Page 69 of Finding You

“Believe me. I know.”

“Okay, so other than Ashlynn and Avery, do you think she’s told anyone else about her plans to go?”

“Honestly? I have no idea. If she has, I haven’t been around to hear it.”

That slow, sly grin was back on Will’s face.

“What? What’s that look about?” Devin asked, his curiosity piqued. “What are you thinking?”

“There are things about this town that are a blessing and a curse. And growing up here was a real pain in the ass sometimes because of it.”

“You’ve lost me.”

“Gossips, busybodies, the never-ending parade of people butting into your business! Exactly what I said at the beginning of this conversation!” Will exclaimed, but Devin was still confused. Finally, Will rolled his eyes and slapped Devin upside the head. “You know what? Never mind. Leave it to me.”

“Leave what to you? What are you going to do?”

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with just yet. But when the time comes, you need to follow my lead and not question it,” he said, rubbing his palms together.

“I don’t know, Will. Shouldn’t we just…?”

“What? Let her leave? Let the best thing that’s ever happened to you just drive away?”

“If it’s what she wants…”

“I don’t think it is,” Will said firmly. “You know it. I know it. For whatever reason, she thinks it’s the right thing to do, but she’s miserable about it. Don’t tell me you don’t see it or hear it in her voice.”

He did, but he had no idea how to go about changing her mind. From everything she’d shared with him over the last few weeks, she was used to picking up and moving. It was kind of her thing. How could he possibly expect her to suddenly change?

“You know what, Will? I don’t think…”

Will held up a hand to cut him off. “Do you love her?”

“It’s only been two weeks.”

Shaking his head, Will repeated the question.

“It’s crazy,” Devin said quietly. “It’s not supposed to be like this. This fast.” Then he looked up. “Is it?”

“Sometimes you just know,” Will replied with a helpless shrug. “So? Are you in?”

For a minute, Devin thought his heart just might pound right out of his chest. Was he? Was he really going to let the perfect girl for him simply drive out of his life?

Looking at Will, he held out his hand. “I’m in.”

“Good! Now go fix the Mustang and I’ll see you later at the festival!”

She’d helped set up brochures.

She’d blown up a hundred balloons.

And she’d given her mother her phone number.

It had been a busy morning, but MacKenzie knew she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything if she didn’t at least try to do things where her mother was concerned about the way she felt she needed to. The phone had yet to ring, but she reminded herself that there was a three-hour time difference.

“I think we’re all set!” Ashlynn called out from the other side of the tent. “We only have to be in here from noon till four, and then we can enjoy the rest of the festival.” She smiled at everyone as she walked over to where MacKenzie was standing, staring at her phone.

And immediately pulled the phone from her hands.

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