Page 83 of Say You Will

This place is now even better fortified than my parents’ homes and my own.

The air is comfortably crisp this morning, but not cold. Bright morning sun slices through the remaining low-lying fog, making the dew sparkle on grass and fallen leaves. The air is redolent with the scent of autumn in Pennsylvania and reminds me of the pumpkin patch and our kiss in Grandma’s kitchen. Gravel crunches beneath my heels.

“Henry!” Franki calls my name.

I stop, adjust my glasses, and shove my hands in my pockets.Flick, flick, flick.

When I’ve managed to wipe the scowl from my face, I turn. “Hello, Fran—”

“You can take your ‘hello Franki’ and shove it up your asinine ego.”

Her expression has the air seizing in my chest.

“You didn’t have to pretend I meant something special to you to convince me to sleep with you. I’d already decided to do it. You’re the one who made me think it was more than a one-night stand. You didn’t have to play these stupid, cruel games.”

She laughs bitterly. “Was this your revenge because I said no to your proposal? Your ego is really that fragile?”

I stare at her for way too long before I manage to say, “You said you’d always be my friend.”

She glares. “I’m sorry. Should I have clarified ‘as long as you don’t treat me like straight-up trash’?”

“You left me a note.” Yeah, I sound accusatory and pissed, but, “What the fuck, Franki?”

“What does that have to do with you lying about me being ‘your person’ then freaking ghosting me the next morning in front of everyone?”

The import of her words soaks in, and a jolt of realization lights me up. I glance around. We’re on the path that winds into the woods, but given the security protocols here, we’re in full view of two different guards and on camera.

I wrap my hand around hers. “Come with me.”

She trips along behind me for a few steps before planting her heels and yanking against my grip. “We’ll talk here.”

“You want to make up in front of an audience?”

“What audien— Oh, crap.”

It’s not just security guards and cameras now. Up the rolling hill, Gabriel, Mom, and Janessa are gathered at the end of the porch and virtually hanging over the railing watching us.

“This”—I indicate the two of us—“is a misunderstanding. I need privacy to beg your forgiveness.” I swoop in front of her and haul her over my shoulder.

“What are you doing?” She kicks her legs.

I pat her ass gently as I stride in the direction of the driveway. “I’m taking you somewhere quiet to woo you.”

“Woo me?Who says that?” She squirms, and I tighten my grip so she doesn’t fall.

“I do.”

“Put me down.”

“In a minute, darling.” I take a bracing breath of fresh, autumn air. “It’s a beautiful morning, you should relax and enjoy the view.”

My ass cheek twinges. “What iswithyou and the pinching?”

“Your assismy view. I was enjoying it. You’re the one who said to fight dirty.”

“If you want to fight dirty, use your elbow and go for a solid strike to the kidney. I only have the one, so I’m extra attached to it. Another option: my sidearm is within easy reach for you. Steal it and shoot me. Or hold on tightly to the waistband of my pants, then buck your body up and toward the ground headfirst. When I adjust my hold for even a second, vault yourself forward and use your grip on my waistband to assist your flip so you land feet first.”

She goes quiet and still for a moment, then says, “I think that last one would take practice. I could take a bobby pin out of my hair and stab you somewhere extra-sensitive.”

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