Ashton’s gaze flitted to Tally as if wondering what he’d do if he were me and she was in Blue’s situation. Then he shrugged. “Okay. Do you need me to talk to your professors?”
My shoulders relaxed. “Let me send them a message and if I need you to, I’ll let you know.”
He hugged me again. “Ford’ll stay at the hotel, as long as you need. He just got off that super long tour, so I think he’s enjoying hunkering down for once.”
Tally snickered. “He was watching his third episode ofThe Bachelorwhen we left.”
“I’ll talk to Silas.” Ash tilted his head. “You’re over eighteen, Anna. It’s okay to do something other than what he wants you to do. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
I sagged in relief. “Thank you.”
Tally and Ashton waved and walked toward the exit. I motioned for Brooklyn to hang back.
I chewed my lip. “Can you…can you just tell Jonah I’m sorry?”
She gave me an abnormally sad look. Normal for most people. Abnormal for my no-nonsense friend. “Yeah. I’ll tell him.” Then she hugged me so tight. “I’m proud of you, Anna. Go after what you want.”
“Even if I get my heart broken again?” I hugged her back.
She stepped away and winked. “After the way he was looking at you just now?” She shook her hand like it had been burned. “Not a chance.” Then she walked away.
I pulled my phone out of my back pocket.
I’m going to stay for a while. The doctor thinks it will help Blue. Maybe he’ll remember faster.
Jonah’s texting indicator appeared. Then it disappeared. I stood there, waiting. But it didn’t appear again. I couldn’t blame him. The most popular TikTok video of the “Rocky Top”/High School Sweethearts incident had already garnered 400,000 views and continued to climb. #Blupree was the second highest trending hashtag on all of social media, only behind Penelope the Goat who welcomed the sunrise every morning, standing on the hood of her owner’s car, screaming at the top of her lungs.
How had people found out about the ship name Blue and I were given in high school?
“Anna.”
I turned to see Blue coming toward me, wearing the UK joggers and compression top Madden had dropped off earlier. His stupid shirt showcased every muscle in his stomach, chest, and shoulders. Good grief. How was I supposed to think straight when he was wearing something like that?
The hope in Blue’s expression reminded me of our high school days, whenever he asked Silas if the two of us could hang out. It used to knot his stomach daily. “You’re staying?”
I offered him a small smile. “Yeah. For a few days.” I shoved the phone back in my pocket.
His shoulders slumped in relief and he stumbled forward, pulling me against him. “Thank you.” His fingertips trailed along my spine and his cheek rested against the top of my head.
My arms went around his waist, sliding against the smooth fabric of his shirt until they curled around his chiseled back. My stomach relaxed the same way it used to when he held me like this. The feeling always reminded me of our annual Dupree Family Beach Week. Every evening after a day in the waves with my favorite people, I’d lie in bed exhausted. But it felt like I was still in the water, bobbing gently up and down. I’d fall into a blissful sleep, ready for the next day. Being with Blue had always made me feel that way. Completely blissful.
Realizing that made me feel like a jerk. He was going through the hardest trial of his life. He shouldn’t have to fear that I was going to take off on him the first chance I got. I needed to be his bliss right now.
I stepped back just enough to look into those warm eyes. “Of course I’m staying. This is exactly where I want to be.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead, shooting heat to my fingertips and toes. Blood rushed to my brain and I had to clench the back of his shirt to steady myself.
“Ahem,” Daisy cleared her throat suddenly behind us. I stepped back, though Blue kept an arm around my waist.
“Blue.” Shane’s head burst out of the doorway, eyebrow reaching for his hairline, eyes bulging like he was about to explode. “Get in here.”
Blue gave me a frustrated look and walked into the room.
Daisy moved in front of me, blocking my entrance, holding a stack of papers attached to a clipboard. “Since you’re staying, you may as well get a piece of the pie too.”
