“Would you be mad if I told you that I had spare keys and was able to get in there to fix up what needed fixing?”
Her mouth drops open. “Did you?”
“That depends. Are you mad or happy?”
“If you have, then I’ll kiss you right now.”
I grab my phone and scroll to the gallery before showing her. I watch with bated breath as she scrolls through each of the pictures, and at each pass, her smile grows wider.
“Nate, this is beautiful. You didn’t decorate.” It isn’t a question.
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t. I remembered you said you wanted to do all the decorating yourself and make it your own. I only fixed what we agreed needed fixing.”
“You seem to be fixing way more than I bargained for, Nate Peterson.”
My heart flutters as she says that. So I open my arms and tilt my head, Hayleigh climbs into my lap, and I wrap my arms around her. Whatever happens, this right here is what I want.
Hayleigh, with me.
I just have to show her she’s worth it.
Chapter 18
Hayleigh
It honestly feels like I’m living two separate lives, before Roselake and after. Right now? Well, now I’m back in my parents' home, wondering why the hell I didn’t stay with Nate and my friends.
My phone dings with a message, breaking my pity party for one. I open it up, and my mood instantly lifts.
Emmy
We miss you, and you’ve only been gone for a day… how are we going to cope?
Lacey
I second this. Can you come back already?
I’m smiling like a loon; the feeling of being loved is overwhelming sometimes.
Me
I miss you all too
Then a thought hits me, all my friends and my sister, together, having fun.
Me
Why don’t you all come up here for a trip out? We could have a nice spa day and a meal…you could all meet my sister *smiley face emoji*
I wait with bated breath. What if they say thanks but no thanks? What if bringing my two worlds together makes them collide?Jeez, stop catastrophising, Hayleigh.
Emmy
Hell yes! Spa day! *party hat emoji*
Lacey
As long as there’s food, I’m in! Can’t wait to see you. Shall we say next weekend?
