Luke:Probably nothing.
Me:That’s what I’m thinking.
Luke:I think it means that Kaelric is complicated.
I snort out a laugh and cover my mouth when Sam looks at me.
I quickly text back.
Me:No, this is clearly Elora coming into her own
“And how is Luke Wilder?” Sam asks.
It’s fair of her to assume; he’s pretty much the only person I text these days.
“He’s fine,” I say.
She waggles her eyebrows. “You sure smile a lot when you’re texting him.”
“I do not,” I tell her.
But I can’t help it this time when my phone beeps and he’s sent me that same GIF he sent me before of a man running into the ocean.
“You’re doing it right now,” she says, pointing at me.
“Well, it was funny,” I say, showing her the GIF.
She furrows her brow, not understanding, and it’s too long of a story to explain.
“You have to know the context,” is all I say.
She stares at me for a beat. “I like this version of you.”
I tilt my head, not sure what she means. “What version of me?”
“I don’t know what it is,” she says. “You just seem . . . lighter. Happier.”
I give her a shrug. “I’ve been the most stressed of my life the past two months, but sure.”
She gives me a shrug back, not believing me.
Picking up the remote from her lap, she points it at the TV. “Should we watch our show?”
“Yes, please.”
Chapter 21
PR Tip #15:The best crises are the ones that solve themselves. Don’t get comfortable.
The next morning, the cryptic post makes so much more sense.
A picture surfaced late last night, after I’d gone to bed, of Bailey and River kissing.
They’re sitting on a couch, wearing the same clothes from the party photo—I only know this from a fan breakdown Tessa sent me with the pictures side by side—their eyes closed, lips locked.
The narrative right now is mostly excitement. Posts of fans screaming, jumping up and down, some even crying. There are, of course, some naysayers who keep asking if this is real and not some manipulated photo.
Luke and I are cautiously optimistic on the drive over to the studio this morning. It’s his turn to drive, since I did yesterday, and I have to say, I enjoy being chauffeured. I love not having to navigate traffic, and it also means I get to wear my favorite short-sleeve white blouse today—the cuffs are tight, and it’s annoying to drive in.
