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“Because you’re upset, and I want to help.”
“It’s stupid, Riley.” She folds her arms across her chest and lowers her head. “I’m stupid for getting upset from hearing his name. It’s not like I don’t think it a million times a day but hearing it…” Her voice trembles and a few more tears leak from her eyes. She wipes them away.
“It’s okay.” I touch her shoulder.
“It’s not okay,” she snaps, her eyes glossy and red. “I came here to be alone, not to be surrounded by people or play games. I shouldn’t have let Gigi talk me into joining.” She stares longingly at the pool house, the lights glowing within. “I wish I had the Caribbean suite.”
“Caribbean suite?”
“The room in the pool house. Gigi names all the rooms based on their décor. Yours is the Caribbean suite and the most private on the property.”
“Oh. I didn’t know. But if having that room will help, then it’s yours. I can move my stuff out tonight.”
Glistening yellow-green eyes jump to mine. “You would do that?”
“Sure.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” I shrug. “It’s just a room. I didn’t pick it. Gigi put me there, but I don’t mind moving or trading rooms with you.”
She studies me like I’m an alien. “No one is that nice.”
“Maybe you haven’t met the right people.”
“Maybe.” She glances at the grass and then lifts her gaze back to mine. “Would you really give me your room tonight if I asked you to?”
“Yes,” I say with certainty.
“Wow. You are like no one I’ve ever met. No guy, anyway.”
Cheers erupt from the direction of the party.
Nova glances that way. “Do you think everyone saw me leave?”
“No. And those who might have, seem to have forgotten.”
“I’m tired of being embarrassed because of him. I’m tired of hurting.” She wipes a stray tear from her cheek. “I need to get over it already and move on.”
“It doesn’t work like that though, does it? Getting over someone or something because you want to. The heart and mind don’t have an on/off switch. If they did, I’d have turned mine off long ago.”
I’m not sure why I’m telling her this, except to try to make her feel better. I don’t usually open up this way.
Her eyes widen with surprise, then her expression turns sincere. “You’re a good guy, aren’t you, Riley?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “I wasn’t always.”
“I can’t imagine you were ever awful.”
“Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of time to think about the past and my actions.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Her exquisite lips tilt with the sweetest smile.
If the sun were to break through the night sky, it’d be dull in comparison. That smile is like a hundred shooting stars.
I don’t know what it is about Nova or why she affects me the way she does, but I’m sure I’ll be sad to say goodbye when the time comes.
