Page 49 of Until the End

“I wondered if you were going to pull your head out of your ass,” Daren teases.

I chuckle as I toss my bag into the back seat. “Oh, shut up. I got here in the end.”

“And we’re all going to be glad for it. Miss Ginny hasn’t stopped moping around the hotel since we arrived.”

“Way to make me feel like even more of an ass,” I say when we’re both settled in the car.

“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. I just hate when she’s sad.”

“You and me both.”

“Settle in. The drive will take a couple of hours.”

“Jesus.” I shift in my seat to get comfortable. I sure as fuck am not in Kansas anymore.

Chapter 29

Ginny

Imove through another round of sun salutations as the video on my phone guides me through the class. My thoughts have been all over the place since I flew out here yesterday. Yoga has been the only thing to keep me somewhat sane.

Leaving Sonoma was much harder than I expected it to be. It wasn’t just saying goodbye to Carson. It was not knowing when I would be back that killed me. I hated leaving my friends, and being separated from Carson will be one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. It just cements in my mind that I want Sonoma to be my home base instead of LA.

I loved living here. There are many things I’ll miss about the city, but being home these past several weeks has reminded me where my heart lies.

In the meantime, I can’t say I hate the hotel suite Chelsea picked out. It’s more like a tiny apartment than a hotel room. The bedroom is separate from the living space, and there’s a kitchenette by the door. Since I can’t cook to save my life, it’s perfect. I have a microwave, fridge, and sink, and thebathroom has a deep tub that’s perfect for soaking in. Chelsea deserves free coffee for life for finding this place.

I’m supposed to meet with Mariana this afternoon to sign paperwork. We’re going to go over my contracts with Muse, as well as other opportunities she wants me to explore. I’m not sure I’m ready to take on anything else at the moment, but she wants me to know my options.

A call comes through, interrupting my yoga video. I sit on my mat, my legs crossed underneath me. “Hey, Daren.”

“Hey, Miss Ginny. I’ve got a surprise for you. Mind if I come up?”

“Of course not. What kind of surprise?”

Humor laces his voice. “You’ll see.”

With those cryptic words, he ends the call. A few minutes later, there’s a knock on my door. A quick peek through the peephole shows Daren’s large frame filling the entire doorway.

I open the door and gasp when Daren steps to the side. “Carson.”

“Hey, Goose.” Before he can finish his greeting, I’m in his arms.

“God, I’ve missed you so much,” I murmur into his neck.

“I’ve missed you, too.” He carries me across the threshold, my arms still tight around his neck while his are around my waist. “Thanks, Daren!” Carson calls over his shoulder as the door shuts on Daren’s laughter.

Carson sets me down but keeps his arms around my waist. I cup his cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re here. How long can you stay?”

“I’m here as long as you are.”

“What?”

Carson grins down at me. “I told Uncle Levi I wanted to come out here, and he practically shoved me out the door and said, ‘Don’t come back without our girl.’”

I drop my head back with an elated laugh. “I can’t believe you flew all the way here. This is amazing.”

“I couldn’t do it, Goose. I couldn’t stay home, knowing you were by yourself. It took Noah metaphorically smacking me over the head, but I realized I needed to be by your side more than I needed anything else.”

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