Living Out Loud (Austen, #3)(43)

She looked up, smiling. “Well, don’t you look happy?” she mused, bookmarking her page with the ribbon in the binding before closing the sketchbook and setting it on her nightstand.

“I think I’m in love,” I said wistfully and flopped onto her bed with a dramatic flair.

She laughed. “Greg?”

I made a face at her. “No, Will.”

One brow rose. “And who is Will?”

“Oh, just my knight in shining Mercedes.”

“What in the world does that mean?”

I giggled and rolled over onto my stomach, propping myself up on my elbows. “So I was walking to work today—”

Her face exploded into a frown so fast, I almost got whiplash. “You what? Susan sent for the driver! Why did you walk? Did you tell Mama? Why would you—”

“Oh my God, will you just listen?”

She snapped her mouth shut, but the look on her face told me it had better be good.

“So, I sent the driver away because I had plenty of time before I had to be at work, and I wanted to walk. I stopped at every park bench, I swear. I wanted to work on what pieces to use for my audition and think about everything, and I was being perfectly responsible.”

Her face softened. “All right, I’m sorry.”

My bottom lip found its way between my teeth. “But then I was standing at the edge of the lake and…I sort of fainted.”

Another volcanic face explosion, this one into a mix of anger, shock, and fear. “You what? Annie, this is exactly why you’re not supposed to do things like this on your own. You didn’t tell any of us. None of us knew. What if something worse had happened? Did they have to call an ambulance? God, why didn’t you call me?”

When she finally took a breath, I cut in. “I’m fine. Everything was fine. It was a mistake to walk, and I’ll never do it again—I swear it. I just…it was such a beautiful day, and I was so happy. I thought I had it under control, that I was being smart. And you know why I didn’t tell Mama; she would have said no, and I didn’t tell you because you would have told Mama.”

She folded her arms and gave me a look that told me I was right. “Go on.”

“So, I fainted, and when I woke, I was in his arms. Will. He was so worried, so funny and nice. And God, he’s so handsome. When we stood up, I was still a little weak and fell into him. And get this: he scooped me up like a princess and carried me to the road so his driver could pick us up and take me to work. Can you believe it?” I giggled again, grinned and giggled and flittered and fluttered. “He insisted on picking me up from work and getting me home tonight, and tomorrow, he’s got a surprise date for me. And then we’re going to fall in love and get married in some super-fancy rich-people hotel and live in a penthouse and have a zillion babies.”

Elle laughed. “You are so ridiculous.”

I sighed. “I know. Isn’t it grand? Imagining is half the fun.”

“And what if it doesn’t happen like you imagine?”

“Then I guess I’ll just shrivel up and die.”

She snorted a laugh.

“Daydreaming is fun and free and makes me happy. And if reality isn’t what I’ve imagined, I’ll just dream up something new.”

“Well then, by all means, daydream away.”

I rested my chin on my hand, still grinning.

“So, what happened to Greg?”

My smile fell like a sack of bricks. “Were you still asleep when we talked last night?”

“No, I’m just wondering what happened. He worked with you today, right? Did you tell him about Will?”

I found myself nibbling my lip again and forced myself to stop. “Yeah.”

“Was he okay?”

“He was a little weird,” I admitted, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. “But he and Will aren’t on the best of terms. But I’m not worried. Everything will be fine. Greg is my friend, and Will turns my insides to glittery, sparkly goop.”

She gave me a look that I met with a defensive frown.

“I know I’m being silly, but I met my dream guy today. Can’t you just be happy for me?”

Elle sighed, her face slipping to acceptance. “Of course I’m happy for you. I just don’t want you to get hurt. You trust everyone—”

“And you trust no one,” I volleyed.

She looked hurt but rested her hand over mine. “I’m sorry I upset you. Your happiness makes me happy, and I can’t argue with a guy who makes your insides turn into unicorn goop.”

“Thank you,” I said a little curtly, though I was smiling. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I rolled toward the edge of the bed and stood. “Well, I’ve got to start practicing. Juilliard!” I squealed, my happiness bubbling up again.

Elle laughed and waved me off. “Go. You’re going to be great, Annie. I know it.”

“I hope so.”

“I don’t have to hope. I know.”

And her faith fueled my own.



Greg

I rattled up Tenth toward home on my board, the familiar sound of my wheels on the pavement offering me no comfort.

Of all the guys she could have walked in with, it had to be him.