, I couldn't stop thinking of her. Then not only do I get one word texts but she tells me that she was assigned to another floor over the past few days.
As they were calling my order number, Jaxon came strolling my way. We grabbed our food and headed to a nearby bench in the park. As we stuffed our faces, I debated about what to say.
“Sorry I was late,” Jaxon apologized.
I shrugged. “No big deal. Something to do with work?” Jaxon was a professor of Literature at the local Ivy League university.
He leaned against the bench. “Yeah. Remember that rare book I found?” He’d actually gone to Bits and Bobs Restoration, an eclectic antique shop, to pick up a vintage sign for my game room and instead walked out with a rare manuscript the business had acquired during an estate sale. The business hadn’t had a chance to go through the box of books and had no clue what a “gem” they had, according to Jaxon.