Page 95 of This Changes Everything

“Cameron dry-humped me against a wall once.” Kara jumped into the fold like a real contender. “In your house. Your games room.” Kara knocked her elbow against Hannah. “Those Campbell boys, am I right?”

“I literally don’t know what to say right now,” Hannah said.

I crossed my arms around my stomach and folded my fingers into Rory’s. He kissed my shoulder softly, reminding me that we were in this together. With his lips, I felt our lightning bolt pierce through me from my shoulder to my feet, rooting me to the ground. My back fused into his chest, and we breathed together. I wondered if we had always been in it together. Did we still have moments, even while apart, when we thought the same thing at the same time? Was the reason I could never let him go, no matter how hard I tried, because he was always “in it” with me?

“Cameron’s going to be so mad at me.” Orson laughed, covering his face with his hand, then scraping it over the top of his head.

“Cameron knew this was going to happen. He can deal with it.” Rory stepped out from behind me, holding my hand. “Well, this has been very fun, guys, but we’re gonna go.”

“What?” I spun around to face him. “What happened to let’s dance and try not to grope each other?”

“Baby, we’re not doing that.” Rory smiled, amused with himself for saying “baby” in front of everyone. He held my surprised stare.

I glanced over at my friends, and they all awkwardly looked down at their drinks, attempting to avoid eye contact. I looked back at Rory.

“They know we’re leaving together,” he said. “We know we’re leaving together. It’s time we finally leave together, Ellie.”

Maddy looked up at me. “Oh wow. I’m so excited for you right now.”

I couldn’t blush any harder.

Rory began giving out goodbye hugs. “Happy birthday, Zoë.”

I dragged my hand down my face and mouth, trying to stop myself from smiling. Or crying, maybe? I actually had no idea what emotion was about to pop out of me. I was feeling too many.

“Well, it certainly went better for you this time around, didn’t it, Rory?” Zoë teased.

Rory chuckled, accepting the light ribbing.

“Wait, are we seeing you before we fly out tomorrow?” Hannah asked as she and Rory hugged.

“I’ll bring Ellie back to you ladies in the morning. And I changed our itinerary when you were all at dinner, so Orson and I are on the same flight as you now.”

“You guys are in first class, aren’t you?” Kara sulked.

Rory lifted his shoulders, his response a mix of “oopsies” and “oh well.” He captured my hand again and squeezed. “Let me go settle everything up.”

“No, absolutely not. You’re not paying!” I interjected. This night was for Zoë’s birthday, and Rory had only met her twice.

“No, Rory, don’t . . .” Kara faux-whined as she mimed pulling out an invisible wallet from her purse, making Hannah and Maddy laugh.

“No way,” Zoë argued alongside me. “These are my contacts; you need to let me show face here.”

“Zoë, forgive me and forget it, because this isn’t a negotiation. You’re the birthday girl. I’ll be right back.” Rory gave my hand a quick kiss before jogging to the bar to try to flag down our table’s host.

My heart was expanding and pressing into every other organ in my body.

Once Rory was gone, Hannah looked at me, wearing her big sister hat. I could tell she was balancing a few precarious emotions. Elation, fear, worry—I could see them all behind her gray-blue eyes. “Be careful, Ellie.” She tapped my chest, right above my heart. “I’m worried about this little ticker of yours.”

“Hannah, it’s Rory.” I still wasn’t fully processing the weekend.

“Exactly.”

“I’m okay, sissy.” I hugged my sister, then turned to Orson. “It was so good to see you, Orson.” I hugged him, but could feel his trepidation.

“Wait. Hannah, I know you’re worried about your sister’s heart. I get that. But I’m worried about Rory’s, and Cameron and Blair will kill me if I don’t at least say something.” Orson turned to me. “Ellie, I know he’s hurt you, but you’ve hurt him, too. Rory’s been in love with you since you were kids, and even after everything that’s happened between you two, he still is. It took him a long time to find himself after you moved away. Don’t hurt him again.”

Everyone was quiet.