Page 35 of The Fangirl and the Grump

I know you don’t see me that way.

Oh, Keegan. I really do.

But I can’t tell her that, can I? As much as I want her, even if I were to decide I could handle a short-term thing, the thought that I’d be some kind of rebound for her after everything she’s been through leaves a sour feeling in my gut.

I know it makes no sense. Whether I’d be a rebound fling or not, I’d still only be afling. The reasons behind it don’t matter when I know whatever we start would have an expiration date. But it still feels wrong.

Pinching my lips together, I type out another text.

Me:You’re welcome for today. It was my pleasure. Really. I’m glad you had fun.

And I am glad. I really am.

Getting to know her a little better, feeling that Keegan sunshine warm my skin, is all the thanks I’ll ever need.

ChapterFifteen

Keegan

It’s six-oh-four on Monday morning, and Willow is already grilling me about Trace and where we went yesterday. She never did respond to my text, but I know she texted Trace asking what was up because he told me about it.

“Trace really never told you?” I ask as I flip on the espresso machines.

“Not a single word,” she sighs. “Now, spill.”

“He took me to Aria’s––I mean, well,yourhouse, I guess,” I say, then grin. “I guess he thought I’d like a tour, and he was right. It was awesome.”

When I realize she’s not responding, I turn around to see her staring at me with parted lips and wide eyes. Cocking my head, I narrow my gaze.

“What?”

She sputters for a second, then asks, “He took you to the house?”

“Yeah.”

“Like,insidethe house?”

“Yes, Willow,” I drawl. “Inside the house.”

“Sorry,” she says, shaking her head roughly. “It’s just…I’m shocked, really.”

“Why?”

“Besides the fact that he hates that people are so obsessed and constantly refer to it as “Aria’s” house?” she asks, and I feel my face heat.

“I may have called it that when we pulled into the drive,” I admit.

“Exactly,” she says, and her expression softens. “He hasn’t spent more than a few minutes at a time inside that place since our grandfather died five years ago.”

“He…what?” I stutter.

“Too many memories. It makes him sad, so he only goes in there when he absolutely has to, even though he owns the place and quite honestly, should be living there. Raising his own family.”

Her voice turns a little wistful with that last bit, but she quickly snaps out of it and clears her throat. Then she levels me with a serious look.

“The fact that he took you there, knowing it would make you happy because you’re a CursedCub and would love to seeAria’shouse, is kind of a big fucking deal, Keegan. Shit. No wonder he refused to tell me yesterday.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, not really knowing what else to say.

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