“Yeah, where, Gatsby?” Neal leaned against the doorframe and snickered.
“Next door?” I connected the dots. “Oh my god, Gatsby, are you living next door?” My mind was reeling so hard and fast that for a moment, it went blank. “Of course,” I whispered, still in disbelief.
Of course, he was living next door. Neal had told me so weeks ago. Back then, I’d thought it was purely coincidence, or someone trying to hurt me. I’d thought it might be theopera owner even, but never in a thousand lifetimes had I considered that it could be my Gatsby. Wait… was…
“Let’s go.” Gatsby grabbed my hand and tugged me forward.
“Really?” A giggle escaped my lips as I stumbled over my feet, abandoning any other thoughts.
“Really.”
“You’re welcome!” Neal called after us.
“The sun is coming up. I can’t believe we talked all night!” I exclaimed as we hurried through Neal’s yard and over to the one next door. I stopped short in front of the massive home. It was twice, if not three times, the size of the house Max bought across the lake. It was gorgeous. I’d never been inside a house this large. It completely overshadowed everything else around it.
“This is my home,” Gatsby said softly. “Would you like to see it?” He squeezed my hand and ran his thumb across my engagement ring. His question went deeper than simply if I wanted to see his estate. I turned my head to look across the lake. The green light on my dock flicked off. I smiled at my Gatsby.
“I would.”
Chapter 26
Daisy
Age 15
“I can’t believeyou’re here. How?” I reached for the boy with the bright blond hair and vibrant green eyes and pulled him into my Nona’s shoe closet.
He chuckled. “I saved up my money and bought a bus ticket. Today was important to you. I didn’t want to miss it.”
I threw my arms around him. “I can’t believe you came.” I squeezed him so tight I was sure he’d burst.
“Daisy—” Gatsby wheezed.
“Shhh!” I let him go and put a finger to his lips. “No one calls me that. They all still use my other name.”
Gatsby made a sour face. “That’s going to be weird.”
“Yes, but you have to use it. If my Nona hears you call me something else, she’ll want to know why and howyou know me and then—” I was beginning to spiral. My hands went to my temples, and I paced the walk-in closet.
“Daisy… I mean… it’s going to be fine. I won’t slip up. I promise. I won’t even say your name at all. Your Nona won’t suspect a thing.”
I stopped moving and looked up at him. We were the same age, but he was so much taller than me. “Promise?”
“Of course. Relax. Everything is going to be fine. Let’s rejoin the party.”
“How long are you here for?” My tummy fluttered with butterflies. He was really here, in the flesh. The boy I’d been talking to on the internet and on the phone for the last two years. He was real.
“Just today. I have to be at the bus station at 11 tonight.” He gave me an apologetic smile. I could have cried, but I hugged him instead.
“Thank you for coming.” We exited the closet, and I took his hand and dragged him through the house and out into the backyard. “Everyone is in the garden.”
“Your dress is very pretty,” he complimented. I blushed, looking down at my quince dress. I’d been allowed to choose it myself—a rose pink ball gown with red tulle overlaid. Large roses were sewn on the skirt and bust. Strapless, it made me feel like a woman.
“Thank you. Your suit is very nice, too.” It was the same red shade as my dress.
It was his turn to blush. “I looked it up. I wanted to match you. Even if people can’t know...”
I took his hand and squeezed. “I know, and that’s enough.”
