Page 65 of The Fangirl and the Playboy

My gaze hops back and forth between them, but when they just continue to smile brightly at each other, I throw up my hands. “Cansomebodyplease just tell me? The suspense is killing me.”

“Pressley is moving to Evening Shade!” Keegan blurts like she can’t hold it in for another second.

“What?” I ask, my voice filled with wonder as I turn wide eyes toward Pressley. “You are? Did you find a place?”

“Not yet, but I know I will,” she says, her head bobbing excitedly. “I just decided to let go of the fear and make the damn decision. I opted out of renewing my lease in Seattle. I’ll figure something out.”

“I told you, Press. You can stay with Trace and me as long as you want.”

“I love you, Keegan, but no,” she says, then turns a bright gaze on me. “Have you heard how loud she and Trace get when they––”

“No,” I say quickly, a disgusted shiver rolling through me.

“Oh, yeah,” Pressley says with a giggle. “I forgot he’s your brother for a second.”

“Anyway,” Keegan cuts in, drawing the word out in long syllables, “I’m sure we’ll find something for you. Trace is already on the hunt. And if we don’t find anything right away, you can stay in one of his rentals for free.”

“And I already told you I can’t accept that,” Pressley says, rolling her eyes before pinning her best friend with an affectionate smile. “But thank you, and thank him for me. My current lease isn’t up for a few months, so I have plenty of time.”

Evening Shade is a small, close-knit community. The younger generations may head off to explore the world, but the older ones? They’re not going anywhere, which means houses rarely go on the market. And the few that have, my brother snaps up to use as rentals for the tourists.

My apartment complex is the only one in town, and it’s full.

“Keegan’s right,” I say, hiding the doubt in my voice. “We’ll find you something. I’m so glad you made the decision to move!”

I lift my margarita, and the other two lift theirs so we can clink our glasses together. As I sip at the tart, frozen drink, my mind wanders back to Gavin. I don’t know where he is or what he’s doing tonight, and I miss him.

Pathetic.

If I miss him this much already, how am I going to feel when he leaves town, for good?

ChapterThirty-Four

Gavin

Elliott Brumberg:Good news! The mayor and the town council agreed, and we’ll have the paperwork to them early next week. You were right. This place is perfect.

Squeezing my hand into a fist, I pump it rigidly while hissing, “Fuck, yeah.”

This is the best news, ever. I just hope Willow agrees. Speaking of which, I exit my conversation with Elliott to pull up my thread with the woman of my dreams. I check the time, and it’s after eight, so she should be up and done with her first cup of coffee by now.

Me:Good morning, beautiful. I missed you last night. Can I come over? I need to talk to you about something.

Setting my phone on the counter, I finish my own coffee before washing out the cup and setting it next to the coffee machine. I’m already dressed and ready to go––I’ve been up since before six, eagerly waiting on that text from Elliott.

My phone vibrates, and I quickly snatch it up, relieved to see a response from Willow.

Willow:Sure. Come on over, as long as you speak quietly.

My brow furrows at that, but I decide not to question the odd request. The more time I spend texting her, the longer it’ll be until I see her.

And I need to see hernow.

Me:Deal. See you in a few.

After shooting off the reply, I grab my wallet and keys and head out the door. I’m thrumming with excitement as I make the drive into town, and about halfway to Willow’s place, my excitement shifts into a more nervous energy.

What if this isn’t what she wants? Did I just commit to something that will torture me for years should she reject it?

---