Page 109 of This Side of Beautiful

Probably.

But I had a feeling Janae would murder me in my sleep if I left without playing along.

The sound of running water filled the apartment.

I blinked, momentarily surprised.

She was actually going.

A few minutes later, the door swung open.

Janae wore leggings and a fitted hoodie, sleek and effortless, the kind of look that let her move through the world unnoticed when she wanted to. Her damp curls peeked out from under the cap she slid on as she yanked open the closet, pulling out sneakers.

“It’s a twenty-three-hour drive, and I’m not touching the wheel.” She still wouldn’t look at me as she grabbed her purse. “And I’m going on the most expensive shopping spree in Austin that your wallet can afford.”

I arched a brow. “Anything else?”

“Yeah. Don’t say one word to me until we get to my house.”

Why did this womanvex me so?

We weren’t good for each other. Or maybe we were perfect.

I’d spent all night convincing myself to leave. Now, we were about to spend almost an entire day together, locked in a car with nothing but silence and miles of open road.

My head spun from the emotional whiplash. My body ached from exhaustion and nerves. My heart?

My heart was damn near soaring.

Janae must have caught my expression because she scowled. “Get that smile off your face. You don’t get to be happy after ruining my morning with your bullshit.” She stormed past me toward the stairs.

I bit my lip, fighting the grin I hadn’t even realized I was wearing. Grabbing my bags, I followed her downstairs to the garage where she kept her pewter G-Wagon.

As soon as we pulled out, the paparazzi surged forward. Janae flashed them a dazzling smile, waving like nothing in the world was wrong. I followed her lead, raising my hand in a half-wave, my own grin practiced but effortless.

And just like that, we hit the road.

Our real journey had begun.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

janae

Austin

June 17

“Turn this corner and goup the hill. My house is on the end,” I directed Landon. The beautiful hills and winding roads trickled calmness over my still-angry heart. We’d been in this car together for a little over twenty-seven hours, with traffic, restroom, food, and gas stops. We’d driven without a night in a hotel.

“I finally get to hear your voice again.” He smiled.

I poked his cheek. “Bet you didn’t like the quiet this time.”

“I didn’t. I’ve grown accustomed to your noises and your mouth.” He squinted. “Is that your house?”

I nodded, suddenly self-conscious. Landon came from money, and my ranch-style home was nestled in the woods of Austin. I was proud of this house that a poor Black girl from the Third Ward had chosen on her own. No one had seen it but me and the management team, who’d kept it up in my absence.

“This is nice,” he said as he pulled into the driveway. “Can’t wait to see inside.”

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