Page 67 of Everything Has Changed
“Nothing I can’t handle. I really had an update on the festival, by the way.” I twirl my finger between us. “That wasn’t just a ploy to get you alone.”
She chuckles, “We can talk about it later. Go before Camila barges in here. I think I can hear her pacing outside the door.”
Gwen wasn’t wrong about the pacing, only it was outside on the sidewalk with a scowl and her phone attached to her ear. When she catches me exiting, Camila hisses into the phone and angry taps the end call button.
“About fucking time. I had Piper remake your dad’s drink. There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to show up to the office with a lukewarm coffee because you had to have a discussion with Gwendolyn right this second.” Without a word, she starts walking down the street. Her heels clack against the concrete, emphasising her words with each step. “Couldn’t you just email her? God, I still cannot believe your mother is forcing you to keep up this charade of planning the festival. She should know you have more important things to handle right now.”
I move my sunglasses from my pocket, sliding them over my eyes to cover the rolling they are currently doing. My subpar day filled with my father’s colleagues and their plans for what they deem to be a proper future full of an unnecessary amount of zeros in bank accounts had taken a positive turn since getting some time with Gwen. I wasn’t going to let Camila ruin that. No, I’d save that inevitability for my father. But for now, I would hold on to it.
“It’s good for me to get out into the community. We all know this,” I sigh and take a sip from the paper cup. The taste only reminded me of how delicious it was to lick off of Gwen’s lips.
I feel the blood rush to my dick, which had finally started to cool off again.
“This town loves you and will be grateful when you follow in your dad’s footsteps. They might not like it now, but they will appreciate the changes later on.”
“Yeah? Is that before or after they lose the businesses they worked their lives for?”
She scoffs. “You need to get over that. Sure, maybe a couple of places won’t make it, but this place is going to boom with tourists. Think about our future.”
“While we are getting over things, why don’t you get over us? There is noourfuture.”
“I said I was sorry.”
I shake my head and pick up my pace. Her heels click louder as she rushes to catch up with me. Before I hit the steps for Town Hall, she grabs my arm and tugs me to a stop. I glare down to where her hand rests on my forearm until she takes the hint and removes it.
“Why won’t you talk to me?”
“We have nothing to talk about, Camila. We are nothing.”
She rolls her eyes at my words. “We are everything and you know it, babe. We are destined to be together.”
“Says who? Our fathers? God, Camila, you need to open your eyes and realize this is ridiculous. This isn’t the middle ages, we aren’t in an arranged marriage.”
Her lower lip juts out in a pout. “You love me.”
“No, I don’t.” I lower my voice, stepping forward when a couple walks by to keep our conversation private. “You deserve to be loved, I promise. But I also promise that person is not me.”
Camila’s natural tan darkens along her cheeks. She turns her head slightly, looking toward the mountains off in the distance. The autumn colors are in full bloom now, but I know she’s not taking in the scenery when I hear a small sniffle she releases. I approach with cautionin my next words, knowing she needs to hear them but unsure how they will be received.
“Don’t you want more from life? What happened to the girl who wanted to go to med school and help people?”
Her head turns sharply back to me. “She grew up and realized silly little girl dreams weren’t going to get her anywhere. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get this to your dad.” Without another word, she stomps up the steps.
I watch her go. Sadness fills my chest at how much she’s changed since we were two kids thrust together and clinging to each other, wishing for the love a father should give.
24
Logan
“It’s about damn time.”
My father’s voice booms as I enter his office, with only a brief glance in my direction before he turns back to the files on his desk.
“Sit. You’ve wasted enough of my time. Camila already told me you had to discuss festival bullshit with that Prescott girl. Another waste of time.”
I clench my jaw at the venom in his voice and the way he dismisses Gwen. Not in the mood to fight with him today, I do as he demands and place myself in the seat across from him.
“What is it today? Stealing candy from babies or laughing at the elderly down at the old folks’ home? Both seem plausible when it comes to you.”
