Her hands clasp in her lap as well.
Though I fully expect her to protest, all she says is, “I won’t.”
As we sit in silence, staring out our respective windows, I know one thing for sure: Avery living under my roof is going to do nothing but enhance thisfeelingI have about her. The one that made me lash out. The one that made me want to protect her as one of my own. Because I can’t control the overwhelming feeling that she isn’t just a friend. I was never one to believe in fate, but Avery was dropped into my life when I was at my loneliest, when I was certain I was only destined for surface-level bullcrap. The more I spend time with her, the more it compromises the dysfunctional misbeliefs I clung to as truth. About myself, about relationships, about love. Even though I know it’s risky, she’s brought a light into my life that I didn’t know was missing. She’s made everything better simply by existing. And as selfish as it seems, I’m not ready to let go of it yet.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
AVERY
“Thanks for doingthis so last minute. If I didn’t have to work at McMurphy’s later, I would have had more flexibility,” I say to Larissa as I shut my car door and lock it.
“Glad to help. I’ve been stuck inside too long with whatever that sickness was. I couldn’t bail on you when you seemed so desperate for a new place.”
“I’m not desperate... I’m just on a time constraint. My house-sitting gig is up soon.” A cold panic crawls up my spine at how easily the lie flew out. But that’s the story I told to keep my secret, so despite the crippling guilt that comes along with it, I have to stick to it.
She sniffs and arches a brow.
I give her an uneasy once over, but there seems to be no residual illness and no suspicion. Five days is long enough to kick a sickness, right? “I’m just happy you feel better.”
“Me too. Sucks we had to miss the masquerade though. Sorry about that. And Ryan.”
My gaze wanders to the line of intricately detailed condos beside us, and I spout off the first thing that pops into my head. “Oh, it’s okay. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
“You’re pretty peppy about it.”
“When one door closes and all that, right?”
She shakes her head with a laugh. “At least you found out early that he’d be a terrible boyfriend. I’m proud of you for breaking free from someone like that, though. Sorry I didn’t realize how dismissive he was.”
“Stop apologizing! It’s not like you were the one treating me like crap. I’m already over it. I promise.” My memory circles back to that night with Ryan. How he treated me and how even just sitting across from Ty in near-silence made me feel heard. And then we went home. The memory of Ty’s warm, sure kisses floods my mind. Cars streak by around us and sirens blare in the distance, but I’m lost in some smitten haze. Watching him defend me yet again at the masquerade only added fuel to the fire. Going with him was a bad idea, but deciding not to kiss him was worse.
“This is it.” Larissa throws out an arm toward a concrete stoop with fluffy, white clematis climbing up the rail. Verdant vines tangle together between each silky bloom, their yellow centers vibrant and uniform. It’s breathtaking.
“How do you know this girl again?”
“Francesca? She’s my mom’s college roommate’s daughter. My mom gave me her number in hopes that we’d meet up, but we’ve never prioritized it. I literally know nothing about her or her family other than my mom seems to think they’re good people,” she answers as we march upthe steps to Francesca’s townhouse. Then she whispers, “Oh, and that she’s best friends with Ada Lane.”
“The actress?”
Her eyes are wide as she nods.
Ada’s last movie quickly became one of my favorites. It’s like I’m living in some lucky little bubble. First, I’m taken in by a reigning Super Bowl champ, and the next minute I’m rubbing elbows with a confidant of one of my favorite movie’s star.
City life is wild. The way lives interconnect in Vista City in the most unexpected ways never ceases to amaze me. I appreciate Larissa trying to find me a decent roommate, even if Francesca is basically a stranger to us both.
Larissa presses a button on a box at the heavy front door of the building. “Don’t forget I have that promo thing this afternoon.”
I wilt a little. “Oh yeah. I have to go to McMurphy’s and help out Mary, but the promo should be fun. They picked a good group.”
I hope I sound excited for her, because I am, but she’s the only rookie who was chosen to go. She’s a favorite of the higher-ups—as she should be. Larissa’s the whole package. She’s kind and genuine and talented. Not to mention stunning and extremely organized. She’ll probably be up for The Rookie of the Year award. Part of me wonders if they’ve noticed how scattered I’ve become lately. It’s an embarrassing thought to consider.
“Can you still drop me off?” she asks.
I nod as Larissa knocks again and pulls out her phone. “She said now was a good time.”
Lifting her phone to her ear, she clicks Francesca’scontact. I scroll my texts, not even stalling a little as Ty’s name scurries past. We haven’t spoken since the masquerade four days ago. He’s been wrapped up in practices, and so have I. Larissa tries Francesca again, and I scan my email for the first time in days. The good news is I have a new client! Yay! I quickly respond and let them know I’ve added them to my schedule. The next email sends my tummy tumbling into my toes.
“Crap on a cracker,” I mutter.
