“Fuck yes,” Isabelle hisses. “And you’re onNotting Hill,we’re right on time then.”
“Oooh, did she already give the speech?” Lana asks and turns to my kitchen.
“Not yet.” I snort and close the door.
“I brought some wine,” Isabelle says cautiously.
Lana chortles. “Guys, it’s fine if you want to drink wine. Even if I don’t drink, you can.”
“I’m sorry.” Isabelle grimaces. “I know Luca was a dick?—”
“It’s fine,” Lana reassures us. “Friendsgiving shook Christian up a bit, but he’s okay.”
Luca and Christian were in some weird fight because of what he did on Friendsgiving with his secret drinking while he moped over Elena.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Lana says a bit too sadly. “He’s okay now. He’s forgiven Luca and trust me, Lucagroveled.” I laugh with her. “He sentgifts.Apology gifts, Nat.”
Isa guffaws. “He did?”
Lana nods. “I feel bad though.” She frowns. “I know we all miss Elena, but Luca…”
Luca bleeds for Elena—always has. Everyone knows it.
I sigh.
“Anyway,” Lana sighs. “Movie and food!”
My day ends with my friends sitting on either side of me on the couch. With each rom-com, we recite their love confessing speeches together—especially during10 Things I Hate About You—with giddy smiles and butterflies in my belly while I think about a certain someone.
#
It’s day three when I wake up and drag myself into the shower. I wash my hair, deep condition, and style it with my creams and diffuser just because. I enjoy having my hair done, and since I’m trying to do things that make me happy this week, I’m styling my hair.
I diffuse it and spray my volumizing spray and hydrating mist, topping it off with a loose, messy bun to complete the half-up, half-down look. I lay the edges carefully then pull out the short spirals at my ears and…voilà. Not half bad. Might do this look more often.
My phone vibrates on the sink counter and without checking the caller ID, I hit the green button and put it on speaker. “Hello?”
“Hey,” he says. I would recognize that voice anywhere. “I’m coming over.”
“Oh.” I begin washing the product off my hands. “Why?—”
“Dinner from Beetlejuice,” Rowan says. “Burgers and fries and some soda, if you want. I’m pulling into the market to grab some soda right now, never mind.”
I grab my phone and exit the bathroom, turning off thelights. “You don’t need to buy?—”
“I’m already at self- heck-out.”
“Liar,” I snarl playfully, plopping right down across my couch.
“You didn’t hear the beep? I just scanned the bottle. Beep.”
I laugh. “You’re so—” I’m cut off by my own laughter. “Just—See nowthatwas a beep.”
Rowan laughs. “I’m walking to the car now.” I hear the door shut and the engine turn on. “I’m basically around the block.”
“Okay,” I breathe, my cheeks warming and feet wiggling with the anticipation of him coming through the door.
