Page 29 of In Every Chapter

That was a future Paisley’s job. Because his thoughtfulness was about ready to make me cry. “I can’t take it. It’s too much.” I shoved it at him. “I can’t pay you back.”

Greyson tucked the phone back in my hand and gently curled my fingers around it. “Pais, it’s not too much. It’s a gift, okay? Not a transaction.” Bending down to my eye level, he added, “I promised to take care of you. This is me doing that.”

A single tear dripped off my nose, and my hand holding the phone dropped limply into my lap without protest. What did a girl say to that?

Then he pulled out the big guns and held out his pinky to me.

“Pinky swears are sacred,” I whispered, staring.

“I know,” he said with a steadiness that made me want to jump into his arms like a koala seeing a eucalyptus tree. Theoretically.

And I hooked my pinky in his.

“Call me if you need me, okay?” he said, shoving both hands in his pockets, like he was trying to keep them under control after locking pinkies.

So scandalous.

“Go take a bubble bath,” Juliet grumbled. “And move before I run you over on purpose.”

I snorted. This was the Juliet I remembered. “Thanks,” I whispered.

Greyson nodded, stepping out of range of her tires. His gaze never left the car as he watched us back out of the driveway, offering a wave.

“You sure Myles won’t mind us crashing the party?” I asked after several moments of silence.

“He’s still in Charlotte.”

Right. She had told me that. The Chargers were playing game six in the Calder Cup playoffs tonight. I was forgetting a lot of short-term memory items lately. But it was good to get out of the house, especially since Liz and Stephanie were returning to Spokane tomorrow. After having them around the last few days, it felt like when we were back in college and rooming with each other.

I’d roomed with all of them at some point up until Jared and I moved into an apartment for couples. Having my girls around was a boon to my soul. But I didn’t miss the haunted look in Stephanie’s eyes and the way Liz kept scanning me, like I would break apart at any minute. Maybe it was because I couldn’t remember the accident, but I’d scared them.

We thought this might turn into a goodbye.

Which made me extra grateful we’d been able to pivot our plans into girls’ night before they had to leave. There was nothing a steady diet of tea and cake while binging both Princess Diaries movies couldn’t fix.

Three minutes later, we were tromping up the stairs to a secluded loft apartment above the Bean There, Done That Café on the south side of downtown—all two streets of it.

“Why an apartment?” I asked.

Juliet opened the door, my suitcase in hand. “We’re on the road so much it’s simpler maintenance.” She shrugged. “One day we’ll upgrade after . . .” She trailed off and ducked her head, hurrying through the door.

“After?” I prodded, following her inside.

“Forget it.” She waved a hand. “Steph, Liz, we’re here.”

I stared at the open-concept apartment, jaw slack. It was a study in contrasts and overwhelmingly pink. Something I expected from Liz, not Juliet. But it wasn’t gaudy; it was tasteful. Lots of black and white with stainless appliances in a bare minimalist chic. Not too bare but not too cluttered either. But the accent colour? Pink everywhere. From the throw pillows and blankets, a stand mixer, living room rug, wall décor, kettle, and toaster.

“Pink?” I asked, blinking rapidly. Maybe that knock to the head had altered my colour perception. That was more likely than Juliet ever willingly decorating in, and I quote, “The most hideous colour known to mankind.” Circa the era 2017.

“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Liz squealed, setting a beautifully iced cake on the kitchen island. “I can’t believe Myles is chill with it. Ben acquiesced to pink in the bathroom, not the whole house.”

Stephanie scoffed as she chopped several cheese cubes for the charcuterie board she was assembling. “That man would give you anything you wanted, Liz. You’re the one who decided the bathroom was torture enough.”

Liz sighed dreamily, green eyes shining. “True. I married a good one.”

“Jules, since when do you like pink?” I asked, turning in a circle to take it all in.

“About three weeks after she and Myles rushed into their wedding,” Liz offered, winking. “You know what they say, a woman is with a good man when he’s safe enough for her to like girlie things again.”