Page 108 of Grasp The Moment

“Are you sure? You don’t look like it’s not a big deal…” Ryan says, his brows furrowed as he looks at me.

I sigh and lean my head on Cleo’s shoulder. “Everything’s fine.”

“Everything is not fine, everything is not okay! Oh my God!” Sienna exclaims, her smile bright as she pushes and pulls Denver's arm, the two girls smiling brightly.

After everyone left our place yesterday evening, I went on a social media manhunt for guys to walk in the show tomorrow. Since all my girls have already been fitted for the show early yesterday morning, there’s no need for me to worry about them at the moment.

The girls and I all decided to have a small breakfast togetherbefore we got the day started, something we haven’t done in a long time, when Denver dropped a bomb on us.

“It’s fine, Si Si. It’s not that big of a deal,” Denver says shyly, ducking her head as her smile brightens.

Cleo waves off Denver, her smile as bright as the sun as she says, “Girl, not everyone gets a job under theirfavoritedirector. Are you kidding right now?”

Denver blushes, covering her face as we coo and tease her. It feels good to celebrate my friends’ accomplishments, and I wish her nothing but the best, but a piece of me can’t help but feel a bit sad, knowing that my own achievements are crumbling beneath my fingers.

I’ve got to find some male models and quickly.

“So where is it? Have you agreed yet?” Sienna asks, taking a sip of her mimosa, grimacing. “This shit is nasty…” she grumbles, passing the drink my way.

I scrunch my nose, sliding the drink away as Denver’s eyes go wide. Her eyes fall to her lap, her fingers twiddling nervously with themselves.

Uh-oh…

“It’s uh… It’s in California, and if I agree, I’ll have to leave the day after graduation.”

Our table goes silent, and it feels like we’ve been dunked under water as Cleo, Sienna, and I share worried looks before all our eyes fall on Denver. We’re silent, trying to process her words, but the shock of them is paralyzing.

Denver’s moving to California.

We won’t ever let her pass up an opportunity like this; that’ll be insane, but she and Ryan just started dating last month. Would they be able to go the distance?

I grimace at the thought of Ryan in this equation. I’d never tell a woman to choose a man over their aspirations, but he’salso one of my oldest friends, and I’m scared for both of their mental health.

This is going to get messy and quick.

Denver gives us a half-smile, and we all go back to eating our food, as tension settles amongst us.

40.Derek

I don’t knowhow I ended up in this situation, but sitting across from Sienna as she rants about dance while Jace makes goo-goo eyes at her has me rethinking all my life’s decisions.

Sienna’s hair is light orange today. She spent about ten minutes explaining that she’s trying to experiment with wigs, which is how yesterday her hair was white, and this afternoon it’s orange.

She sighs, eyeing Jace quickly before rolling her eyes, “Stop staring, psycho… It’s creepy.”

He chuffs, acting as if she’d shot him as he takes a bite from his burger and turns away from the two of us.

I roll my lips in, holding back a laugh at the two of them. Yesterday, I was confused as hell to see all my friends lounging around my place when I got back from the gym. The girls all wore matching pajamas, cuddled up with Agnes, as the guys looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there. I truly believe the only reason the guys stayed was because all their girlfriends threatenedthem.

“Like I was saying, it’s so odd that everything is changing now, and I don’t know if it’s for the worse or not. I mean, my final project is due in a week, and it’ll be my final dance as a college student. I’m a nervous wreck, and it’s only me performing,” she emphasizes, popping a French fry from Jace’s plate into her mouth. “Georgia, on the other hand, must rely on others for her show, and half of her guys pulled out two days before the event. Iknowshe’s stressed, but she wouldn’t show it at breakfast today.” She sighs, her slender brown fingers making grabby hands toward my sweet potato fries. I push my plate forward, allowing her to steal a few as my mind goes haywire.

Georgia’s in trouble? Why didn’t she tell me? My girl is too damn strong for her own good, and that’s something I love about her. She’s independent, and she’s not afraid of doing things herself. I wish she’d place some of her burdens on my shoulders—if not all of them.

When Sienna gets honey mustard on her cheek from the fry missing her mouth, Jace is quick to lean forward and clean it off with a napkin. I watch as my friend fusses over his girlfriend, then my eyes trail down the expanse of his forearm.

Most of the guys on our team are about the same size…

The thought hits me in an instant, and before I know what I’m doing, I pull out my phone and text the team chat.