Page 36 of Love Felt Like This

Okay, I believe you.

I trust you.

“And thank you,” I add, and maybe I hold on for too long—or maybe she does—because suddenly both of us drop our hands at the same time.

She finally smiles, and I return it.

“So,” I say. “Tell me where I’m vacationing.”

“Elk Grove, North Carolina. Pancake capital of the world.”

“Really?”

“No.”

“Fantastic.”

Post: A set of photos from the restaurant with the text “GRIFFIN HARVEY AND WHO?”

Comments

OMG. I love when celebrities fall for normal people!!!

48

What a perfect couple.

72

PLEASE LET THEM LAST.

34

we all need to act totally normal about this

7

he holds her purse!!

86

how does it feel to live my dream??

39

wait isn’t this the chick that dated beau years ago?

115

Chapter Seven

Pancake Capital of the World

Beverly

The wind whips against my face as I wait outside Asheville Regional Airport with a fresh cup of coffee in my hand and the bite of January on my nose. It’s a jarring shift from the warm winter in California to the ravaging gnaws of freezing wind in a North Carolina New Year. What was once light bomber jacket weather is now thick faux fur coat hanging down to my knees type of weather.

A succinct, squeaky honk raises my attention to a minivan at the end of the airport’s pickup line. Through the windshield’s vignette of condensation, my dad’s bearded face grins out at me. I return the smile, feeling like a kid again as I hurry over, my backpack key chains rattling against the zipper, and the two massive suitcases in my freezing palms bumping over the sidewalk.