Page 175 of Promising You
“Yes. Will you be around?”
“I’m a prisoner here. I’ll be around all day. I’m spending tomorrow night in the dorm so that I’ll be there when you get back on Saturday. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“I may need a few hours sleep before we start catching up.”
“I don’t care what we do. I just need to see you. A week apart is way too long. Don’t make me do this again.”
“Me? This is your fault! Or Ava’s!”
“I’m just kidding. Oh, I almost forgot. I got that place reserved for the summer. It’s all ours. And Harper and Sean got the one right next to it.”
A couple days ago, Garret and I picked out a beachfront condo to rent in a town a couple hours north of LA. It’s a condo that Harper found and once we checked it out online, Garret and I liked it, too. It’s a furnished condo and we even liked how it was decorated, clean and simple with comfy-looking furniture.
“Are you serious?” I’m so excited I want to jump up and down but I can’t or I’ll hurt my knee again. “So this is really going to happen?”
“Well, yeah. Did you think it wouldn’t?”
“Kind of. You know me. I never trust that things will work out.”
“Stop thinking that way. I’ve told you that a hundred times. I’m good luck. Stick with me and things will always work out.” I can feel his famous cocky smile through the phone. “The guy who owns the place even gave us a deal because we’re staying all summer.”
“This is so great! I have to call Harper.”
“I talked to Sean earlier and he said they’d be out all night with her sisters, so you might want to wait.”
“I’ll just text her. So tell me again. Are we really living on the beach in California all summer? With Harper and Sean right next door?”
“Yes, Jade. And you’re freaking adorable when you get this excited. Even over the phone. Damn, I love you.”
“I love you, too. I need to go spend some more time with Frank before I go to bed but I’ll call you tomorrow. And hey, don’t get used to sleeping alone because when I get back we’re having sleepovers every night for at least a week.”
“A week? Try the rest of the semester.” I smile because that’s really what I want, too. “Have a safe trip and make sure to call me from the road.”
“I will. Bye, Garret.” I hang up and go back to the living room where Frank and Ryan are watching the news. “Guess what? Garret reserved that place on the beach so we’re definitely going there this summer. Isn’t that great?”
“Yeah, great.” Ryan pretends to be annoyed but I know he’s happy for me. “And I’ll be stuck here in summer classes. Can I at least come visit?”
“Of course you can visit. That’s a great idea. Bring Chloe if you want. You should come, too, Frank.”
“I think my traveling days are over. But you should go, Ryan.”
Ryan yawns as he gets up. “I’m really tired. I’m going to bed. I want to leave on time tomorrow, Jade, so set your alarm clock.”
“I should probably go to sleep, too,” Frank says. “I’ll see you in the morning, Jade.”
I wasn’t expecting them to go to bed at 11. I thought since this was my last night here we’d all stay up late.
I go to my room but I’m not ready to sleep. I’m too excited about my summer. A whole three months living with Garret on the beach with my best friend right next door. It’s like a movie, but it’s actually my life. How did this happen? A year ago I was here in this house thinking I’d go to college, get a boring job, and live alone in an apartment the rest of my life. Now everything’s changed in ways I never could’ve imagined.
Since I can’t sleep, I make a pros and cons lists to fill the time. I’ve never been much of a list person, but now that I have decisions to make I find it a useful exercise. First I make one for being a doctor. The result? Almost all pros. Then I make one for meeting Arlin and his wife for lunch. There are quite a few cons, but the pros still win out. Lastly, I make a list for marrying Garret, just in case he asks me someday. The list is all pros except for one con. His family. But that only applies to Katherine so I scratch out family and put Katherine’s name down. There’s no way I’d let Katherine be a reason for not marrying Garret.
So as of tonight, it looks like I’ll be going to med school, having lunch with my grandparents, and marrying Garret. Yeah, things have definitely changed the past year.
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
Friday morningI get up at 7 and find Ryan in the kitchen making breakfast. He’s already showered, dressed, and ready to go. He’s a morning person, which I don’t understand. I barely function before 8 and that’s even after having a large dose of caffeine.
“You got donuts?” I grab one from the box and take a seat at the kitchen table with my mug of coffee.
