Page 18 of Austen, Edited

Chapter 9

“He helped you move in. That’s got to mean something,” Tiffany stated, sitting on her pink checked bedspread.

Abby pulled open one of the boxes, setting out the little trinkets on her desk. “I doubt it means anything. He’s just a guy who will probably be dating Hannah again in a week, two weeks max. And let’s be honest, what do I have to offer the son of a billionaire? I mean, if I lived a hundred years ago, I would probably be a servant in his family’s home, not hoping for a chance to date him.”

Tiffany shifted, lying on her stomach with her arms around a scrunched pillow. “But have you actually given him that chance? It seems like every time he’s tried to invite you to something or talk to you, you’ve been distant.” She moved her hands out and held them in front of her as Abby opened her mouth to refute it. “I know. Before you jump all over me, I remember every little detail you’ve told me about him. But maybe without Miss Prickly Pants around, he might just be the same old Greyson you grew up with.”

Abby sank onto the mattress of her unmade bed. “I thought you were against Team Greyson.” Tiffany’s shift in mood toward him had caused Abby’s brain to go speeding through every encounter she’d had with Greyson since he’d shown up.

“I was, but the guy is trying. You’ll have to give him some credit for that.” Tiffany raised an eyebrow and folded her arms, the sign that she was serious.

“But can I get over the chance that Hannah could come back into his life? I mean, you remember when he left the first time. I don’t want to relive that.”

Tiffany twisted her lips to the side, her eyes taking on that puppy-dog quality of sympathy. “I think if you really care about him, you’ll give him a chance. It won’t be perfect from the beginning, but it might help you.”

“In what way?” Irritation flowed through Abby’s chest as she tried to understand what her roommate meant.

“Well, if he’s really single, you can tell him how you feel, whatever that is.” Her smile lessened as she continued, “Or you’ll be able to get over him and move on.”

Throwing herself back on the bed, Abby hit her head against the wall, causing a strange sensation to vibrate down her spine. “Ow!” she said, grabbing the top of her head. A few seconds passed, and the pain eased, allowing her to take a deep breath. She lowered her head, hoping it would make her determined expression convince Tiffany of her next words.

“I’ve been over him for at least a year.”

“That’s not what I see when you two are together. But I don’t think he’s immune to you either. Maybe you need to just have a makeout session to help you get there.” Tiffany laughed and curled up in a ball, holding her hands out as she awaited the stuffed bear Abby threw at her.

Abby shook her head. “Yeah, that’s the last thing I need to do right now. Because if I kiss him, there’s no going back. Ever.” She’d imagined kissing Greyson hundreds of times, but lately, those daydreams were clouded by Hannah interrupting them and taking him away.

“Well, then talk to the guy. It will be better than worrying about something that might not even happen, like his ex-girlfriend making an appearance.” She stood and walked to the door. “I need water. Do you want me to bring you back one?”

“No, I’m good.” Abby stood, pulling things out of the cardboard boxes she’d saved from the kitchen over the past month. She wasn’t quite ready to jump back into a regular friendship with Greyson yet, let alone a romantic relationship. The chances of getting hurt were too high. The best thing she could do was work with him on the app and focus on school and what she would do in the future. Because those were things she could actually control. Greyson wasn’t.

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