Page 48 of My Best Friend Prince Charming

“Yes. I was planning to give it to my family to help them out after I go to college, but my mom won’t accept it. She said she got a raise from her boss and insists she’s going to be fine without my help. So I guess I’m going to use it for living expenses so I won’t have to take out any student loans to pay rent. My scholarship only goes so far.”

“That’s incredible.” For a moment, it felt like old times between us, and my heart sped up. I had hope that this day was going to go better than I’d thought. So I took a chance and said what was on my mind. “I don’t want to put distance between us. I hope you know the only reason it seems like I am is out of respect for your wishes.”

“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” She stopped outside the auditorium doors. “Do you want to talk in here for a minute?”

“Sure.” My pulse picked up again. I had no idea what she was going to say. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I followed her inside the auditorium.

A few lights shone on the stage, but the room was empty. We climbed the stairs on the side of the stage and settled at center stage. We sat with our legs stretched out in front of us. I looked out into the empty sea of seats. I hadn’t been in here since my film audition. I’d spent the last four years in various musicals or plays, and now, I had a promising acting career ahead of me. I hadn’t really stopped to think about what that meant for me and my life. I’d been so focused on everyone else the entire time. My family’s needs. Shannon’s needs. Never my own or what I wanted.

Being here on this stage brought back so many good memories. It was my happy place. Then it hit me. I hadn’t given myself permission to feel excited about being in the film. Because the entire time I’d been too worried about what Shannon was thinking and feeling. But the last few weeks of giving her distance had left me with plenty of time to think about what I wanted. I’d spent my time speaking with my agent and focusing on my own preparations for moving to California. And now I realized that a film career really would make me deeply happy. It was what everyone had been telling me all along, but I just now saw it for myself.

“Ryker,” Shannon said, her voice breaking through the peaceful silence that hung over the room. “I’m so sorry for the way I’ve been treating you. Last night Maddie showed me the video of the interview you did when we were in California, and I was getting my hair done. I had no idea the response had changed like that. I’m not sure what it means for us, but I wanted to let you know I reacted badly. I know I hurt you, and I feel terrible.”

“Thank you, Shannon. That means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You said you don’t know what the video and the positive online response means for us. It means that my agent is backing off now. He’d already started backing down when he heard how my interview had gone. But you hadn’t read that part of my texts.” She’d just made an assumption and jumped into the drastic decision to break up with me.

“I realized something else last night.”

“What was that?” I asked.

“It was something my mom pointed out to me. I tend to self-sabotage.”

“What gives you that idea?” Wasn’t that what I’d just realized about myself? I was self-sabotaging by not even wanting to audition at first.

She scooted closer to me, staring up into my eyes with her crystal blue ones. “Because I chose Austin instead of you.”

My breath caught in my throat. She was only inches from me, and she smelled amazing. Like Shannon. Sweet like honey and vanilla. “Which time?”

“Every time.” Now her lips were only centimeters from me.

“Really?” I murmured. But I didn’t get to say anything else because her lips were on mine. Fireworks exploded in my head in a burst of color and joy. My heart swelled, full and happy. I reached over and pulled her closer to me, my fingers getting lost in her incredibly soft hair.

She pulled away, looking deep into my eyes. “I’m so sorry, Ryker. I’m a really stupid person. The past few weeks away from you have been pure torture. I’m in love with you, and I don’t know how I could ever be away from you again.”

“You’re in love with me?”

She nodded, a smile beginning to grow on her face. “I have been all along. But because I was self-sabotaging, I kept choosing Austin. I didn’t think I deserved a good guy like you. But the time we spent together changed me, just like you said. And you’re right. I can never be with a guy who treats me like that. I realize now that I’ve been struggling with the way my dad treated my mom and the fact that he left us and started a new family. I told my mom I’m ready to start my path to healing. I’m starting therapy next week.”

“I’m so proud of you, Shannon.” I kissed her again. “I can’t even express how much I love you.”

“I think you just did. But you can do it some more if you want. I won’t complain.”

“Deal.”

“Do you know what my book was about?” Shannon said.

“What?”

“It was the story of us. A guy and a girl are best friends, and he becomes a famous actor. I changed a few things like their names, of course, and they weren’t as poor as we were, and she doesn’t act as jealous as I did.”

“You weren’t that jealous. You’re too hard on yourself.”

“Okay.” She nudged me, grinning. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Of course, I am. I’m always right.”

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