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Lily bounces in her seat, trying to be happy for her boyfriend while trying to contain her excitement and curiosity.
Chloe pulls the collection of books out from behind her and presents them to my sister. Lily leaps off the bed and grabs them from Chloe. “Is this what I think it is?”
Chloe nods with her lips kicked up. “You bet.”
“A series of books about Selos and Fiora’s epic story? I thought these aren’t available yet!”
“Not to the public,” I tell her. “But the guests were able to buy an advanced copy.”
“We knew you had to have it,” Chloe adds.
Lily flings her arms around Chloe, squishing her to her chest. “This is one of the most awesome gifts anyone has ever given me. Thanks so much!” She releases Chloe and then pulls me into her arms. “You guys are the best brother and friend I could ever ask for.”
I smile. “Of course, sis.”
The others thank us for their gifts as well.
“Did you get the set of books for yourself too, Chloe?” Lily asks.
“I got the series about Aleriana and Torenin.”
Lily squeals. “Fiora and Selos are my favorite, but you need to let me borrow Aleriana and Torenin.”
“Duh. As long as you let me borrow those.”
Lily hugs her again. “Deal!”
When Lily releases her from the hug, Chloe smiles at me, a real, warm smile. It’s like she’s giving me a message—we made Lily and Xavier happy. They couldn’t make it to the convention, but they have a little piece of it with them.
But I’m more focused on the fact that she’s no longer shutting me out. Whatever that was this morning…I hope we can forget about it and go back to how we used to be.
Best friends.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chloe
“Ugh,” I mutter as I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror Monday morning. I wish I could go back in time and agree to allow Liam to sleep on the floor at the motel. Not that I would have wanted him to be uncomfortable, but it would have saved us the awkward morning. Liam is mybest friend. We’ve known each other since we were in diapers. And we woke up together in one bed like we were a couple.
“Ugh, again.”
This is why I can’t think of him other than my best friend. I can’t get closer to him, even though a part of me wonders, hopes, dreams…
“No.” I shake my head resolutely. Liam and I need to be friends and only friends. Because he and I are good together, and if I would lose him, it would change everything. Ruin everything. And not just for him and for me. It will affect the whole gang. How weird would it be if two of the Junior Musketeers would become closer? Hang out all the time without everyone else and make out and…
And what would happen if things didn’t work out and we broke up? Would that tear apart our friends? Lily would have to side with Liam because she’s his twin, and what would Ava and Willow do? Not to mention my friendship with Liam would be over. No, no, no. Things have to stay the way they are. Theyhaveto.
Which is why I sit down at my desk to write a letter to my secret admirer. I can’t ruin my relationship with Liam because he means too much to me, but I have the potential to start a relationship with someone new. I know he hasn’t been treating me fairly by keeping his identity a secret, but I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe there’s a genuine reason for his behavior. Maybe he really is shy or has anxiety and needs to take things slow. Maybe he’s never approached a girl before and is scared of being rejected.
Or maybe he’s been burned in the past and is trying to protect his heart from possible future heartache. I believe deep inside that he’s a good guy who just needs time. I can give him that. I’m hoping that he would read my apology letter and forgive me and we can pick up from where we left off.
Taking a deep breath, I start the letter:
Dear Secret Admirer,
Hi. It’s me, Chloe Barrington. How are you? I hope you’re doing okay, and I hope it’s okay that I wrote you this letter. There’s so much I want to say to you. I hope you can find it in your heart to accept my apology and forgive me.
I’m sorry for pushing you when you weren’t ready. I think I’ve just been…I guess a little too eager to find out who you are. No one has ever written me a letter before. Well honestly, no guy has ever been interested in me before. Your letters were so special and I loved your poems. They made me feel something I’ve never felt before. So it drove me a little crazy, haha. But I want you to know that I can wait. I can wait as long as you need. Until you’re ready to reveal who you are. If it helps, we can continue writing letters and get to know each other better. If Derek Chen is okay with being the deliveryman, I would be okay with this arrangement.
