BLAIR: Anytime
JENNA: Get ready forallthe juicy details
I snort out a laugh and my mood lifts, once again owing it to Jenna. It’s been two weeks since we first met, but I swear my life has changed color. She’s bringing me out of my shell and forcing me to stand tall, when I really want to cower, providing support when I’ve been feeling so lost.
The best part—she has no connection to my life back in Jacksonville. And for the first time, I’m free.
“There’s that smile again.” Nathan brushes my arm as he walks in, his own smile wide. “I think someone likes California.”
“It’s growing on me, sure.” I offer a nonchalant shrug and he laughs.
“Either way, it’s good to see you happy again. It’s been a while.”
My smile drops as I frantically shake my head. “What? No. I’m happy. You make me happy.”
“Oh, I know. But you’ve been down since you saw—”
“Nope.” I throw my hand up between us. “Not talking about the past, remember?”
“Because that’s healthy.” Nathan raises an eyebrow and I can’t help but laugh.
“I promise, I’m good. And it’s nice having a friend.”
“Ah yes, the elusive Jenna. When am I going to meet her?”
“This weekend? She said she’d come out after the game.” My chest tightens at the thought of Nathan’s game against San Francisco, but I don’t mention it. We’ve had a big talk about the fact that he’ll be playing against Zane, and decided it was bestnotto mention it again.
“Speaking of…I got you your usual seat in the front row. But if you’d prefer not to go…” He trails off and I have to wonder if for the first time, he’d prefer I wasn’t there.
“I promised I’d come."
“I know, but—”
“No buts,” I cut him off again. “I’ll be there. Rain, hail, or shine.”
“It’s October in Los Angeles. I think you’ll get the shine.”
“If you jinx it…” I pause, reaching for his hand and giving it a tight squeeze. “I’m not going to be happy.”
“I thought it didn’t matter?” He stifles a laugh while I growl.
“I lied. My hair hates the rain and I want to look nice.”
“You always look nice.”
“Thanks.” He squeezes my hand back, a lot more gently than I did his, walking away with a bounce in his step.
My brows draw together when he’s gone, and an uncomfortable twinge has me rubbing my chest.“You always look nice.”
He tells me that often, but this time it feels like he’s talking about the weather instead of trying to make his girlfriend feel better about herself.
Nathan’s a great guy and he looks after me. He always has. But he’s not big on descriptive notions of love. Does he like my eyes? Does he think I smell nice?
I have no freaking idea.
Until Jenna told me I was beautiful, I hadn’t realized I was missing out. Now I can’t help wondering, if a stranger can tell me that, why can’t he?
Ignoring the tension itching to send me spiraling again, I release a slow breath and focus on my book. Nathan and I have been together for years. He makes me happy. There’s no reason to be questioning that now.
