Page 134 of The Hallows Queen

“I mean it,” I say, growing annoyed that she’s even questioning it. “I’m not some pill-addicted kid anymore, and I want her to be my fucking future.”

“So prove it to her,” Logan answers, and I feel a boulder settle in my gut.

“How?” I groan in the back of my throat. “I’m not fucking romantic. I’ve never had to do this shit before, Lo. Tell me what to do.”

She’s silent for a moment, and I start to think I’ve dropped the call, so I look at my screen to check. When I see the call is still active, I press the phone back to my ear to wait.

After a minute, she speaks.

“I don’t know anything about her – butyou do.You need a gesture. Show her you’re serious. Unpack, get comfortable, and stay in North Carolina. Nothing is going to be solved if you’re across the country.”

“I have to work,” I say, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

“You can work from Luxington, and what you can’t do, Levi can do. This gives him the opportunity to step up as well – win-fucking-win.”

I nod mindlessly. “Then what?”

“Then remind her that she fucking loves you.”

* * *

I setup a makeshift office at the dining room table of my hotel room, then sit down and get some work done. Everything at the office has been organized so I can stay in Luxington for the next two weeks, and Levi insisted he would be okay. At least Serena is there to babysit him; she understands my day-to-day operations better than anyone. Ifanyonecan run my company, it’s Serena Rowan. I put her through enough shit, she could probably take my seat if she needed to.

Pulling out my phone, I send a text to Penelope.

Me:

Dinner tomorrow?

She responds almost immediately.

Penelope:

No.

Me:

How about lunch?

Penelope:

No.

I growl in my throat and type out another message.

Me:

I’m not going anywhere, P.

Penelope:

What does that mean?

Me:

Get used to seeing me in Luxington.

I lock the screen for my phone and drop it onto the table, ignoring it when it buzzes again, wanting to leave her guessing a bit. There’s a mixture of excitement and nerves in my stomach, making me feel uneasy. Half of me wants to storm out, find her and force my way back into her life, but I know I need aslower burnright now. I’m not a teenager anymore, and she isn’t some carefree woman looking to get lost in someone. She’s the broken one this time, and she’s battling her own demons.