“What are you talking about?”
I try to shrug it off, but my fingers twist the end of his tee. “On the phone, I heard a girl giggling your name.” I elaborate when he doesn’t answer. “You and Leo were waiting for a cab. You had a birthday dinner to go to in Malibu.”
“Fuck, Mads…” He kisses the top of my head. “I wish you had mentioned something sooner. Iwaswith two girls…one was with Leo, and the other was her sister, who was there with her boyfriend. Nothing else was going on.”
“Oh.” My shoulders slump. “I’m sorry. I don’t like being insecure. I promise, but sometimes my mind runs wild, and I can’t stop it.”
He links our fingers together, guiding me toward the table. “I’d rather you care than not. But we don’t have much time, so let’s enjoy what we have.”
I frown. “Not a lot of time?”
Mason checks his watch. “An hour, maybe. Two, max. We’ll eat fast, then you two can have a little time alone.”
Disappointment settles deep in my stomach.
That’s barely anything.
A tease.
Before I can dwell on it, Nate nudges me. “Before we order, there’s something important we need to do first.”
Oh!
“I nearly forgot.” I stare down at the envelope weighing down my hands. The outcome of my entire future is determined by one single piece of paper. I breathe in through my nose and slowly let it out to calm my nerves.Just open it already. “I’m scared. You do it.”
Nate shakes his head, his smile soft. “No way, babe. You need to do this yourself. Trust me.”
“Okay…okay.”
“Maddieeeee,” Leo groans dramatically.
Nate shoots him a glare. “Don’t rush her, dickhead.”
I glance between them, a smile tugging at my lips. “God, I missed you two.”
Mase rubs my back, gently reminding me to open the letter.
I tear it open slowly, afraid I’ll rip it, then unfold the thick, glossed paper.
The writing on the top is embossed in the USC colors of cardinal red and gold, but it’s the words beneath that steal my breath.
The paper slips between my fingers, my hand flying for my chest as I struggle to breathe. The tears clouding my eyes come on instantly, and disbelief hits hard.
Nate leans down and scoops up the lost paper. He and Mase lean in, scanning the words together.
“Holy shit,” Nate yells, ignoring the disgruntled patrons around us. “Mads, babe!”
He lifts me, arms tight around me. I bury my face in his neck, whispering, “Is this real?”
“You did it, babe. You fucking did it.” He spins me, peppering kisses all over my face. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I think I’m in shock,” I mumble.
Mason’s standing there, pulling me in next.
“Can you believe it? I’m finally leaving Georgia.”
“Madeline,” he murmurs, emotions thick in his voice. “I always knew you could do it. You’re the most talented, determined person I know.”
