Page 64 of Don't Think

“Everything’s going to be okay, Allie,” she says softly. “One way or another.”

We sit like that for God knows how long. Long enough that I start to wonder where the hell Nora is until we finally hear her running up to us.

“Guys! They let me hold it!” she gushes, clutching her chest.

She pulls out her phone and spins it around to show us a picture of her cradling a sloth like a newborn baby.

“Aww,” Ana drawls, leaning in for a closer look. “He looks just like you!”

Nora’s mouth drops open, and my head falls back in laughter. By the time I’m done, my ribs ache, and they’re both looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

I truly feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have friends like mine.

There’s so much good in my life that it easily outweighs every bit of the bad, making it all worth it. My daughters, my friendships, my career—all of it.

I’d never tell her this, but Ana is right about me needing to grow up.

Maybe I made a bit of a fool of myself last night, but at least the cat’s out of the bag now, and I don’t have to worry about accidentally letting it out that I like Jaxon Owens—a little more than I probably should.

And maybe that’s something I should take a chance on.

Maybe it’s not.

And maybe, just maybe, it’ll figure itself out on its own by the time this vacation ends in three weeks.

Chapter Nineteen

Jax

“Ready to stop staring at that thing yet?” Gareth nods at the phone resting on the counter.

He takes a slow pull from his beer, eyes pinned on me skeptically.

I mean, I can’t really blame him. Ihavebeen glued to my screen for the last forty-five minutes waiting for Allie to text back. At this point, I’m starting to think she’s not going to, and I’m just sitting here looking like an idiot.

James drops onto the stool next to me, a beer in each hand. “Here,” he says, offering me one. “You look like you could use it.”

I shake my head and wave him off. “I’m good, man.”

“Suit yourself,” he says with a shrug, already sliding off the seat.

My eyes drift right back to the phone.Stillnothing. Honestly, I’m starting to wonder if it’s even her or just my phone actingup. I didn’t evenownone back in Cardiff. The guys forced me to get one when we came to America. Although it’s not like I’ve had much use for it since I don’t eventalkto anyone outside this room.

It wasn’t until now that I wanted to use the damn thing and the cell towers are refusing. That or she doesn’t want to give me mixed signals about last night. That’s also a very strong possibility.

Gareth suddenly waves a hand in front of my face. “Mate, what’s up? I’ve never seen you on that thing longer than three minutes, never mind an hour.”

“He’s waiting onAllieto text him,” James teases, and I shoot him a glare.

He holds his hands up in surrender and walks backward toward Casey.

“What are you, twelve?” Casey says, balling up a napkin and tossing it at James’s face.

Then, my phone finally buzzes.

My throat tightens like it’s caught in a vice as my hand flies out, snatching it off the worktop before anyone can see.

Allison