Page 147 of More For Me

Bodhi

We head back to the campsite so I can pack up my things. Nisha won’t shut up the entire way back, throwing out advice for all the grand gestures I could make to get Everly back. I wasn’t kidding about her ability to nag me—she’s relentless.

But none of her advice matters very much because as soon as we step into the clearing where my tent is, I freeze. Everly is sitting on my sleeping bag by the fire pit, legs crossed in front of her, looking as casual as can be.

“Did you do this?” I ask Nisha. My feet have suddenly turned into lead blocks, preventing me from taking a step closer.

But my sister looks as shocked as I feel. “I had nothing to do with it.”

“How long do you both plan to stand there staring?” Everly calls to us. “Should I grab a snack while I’m waiting?”

Nisha’s grin takes over her face. “Come on,” she says, giving my arm a tug.

I follow behind her, still feeling stunned. I can’t believe she’s here. Why would she come tramping through the woods looking for me after the way I treated her? As we get closer, I see that her face is paler than usual, her eyes red-rimmed, and my stomach knots in guilt.

She’s still fucking gorgeous, though. Everly Ransome sitting amongst the pine trees, the setting sun glinting off her dark hair, is something that has to be seen to be believed.

Nisha releases my arm as Everly stands, going over to her and giving her a big hug. Everly says something in her ear and Nisha pulls back, a bewildered smile on her face. “Someone will explain when you get there,” I hear Everly murmur. Nisha studies her for a minute then nods. She shoots me one last stern don’t-you-dare-mess-this-up glare, and leaves.

“How did you find me?” I blurt out, because it’s the first thing my stunned brain can latch onto.

Everly looks around at the site. “This is the same place we camped, isn’t it?”

“I didn’t think you were paying enough attention on the way in to remember it. You seemed very distracted by the mosquitos.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m capable of multi-tasking.”

Even knowing that she’s probably here to kick my ass, I can’t help but smile. “You are. Because you’re amazing.”

She stands as I approach and we stare at each other for a few moments. Then we both speak at the same time.

“Everly, I’m so sorry.”

“We’re not broken up.”

I blink at her. “What?”

She crosses her arms, looking about as fierce as I’ve ever seen her. “We. Are. Not. Breaking. Up. I don’t know what the hell is going on with you, but I’m telling you right now—it’s going to take a lot more than one pissy mood for you to scare me off.”

I stand there like an idiot, gaping at her. “You’re not mad at me?”

She throws up her arms, expression thunderous. “Of course I’m mad at you! You made mecry, Bodhi. In a Valentino dress. A girl should never have to cry when she’s wearing a Valentino dress.”

Now I really want to throw up. “God, I’m such an asshole.”

She ignores me. “But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part is that you didn’t come home.” Her face crumples a little, some of the anger leaving her. “Youscaredme.”

I cross the few feet between us without thinking and pull her into my arms. I can handle her being angry at me—God knows I deserve it—but seeing her sad is too much.

“You didn’t even text me back,” she says against my chest, her voice small. That hurts even worse than her sad expression.

“That was so shitty,” I agree, squeezing her tighter. “I’m sorry.”

She pushes on my chest and I’m almost relieved to see the anger back on her face. “If you ever disappear like that again, I’m going to kick your ass.”

“Fair enough.”

She studies my face, her own expression softening. “Will you please tell me what’s going on?”