Page 38

Grace

I am.

Brooke

But you hate him.

I take a moment before I reply. This is one of those moments where it counts. The part where everyone in our lives needs to believe this.

Grace

It was easier to hate him than to believe he didn’t return the feelings I have for him.

Brooke

What? OMG. Grace, this is HUGE.

Grace

It’s something. I’ll share more at girls’ night, but I wanted to be sure to thank you for the bread and let you know I’m not ignoring you.

Brooke

One day of missed texts is nothing. I’m just happy you’re happy.

I put the phone down and quickly finish my bath. I want what she’s saying, to be happy, and the only way to do that is with these details, the way Preston suggested and to be sure we run the narrative.

I dry off and wrap myself in my robe, hair still pinned on top of my head with a few pieces that have broken free and are sticking to my neck.

I open the door to the bathroom and spot Preston right away. It’s hard not to. The cabin is not large by any means. The bathroom isn’t attached to the master bedroom, so I have to cross the mini hall to get there, and the living room and kitchen are one big room.

Preston is on the couch again, his gaze glued to the TV. I slowly step toward him, looking at the screen.

“I knew it,” I say, grabbing the closest pillow and tossing it at him.

He grins. “Come sit.”

I do, making sure I’m at the opposite end, far from him.

“Tell me about these rules you want.”

“We can go over it tomorrow. You’ve worked all day, and you should get to relax. And I’m sorry for snapping at you. I should have gone about this night differently.”

“Trust me, the more we finalize the details of this plan, the more relaxed I’ll be, and … don’t be sorry. I needed the reality check. If we are going to make this work, our relationship has to change. It won’t be easy, but as of this moment, I can promise you that I’m going to try my best.”

He turns to look at me, a small smirk on his lips.

“You promise?”

I nod. “I promise. Now, let’s do this rules thing.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, pausing the movie.

I nod.

“Okay, well, I have at least three events I’ll need to go back to LA for in the next few months. I’ll share my calendar with you. Outside of that, I think it’s best if we are here in Lovers.”

“But your home is in LA. Won’t that be weird if you don’t go back?”