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Willow: Lily…
Lily: I don’t want Chloe to pine after him, but I also don’t want her to shut her heart off completely. But the choice is up to you, Chloe.
Ava: Maybe Lily’s right. Maybe keep the door slightly open?
Chloe: Maybe. I have a lot to think about. Thanks for the talk, guys.
We chat about other things before it’s time for bed. I toss and turn, telling myself to forget the secret admirer. He made his choice, and I need to move on.
But why does a part of me not want to give up on him completely?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Liam
Chloe and I have been working hard in the kitchen to perfect my recipes. I’m still a nervous wreck, but I’m more excited now.
The competition is next weekend. Yikes. That’s so soon. But I’m ready and feel good about it.
Today is Friday and Xavier, Lily, Chloe, and I are preparing for our trip tomorrow to Derryton for theSwords and Legendsconvention. We’ll be up before the sun, but it’s worth it.
Once we’re done packing our costumes and other items we’ll need, Chloe comes over and we binge the last few episodes of the show. I’m a little tired from all the cooking and basketball, butSwords and Legendsalways keeps me awake.
Before we begin the episode, I notice that Chloe’s quiet. She’s been quiet for the past few days. I bet it’s because of the secret admirer. He hasn’t written her any more notes or poems since she confronted Derek Chen.
The guy’s a jerk for playing with her emotions like that.
Chloe turns to me. “Why aren’t we watching?”
“I thought you needed a minute.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “Why? I’m fine.”
No, she’s not. But I don’t want to bring him up. Not only because I don’t like the guy, but because I don’t want to make her feel worse than she already does.
I start the episode and we watch. Normally, I get so sucked into the show that everything else around me vanishes. But because Chloe is in such a rotten mood, it’s hard for me to enjoy it.
“Want to do something else?” I ask her.
She blinks and looks at me. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like the show anymore?”
“Of course I do. I’m just worried about you.”
“I’m fine. Let’s watch. Lily said they’re going to show a sneak peek to the new—and possibly last—season and we don’t want any spoilers.”
I nod with a sigh and resume watching, trying to push my mind away from Chloe and my worried thoughts.
When we’re halfway through the last episode, Lily knocks on the open doorway and slowly steps into my room. The expression on her face makes my heart skip a beat.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, jumping to my feet.
She swallows, blinking away her tears. “Xavier’s grandfather was rushed to the hospital.”
I release a heavy breath and wrap my arms around her. “I’m so sorry. Will he be okay?”
She shakes her head against my shoulder. “I don’t know. Xavier just texted me.” She draws back and accepts a hug from Chloe. “I’d go to the hospital, but it’s too late and they don’t allow visitors. Xavier and his mom might be there all night.” She bites her lip. “Guys, he can’t make it to the convention tomorrow.”
I hug her close again. “Don’t worry about that. We don’t care about the convention.”
