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Instead, I crawl into bed and look forward to the morning when I can see her again.
Yet when I wake up in the morning, she’s not anywhere. I check the house up and down. What the hell?
When I get to the kitchen, I find my mom drinking her coffee. “Morning, Rhett. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thanks for not changing my room around.”
“I’m secretly hoping you return.”
I smile. “I’m thinking about it. Maybe follow in Brad’s footsteps until I can snag a job in film production.”
“Sounds perfect to me; whatever you’d like to do,” my mom says, distracted by something on her phone.
I sigh. At least I got some of her attention this morning. I pour myself some coffee. “Have you seen Maia yet?”
“Oh yes. I was supposed to tell you. She went shopping with Zoey and Emily.”
I glance at the clock on the stove. It’s only half past nine. How early did they go?
“Damn, that’s early.”
Mom shrugs. “When I came down around eight, they were all in here, chatting and drinking coffee. They said they were heading to the mall and would be back. I didn’t want to wake you; you needed your rest after all that driving.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I just didn’t expect them to have gone already.”
“Your sisters have taken a quick liking to Maia. Can’t say I blame them.” She glances at me and smiles. “I like her, too.”
“Me too. As a friend.”
She shakes her head. “You’re silly.”
“There’s nothing silly about it. She’s staying in California after graduation, and I’m ninety-nine percent sure I’m moving back home. Why start something we can’t finish?”
“But what if you’re giving up something good? What if she’s your person?”
“What if? I can’t rely on what-ifs. It doesn’t change the fact we’ll be thousands of miles apart. What kind of relationship is that?”
“When two people fall in love, Rhett, they do anything to make it work. Maybe you compromise by staying in California, or maybe she compromises by moving here. Don’t miss taking a chance on a great love because you’re afraid of what the future holds.”
“I don’t want to get hurt. But more importantly, I don’t want her getting hurt.”
“Oh, Rhett, my sweet boy. I think it’s a little too late for you to worry about that.”
“What are you talking about?”
She tilts her head to the side. “I see the way you two look at each other. Anyone would be a fool not to see it.”
“We’re close friends. That’s how we look at each other. You’re reading into it too much.”
“Okay, whatever you say. But just remember, what is life without taking some risks?”
I don’t say anything. Instead, I refill my mug and head back up to my room to wait for Maia to come back.
She finally arrives by lunchtime, and she’s full of energy and excitement. Thank God my sisters treated her well.
“Rhett!” Zoey screeches, and we hug. She looks so different too, just like Emily.
“Wow, you’re so grown up now too. Thanks for taking Maia out.”
