Page 99 of This Changes Everything

“Yeah?”

“And as luck would have it, Guns N’ Roses—”

He didn’t let me finish. “Yes.”

“Are playing there—”

“Yes,” he interrupted again.

“In a couple months.”

“Yes.” He brought his mouth down to mine one last time.

“Okay.” My heart fluttered.

“Okay,” he murmured, opening his eyes and smiling against my mouth.

“Let’s go, first class.” Kara pulled on the back of Rory’s white T-shirt, tightening it around his body and taking him away from my arms.

He walked backward, smiling, not taking his eyes off me. He adjusted his Dodgers hat, but his auburn-tinged hair still flipped out from the sides. I looked at him, and my throat closed. Remember this, Ellie.

Drive safe, he mouthed.

I nodded and moved to the driver’s side of the car. Before I ducked into my car, I called out, “Text me when you land.”

He nodded and brought his hand next to his hip, where he bent his middle finger and his ring finger into his palm, subtly telling me in sign language that he loved me. My arms were still on the roof of my car, so I flipped my wrist up, doing the same. He smiled and then disappeared into the airport.

Chapter 36

LOS ANGELES 29 years old

I WENT TO GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, TO WATCH RORY PLAY in a tournament. I brought Zoë with me so I wouldn’t be sitting in the stands or walking the course alone. Orson was there as Rory’s caddie, and Zoë was more than thrilled to spend some more time with him.

“Nothing’s happened between you two?” I whispered to Zoë as we watched Rory make his way to the tenth tee. We were surrounded by full trees, lush greenery, and a crowd of spectators.

“Literally nothing. He slept with me in my bed last night, and I felt . . . things in the morning.” Zoë’s eyes went wide. “Very exciting things. At one point, I woke up in the night and he was cuddling me, but that’s it.” Zoë sulked as we watched Rory drive the ball. We clapped along with everyone else, then she leaned in again. “I don’t think he likes me like that.”

“He’s looking at you right now,” I noted, but Zoë still wasn’t so sure. When they made eye contact, Orson turned away, putting his attention back on Rory.

“See? What was that?” Zoë asked.

“I don’t know.” I frowned at Orson’s reaction, wishing I hadn’t said anything. “He’s working, though. Don’t worry about it.”

“Do you remember him being shy when you were young? Because he wasn’t shy in Vegas. I’m getting some crazy mixed signals here.”

“Yeah . . . Maybe. I really don’t know, Zoë. Rory’s told me that he’s into you,” I admitted.

“Well, can someone tell Orson that?” Zoë joked.

It was a thrill to see Rory in his element. Fans, employees, commentators, even his competitors were fawning over him. I tried to keep my distance, so as not to crowd or distract him, but every time he saw me standing at the back of the crowd, he would shoot daggers at me with his eyes, then crank his head for me to come closer.

At night, the four of us would go to dinner, and Rory would parade me around as if the night were mine, introducing me to everyone. When Rory threw out “Ellie golfs, too” to a journalist he was making small talk with, I choked on my drink, bringing up some backwashed wine into my glass.

“No, I don’t.” I shook my head, full blush. “I used to when I was a kid.”

“She’s really good.” Rory winked at the journalist. “She’s also a writer.”

“Rory! Stop.” My body curled in on itself as the journalist smiled at me. “No, I’m not.”