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I roll my eyes. “I went out with him three times. We were both bored and couldn’t keep the conversation going. I think he only asked me out to get his mom off his back. I know it won’t work, trust me. Besides, I think he’s a better fit for you.”
She wrinkles her nose and drops her arms. “Don’t change the subject and tell me your news.”
“You’ll never believe this,” I follow her around her desk as she plops into her chair. I lean my hip against her desk. “I put Rockwell Davenport’s name on my Christmas list.”
I raise my brows, and she stares back with dull, brown eyes.
“Interesting choice, but not wholly surprising. I’m proud of you for following through.”
I resist my exasperation. “I’m not finished. I put his name on the list, and I kid you not, five seconds later the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, guess who was on the other side?”
“Your mom?”
“No.” I roll my eyes. “Rockwell!”
Gabby jumps out of her seat. “What? Why didn’t you call me?”
“You had your ping-pong tournament with Sophia, remember? Then my weekend got crazy-busy fast. I had to represent us at the Wassail Night meetings all Saturday, and besides church Sunday, I spent every spare second cutting snowflakes out at my parents’ house.” I intentionally leave out how Will was at the Wassail meeting. Gabby would only ask if I’d made an effort to talk to him. How could I when thoughts of Rockwell were taking up every spare brain cell?
She’s still staring at me. “Your excuses disappoint me. Even his crazy older sister has come back to town a few times, butneverhim.”
I appreciate her reaction. I need someone to share my shock with. “It gets crazier. He’s renting the other side of the duplex from us for the holidays.”
Gabby’s head comes closer to mine like we’re sharing ghost stories. Rockwell wasn’t a ghost, was he? I’m still in denial that he was in my duplex two nights ago. “Stop. He comes here out of nowhere and is staying next door?’
I give a grave nod. “It was like I subconsciously summoned him.”
“That’s weird.”
“I know. But he didn’t magically fall at my feet, apologize for leaving me behind, and beg me to date him. So sadly, that’s where my fantasy ends.”
“Maybe I need to write a list.”
“I thought you were the rational one? Travis is the one responsible. He arranged for Rockwell to stay for the next couple of weeks. Which means you and Jocelyn have to behave.”
“Us? You’re my only concern. What if he breaks your heart again?”
“His presence here has nothing to do with me. Although, for a second, I actually thought my list was responsible.” This is exactly why I’m careful not to overfeed my romantic imagination.
“It’s fascinating thinking Travis is behind this. How did he do it?”
Travis was the most eligible bachelor in Bearwood, which isn’t saying much. He moved here when we were seniors in high school, and we were all surprised when he came back to settle here after college. Our group of friends isn’t particularly close to him since he offended Jocelyn (which is nearly an impossible thing to do) the year he moved back.
“I can’t figure it out,” I add. “Travis was never close to Rockwell in high school. I’m not sure how he of all people managed to convince Rockwell to come back.”
Gabby squints at the music note border above my head. “I might have heard they went to the same college.”
“What? I’ve never heard this before. It makes sense though.” How did I miss Travis and Rockwell having more history past high school? And why do I feel jealous? I drag myself back to the conversation at hand. “Either way, it’s clear Rockwell didn’t come over Friday night for me at all. Which is fine since I looked like a homeless person. I had popcorn strewn all over our couch. He probably thought I’d let myself go. He practically ran out the door after he took his key.”
“Please tell me you weren’t wearing your Mickey shirt.”
I grimace. “It’s so comfortable.”
“Didn’t Jocelyn and I beg you to donate that one?” Gabby groans. “Forget the shirt, you still have time to redeem yourself if he’s staying next door for a few weeks. He should regret what he left behind.”
“Really? Because I didn’t get the vibe that he’s interested in hanging out with me, and I’m not going to throw myself at him.” I push my dark hair behind my ear. “If it’s meant to be, things will work out on their own.”
Gabby blinks in a slow, exaggerated way like she’s telling me I’m stupid with her eyes. “Enough of this guy-chase-girl mentality, or my life happens like it does in the movies.”
