“We’ll find a way through this,” Easton says. “I’ll get a better job that pays more.”
Rachel cries harder, and I reach over to pat her back, my heart breaking for my friend.
Not even a month after Rachel learned she was pregnant, they moved to LA, where Easton got a better job while trying to pursue a career in acting.
It’s been ten years since they left Verona.
Besides the four times Rachel and Lainey have come to visit me, we talk regularly on the phone and sometimes have video calls. I never ask about Easton, and Rachel doesn’t tell me anything about him. It’s been an unspoken rule since Easton became a famous actor.
I haven’t talked to Easton in over a decade, and now I’m heading to his house. He was my first and only love, and watching him turn into a devastatingly handsome movie star, my feelings for him have never died. If anything, they’ve intensified.
My mouth grows dry, and goose bumps spread over my body when I realize I’ll be at Easton’s place this time tomorrow.
When my heart starts to pound in my chest, I shake my head and focus on the reason why I’m driving to LA.
You’re going for Rachel.
I wonder what happened. It has to be serious because Rachel wouldn’t ask me to travel so far for no reason.
But crap, what do I do when I see Easton? Do I greet him like he’s nothing more than my best friend’s older brother?
Well, whatever you do, just don’t fangirl and faint.
After I stop for a quick toilet break, I buy a bottle of water and sip on the cool liquid while putting in gas.
The impromptu trip to California is going to take a big bite out of my meager savings.
Crap, I forgot about work.
Letting out a sigh, I lean into the cab and grab my phone. Opening the Messenger app, I type out a text to Sadie, my boss, so she’ll know I won’t be returning. I’ve been helping her part-time, but the pet grooming business isn’t doing too great to begin with, so I’m sure she’ll be relieved to be rid of me.
After I press send on the text, I drop the device back on the passenger seat and finish putting in gas. When I make the payment, I do a mental calculation of what should be left in my bank account.
I’ll have to get another job soon. The money in my savings won’t even last another two weeks.
Climbing back into my truck, I start the engine while thinking maybe I can find a good job in LA. That way, I can stay close to Rachel and Lainey.
It would be a dream come true.
Chapter 2
Nova
When I pull up to the impressive iron gates in Beverly Hills, my stomach is knotted with nerves. Rolling down the window, it sticks a couple of times, and I have to stretch out my arm to press the button on the intercom.
“Yes?” a man answers.
My stomach spins even more, and I swallow hard. “Hi. It’s Nova Allen. I’m here to see Rachel Rowe.”
“Follow the driveway all the way to the house and park by the garages, Miss Allen.”
“Okay,” I say, then quickly add, “Thanks.”
As the gates begin to open, my heart pounds a mile a minute.
I’m worried about Rachel, but I can’t help feeling anxious as hell about being at Easton’s house as I steer the truck up the driveway.
I suck in deep breaths as I drive around a bend and the mansion comes into view.
