Page 109 of Everything Has Changed
Gwen giggles. “I forgot to tell you, Kenny. You have a new fan.” She nudges my shoulder to emphasize her accusation.
Kennedy pops an eyebrow up at me. “You read my books, Spencer? Why?”
I shrug, grinning at the Prescott who has stolen my heart. “Just taking notes.”
“Smart man,” Kennedy muses. “I approve, Gwenny.”
Gwen ducks her head, and the blush I love so much appears. “Anyway, we came over to remind you boys that you need to be at the gazebo stage in thirty minutes.”
Matt finally acknowledges them, though his eyes never land on Kennedy, staying on Gwen and me as he speaks. “Do I have to do this?”
“Yup,” she pops the p. “You are going to bring in some big money and blow this whole thing out of the water for me. I need to prove to the future mayor that I am worthy enough to plan the event again next year.” She winks at me, and I can’t stop myself from reaching out to caress her hip. I give it a squeeze and then pat her ass for good measure because I can’t help it before pulling back reluctantly.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Kennedy murmurs under her breath.
“What about Logan?” Matt continues. “He can bring in big money, too.”
Gwen clasps her hands in front of her in prayer and looks up to the sky. “Please don’t let that be true. I don’t have a ton of money to get into a bidding war with, and I’d hate to have to fight someone tonight.” The table laughs, and she looks around at all of us. “I’m not joking.”
I know she’s not,and that’s what makes what I’m about to say even harder.
“As much as I would love for you to win me tonight, baby, do you think that’s the best idea tonight? I don’t want to draw any unwanted attention to you.” For more reasons than she knows.
The pain I feel slicing through my chest at her crestfallen expression has me wanting to take back every word I just said and say, “Fuck the consequences.”
“Oh,” her eyes turn down. “Is it really that serious though? It’s not like it should be that shocking to anyone that we have grown closer.” She nibbles on her lower lip, and I want to reach up and pull it away like I’m supposed to. But I don’t.
“You know what,” her hands raise up in surrender. “You’re right. I have to stay focused anyway, making sure it all goes smoothly. Can’t exactly get sidetracked with getting in on the action.” Her laugh is forced. “Actually, I need to go make sure your mother has the updated list for the event. I’ll see y’all later.”
I jump from my chair, reaching out to grab Gwen’s hand to stop her from fleeing, but Kennedy steps in front of me. Her eyes harden on me.
“What the fuck was that about?” I expect it from Kennedy, but the words come from behind her. Matt rises from his chair and comes closer. His face is full of confusion.
“It’s just not a good idea right now to have eyes on her and me.” I implore him to understand with my eyes, and I see the moment it dawns on him that I didn’t tell him the whole story.
“Fuck, Logan. What have you gotten yourself into?”
Kennedy furrows her brows, looking between us. “What are you two talking about, and what does it have to do with you hurting my sister?”
“I would never hurt Gwen. Please understand that.”
Her eyes go wide, and she throws her arm in the direction Gwen fled. “What the hell was that then?”
“Me stupidly trying to keep her safe,” I sigh.
“She can keep herself safe, Spencer. She’s a strong woman.”
I nod my head because I know. I know she’s the greatest woman I have ever met, and I already fucked this all up.
I run my hands over my face in exasperation. “Fuck, I need to fix this. I should have just let her bid on me.” Hell, I begged her to agree to it the last few weeks. To hell with everyone else. But the fear looming over me of whatever my father could do to her or her family is a heavy, dark cloud.
“You’re right,” Kennedy says. “So what are you going to do about it?”
I stare at Gwen’s sister for a moment, seeing the matching fire that comes with the Prescott name lit up in her eyes. “You’re not bidding on anyone, are you?”
Her eyes, slightly darker green than her sister’s, flicker over her shoulder. She sniffs as she looks back at me. “Nope.”
“Good. I might have a plan.”
