Page 22 of Until You

Payton: So that’s a yes.

Kelsie: PAYTON

Payton: What?? I’m gathering intel!

Addison: I still think we should call them.

Henry: We’ll wait. Three days. They dock on Thursday. We’ll call then.

Addison: Fine. But if anything feels off before then, Oliver calls us immediately.

Me: Understood.

Kelsie: And Oliver?

Me: What?

Kelsie: Don’t be weird about it.

Payton: He’s already being weird about it.

Payton: I can tell.

Me: I’m not being weird.

Henry: You’re being a little weird.

Me: Goodbye.

I set the phone facedown on the couch cushion. From down the hall, I hear the faint sound of a door closing. Water running. She’s probably getting dressed.

Cora.

My mystery girl. My Mischief.

No. She’s not my anything.

She’s in my grandparents’ house. She’s been sleeping in the good guest room with the rain showerhead. She’s been eating breakfast in Mimz’s kitchen and listening to nineties country and learning which floorboard creaks.

She’s been making herself at home in a life I didn’t know she was anywhere near.

And my siblings want me to keep an eye on her.

Keep an eye on the woman I haven’t been able to stop thinking about for three months.

Sure. No problem.