I manage a smile, but Wren sees straight through it.
“Are you actually jealous? Because I don’t even remember his name?—”
“No. I’m not. I-I woke up, and you weren’t here, and … there was a part ofme that was always convinced this would never happen. And … I’m scared it’ll—concerned something will fuck it up. Me, specifically.” I rub my palms against her thighs. “I’m not jealous of some random guy, although I’m never going to like it when you get hit on. I’m worried you’re going to realize winding up with a guy without a passport isn’t what you want.”
Wren leans closer, until our foreheads are almost touching. “Do you know why I sent you that first letter?”
“Because you wanted to pass English?”
“Not even a little bit. Because I thought I’d never see you again. And if I didn’t, I wanted you to have some reminder of me. Because I wanted you then, and I want you now, and there won’t ever be a time when I don’t want you. Also, your lack of a passport is, A) irrelevant, and, B) easily fixed. If you want to travel, that is. I’ve gone to a lot of cool places, and this is my favorite spot—wherever you are. I’ve never been sure about anything the way I’m sure about you. I don’t make up fake hookups for just anyone, you know.”
I tighten my hold on her hips. “Not funny.”
“Any other response to my romantic speech?”
I smile. “I love you.”
“Better.” She brushes my hair off my forehead. I’m about to kiss her when she adds, “My mom wants to meet you.”
“I’ve met your mom,” I say stupidly.
“Pretty sure she was thinking you’d stay for a meal this time. And that my dad would be there too. And that I would be conscious.”
“Right.”
“They’ll both be in the Hamptons for Rory’s graduation party. My mom said you’re welcome to come to the party … and suggested dinner after.”
“Right,” I repeat. Suddenly, that’s the only word in my vocabulary.
Wren studies me. “They’ll like you.”
“You think so, huh?” I ask dryly.
“I know so. As far as parents go, mine are pretty great. They want me to be happy, and you make me very happy.”
“Not just not sad?”
“Not just not sad,” she says, playing with my hair. “Also, if you’re coming to the party?—”
“If you want me there, I’ll be there.”
She smiles, but then it becomes nervous. “My grandfather will be at Rory’s party. And I’ll talk to him beforehand, but he might be mad I broke our deal and say something to you anyway, so …”
I frown. “What deal?”
Wren exhales. “A lot of people consider my grandfather to be really important. My dad replaced him as CEO of Kensington Consolidated a long time ago, and now my uncle and cousin are part of the company, but Grandpa’s still sort of in charge in a lot of ways.”
“Okay …” I say, having no idea where this is going.
“The night you got caught out in that storm, I called my dad to see if he knew anyone who could help. Dusty was trying … but he wasn’t getting through to anyone. My dad didn’t answer, so I called my grandfather.”
I tense. Still confused, but somehow knowing I won’t like what comes next.
“He knew about the fight you got into at Lucky’s—the lawyer Rory had called told him—and he was never happy about me picking a public university. So, he said he’d make sure you got rescued … if I ended things with you and went to a college he approved of.”
I stare at her, stunned. “Like Cambridge?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “Exactly like Cambridge.”
