“Did you tell him you’d be here?”
“Yeah, he knows. He wanted to tag along but I told him I wanted it to be the four of us.”
I slump, feeling crappy all over again.
“No, I didn’t mean it that way. Really. It’s cool, Ellie. I can tell how much you like Will. And how much this all means to you. I just don’t feel the same way.”
“You don’t like Frank that much?”
He keeps his gaze trained on the crowd. “Frank is amazing. He’s... well, he’s not like anyone else I’ve met. Or am likely to meet in the future.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He turns, scowling. “That’sthe problem. I’m not going to be living here. And he’s not going to be living in America. So, it’s like, what’s the point?”
I lean back, surprised. “The point is that you like him. And that you’re only here for a few months.”
“Exactly.”
“Soenjoy these months, Huan. Live them up. Don’t overthink it.”
He shakes his head. “Aren’t you scared of what happens after that? When we go home? How are we going to go back to Waterford after... all this?”
I pause. At the beginning of the trip, my worst nightmare was going back to Waterford. The idea of seeing Andy and Crystaltogether was enough to keep me hopping from one European country to the next until after graduation. Now... I still don’t want to go back, but it’s not about them anymore. I’m dreading Waterford because that means I won’t behereanymore. No more Emberton Manor, with its grand halls and rolling green fields. No more weekend trips to gorgeous cities with my friends. And, even worse, no more Will being only a train ride away.
My phone buzzes with a text from Will. He’s illegally parked.
I jump down from the ledge. “Let’s not think about going home yet.” The only thing we should be doing is enjoying each day as much as we can. There’s no time to waste.
I wave down Dev and Sage. “That’s my ride.” I hold up my phone. “Who won the argument?”
Dev puffs up proudly.
“Wow, impressive.” I politely clap. “Well, take lots of pictures today. And have a good time looking at all the art.”
“And you have fun making out a lot,” Huan replies.
“Oh, I will.”
Dev grimaces. “Please, no pictures then.”
I wave and hurry away in the direction Will told me. When I get to the edge of the square, I turn around to wave again but they’re already taking a group selfie. My heart stretches in two directions, pulled toward Will and my friends simultaneously. I wish I could have a few more minutes with them. And I wish I could have more days with Will. Mostly, I wish I didn’t have to choose.
Chapter
22
When I find Will, he’s double-parked on an insanelybusy road and he’s leaning out the door, waving at a bus to go around him.
“I’m here, sorry!” I scramble into the car.
As soon as I’m inside, he hits the gas and swerves onto the road. “The traffic around here is shite, but it’s worth it.” He kisses my hand and all thoughts of Trafalgar Square fade. “I’m so glad you’re in London today.”
“Me too.”
“We’re okay?” he asks, his eyes still on the road. “You’re not cross with me?”
How can I be cross when he’s looking so perfect next to me and is kissing my hand and asking me if I’mcross? It’s impossible.
