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“Well … I wouldn’t go that far. I was just enjoying the privacy, and the chance to be a regular person, you know? It was nice to have you all like me just for me,” I admitted.
Jasmine got up and crossed to me, her arms reaching out to take my hand in hers.
“We do like you for you, Zoey.”
“I like you guys too, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything.”
“I get it,” Serena chimed in, speaking up for the first time since entering. “And I’m sorry I assumed the worst.”
“That’s okay … I get it too. Your cousin’s a very handsome and likeable guy, and I actually love the fact that you guys are all so close that you’d look out for him that way.” I smiled at the younger woman, then gestured to my notes. “That’s actually why I rushed back here …Watching you guys and the dynamics you share helped me figure out what’s been missing with the story I’m writing.”
“Is it the third book in the trilogy?” Jasmine asked, clapping her hands excitedly.
I laughed and answered, “Yes. Have you read them?”
“Are you kidding?” she replied, her voice raising an octave. “Who hasn’t? I love this series and cannot wait to read book three. I?
??m so excited that they’re being made into movies. Do you get to decide who plays your characters? When do they start filming? Will you get to be there?”
“Jasmine,” Serena said, quietly chastising her cousin, but I just giggled at Jasmine’s enthusiasm.
“Sorry,” Jasmine said, blushing slightly.
“That’s okay,” I replied, squeezing her hand. “I really appreciate the fact that you love my books so much. Um … no, I don’t get to decide who will play each part, but they are asking for my input. They start filming next month, and I get to stop by the set, but I probably won’t be there the entire time. I’m a little nervous about the stories translating well to film, but I’m also really excited, and beyond honored that they’re being made.”
“That’s so cool,” Jasmine breathed, and I had to laugh. She sounded exactly like my teenaged fans, and I kind of loved that about her.
“It is pretty cool,” I agreed, then added, “I’m sorry if my running off came off as strange. You didn’t have to come check up on me. There’s nothing wrong, I just got an idea that I had to get down.”
“I totally get that,” Serena said, surprising me. “When I get inspiration for a painting, I have to start working on it right away. One time we were all together for Thanksgiving, and I was suddenly struck with the burning need to paint … I left before dinner and drove six hours back to my studio.”
Jasmine chuckled and said, “Your mom was so mad.” She turned to me and added, “She’d invited this guy over. He was new in town and didn’t have any friends or family. She was hoping he and Serena would hit it off and give her lots of grandbabies.”
Serena groaned and threw herself backward on the bed.
“My mom is crazy for grandbabies.”
Another knock on the door had all of our heads swiveling.
“Am I interrupting?” Gabe said as he eased the door open, revealing a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hand.
“Nope, we were just leaving,” Serena replied, jumping off the bed and walking toward her cousin.
Jasmine crossed over to me and leaned in, whispering, “You don’t have to worry, we won’t tell anyone your secret. It should be up to you…”
“Thanks,” I replied, smiling back at her. “I really appreciate that.”
“You two be good,” she said loudly, then kissed Gabe on the cheek before following Serena out of my cabin and leaving Gabe and me alone.
Chapter Eleven ~ Gabe
“You sure I’m not interrupting?” I asked when Zoey stood unmoving, her eyes wide as she watched me come in. “I can come back another time…”
My words seemed to shake her out of her reverie, because she shook her head and answered, “No, please, come in.”
I grinned at her stilted movements, wondering if my being in her space made her nervous, and hoping, just a little bit, that it did.
“I’m sorry if I seemed strange, running off from dinner like that, but I had an idea for the book that I’m working on, and I had to get it down while it was still fresh.”
