“Oh yeah.” The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them, but I’m just so excited. A location scout for Lovemark? A dream job just fell right in my lap; what’s a little lie going to do?

Technically, I am on good terms with everyone. Yes, my ex-boyfriend and I might have had a fight in the middle of the street the other night, but it’s not like I’m going to have to work with Rogan on this. No, everything will be just fine.

“Perfect. Well, the job is yours if you want it. Since we’re directing and producing the film, we have to fly back to LA and spend a week there getting everything set, but if you’re on board, we would love to send you the script so you can get to work on finding some scene locations and give us some options. Does that work?”

“I mean . . . hell yeah.” I laugh, still in shock. “You know I know nothing about film or anything like that.”

“But you know the heart of the town, and that’s what we’re looking for. That’s what makes our movies so dynamic and addicting,” Sally says. “It’s the heart.”

Isn’t that the truth? The number of times I’ve shamelessly swooned over a Lovemark movie is absurd.

“Unfortunately, once we get back, we will need you on board full time. Will the restaurant be okay with that?”

“I think so.” I wink. Eve can help me get out of my waitressing duties.

They all laugh and stand. I stand as well and exchange information and handshakes. In minutes they’re walking out the door, leaving me with a giant smile on my face and the tiniest glimmer of hope. This might be the break I was looking for.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ROGAN

Senior Year, High School

“Hey, Claire,” I say, walking into the kitchen to grab a drink. Sweaty and exhausted from practice, I snag a Gatorade and take a seat at the dining room table across from her and Griffin. “What are you guys up to?”

“Thinking about a movie. Claire got all her schoolwork done for the night. Thought we’d relax.”

“Oh yeah?” I uncap the bottle. “How’s nursing school? Still gross?”

“It’s not gross,” Claire scoffs. “Just, you know, not for the faint of heart.”

Hand clasped around my bottle, I point at my brother. “That would be Griffin.”

“No it’s not, dipshit. I’m training to be a volunteer fireman. Kind of need to be able to handle gruesome stuff. You’re thinking of Reid.”

“Yup.” I nod. “I was thinking of Reid. He was the one who fainted in PE when a girl got knocked in the mouth with a soccer ball and lost a tooth.” I take a large gulp of the lemon-lime sports drink. “You know, he’s giving the Knightlys a bit of a bad reputation, fainting and throwing up his cookies after running a mile.”

“In his defense, he ran it in five minutes,” Griffin points out.

“Still, hold it in, man, and puke in a bush when no one is looking, not on the track.”

“Are you talking about me?” Reid asks, strolling into the kitchen, shirtless and looking like he just got out of bed. He reaches into the fridge, snags a Coke, and then walks back out, not even waiting for an answer.

With a scrunched nose, Claire turns to Griffin. “No offense, but he is by far the weirdest brother you have. First of all, does he not own any shirts? And secondly, if he didn’t pop in the kitchen every once in a while, I would swear he never left his bedroom.”

Griffin and I exchange smiles. “He’s fifteen, babe. There are things he’s more interested in than sitting around a table and talking with us.”

Realization hits her as she starts to giggle. “Oh, Reid.”

“Happens to the best of us,” I say, taking a large gulp again and sympathizing. After all, my hand is my only source of pleasure too . . . well, that and Harper’s mouth.

“Still haven’t had sex with Harper?” Griffin asks while Claire swats him in the stomach.

“That’s none of our business. Plus, they’re still seniors; they have plenty of time to explore. And don’t act all cocky. You didn’t get any until after we graduated.”

“Really?” I ask, giving Griffin a questioning brow.

He shrugs and pulls her into his side. “She was worth the wait.”

“So is Harper.”

Just then the front door flies open, and shoes are kicked off in the entryway. Together, Griffin, Claire, and I all lean forward to look down the hallway, searching for the source of the commotion. In a flash of dark red, Harper comes barreling down the hallway and hops right into my sweaty arms.

“Hey.” I laugh as she starts kissing my lips. “Harp, I’m . . . all . . . sweaty,” I say in between kisses.

“I don’t care.” She pulls away and beams right before pressing her lips against mine again.

Not that I don’t like kisses from my girl or her bouncing on my lap in excitement, but I also want to know why I’m deserving such treatment.

Gripping her shoulders, I carefully put some distance between us and look her in those excited hazel eyes. “What’s going on?”

From her back pocket, she pulls out a thick envelope and waves it in front of my face, making it impossible to make out what it is. “I got in, Rogue. I got into Syracuse University!”

“What?” I sit up and take the envelope from her. I pull the paper from inside and read the first few lines. “Holy shit, you got in!”

She nods, the biggest smile on her lips. “Do you know what that means?”

“I get to commit, and we get to go to school together.”

“Yup!” Tears of happiness pour from her eyes. I pull her into a hug, burying my face in her neck and squeezing her tightly.

“I’m so proud of you,” I mumble into her skin.

All the worry, all the late nights of wondering if we’re going to make it—it’s all washed away, and I finally take a breath. Harper and I get to go to the same college and leap into this next chapter of our life together.

Griffin finally chimes in. “Congrats, Harper! That’s so great. Syracuse is a great school.”

“I’m so happy for you two.” Claire claps her hands.

Harper turns on my lap and, keeping an arm wrapped around my shoulders, faces the rest of the room, her smile unwavering. “Thank you. I couldn’t believe it. After Penn State rejected me, I really thought there was no chance I’d be able to go to school with Rogan, but now . . . it’s possible.”

“It’s not just possible, Harp. It’s happening.” I kiss her cheek. “We need to celebrate. What’s your dad doing tonight? Does he want to come down to the house and have dinner with my family?”

“I’m sure he would love that. Let me give him a call.”

“I’ll let my parents know too. Maybe we can get some pizza to celebrate. I know Dad will want to bring some cookies home from the Landing.”

“My dad can pick up the pizza on the way here.”

With one more kiss, we part ways to make phone calls. It’s time to celebrate. I’ve been waiting for this night for so long.

Distant laughter filters through the air; lights from my house above reflect off the calm waters of the bay as I lie on a blanket below the deck of my childhood home with my girl’s back against my chest, her soft hair tickling my chin.

My parents are entertaining Mr. Sanders, celebrating the news. I signed my letter of intent for Syracuse University, meaning my next four years are set in stone. I don’t think I could have asked for a more perfect night.

After dessert, Harper and I sneaked out, letting our parents know we were going to be out by the rocks, taking in the cool night air and clear sky. After the excitement of the night, we knew they weren’t going to let us be alone alone outside of my parents’ property. It’s why they keep sending Brig to check on us, just to make sure we didn’t head off somewhere.

“Can I ask you a question?” Harper asks after a beat of silence.

“Always.”

“I want you to be honest and not just tell me what you think I want to hear.”

I sigh internally. Whenever Harper starts a sentence out like that, I know the question isn’t going to be good. It’s like she’s setting me up for failure.

“I’m always honest with you, no matter what.”

“Okay.” She snuggles closer into my chest, leaning her head against my shoulder. “I just want to make sure you’re happy with your school decision. You based your choice off me, but you’re the one who’s going to have to try to mesh with a team. Are you really happy about it?”

“Of course I’m happy. I wouldn’t have kept them on the list of schools if I didn’t like them.”

“I just want to make sure you’re completely comfortable with your decision. Syracuse wasn’t your first choice.”

“How many times do I have to go over this? I liked all the schools, and my decision was based off you because I love you and want you near me. And we’re not just high school sweethearts, Harper. We’re also best friends—have been since sixth grade, and a friendship like that lasts a lifetime. I want you by my side for this new chapter in our life.”

She chuckles, the sound soothing the nerves coiling in my stomach. “You had the worst haircut.”

“Okay.” I tickle her. “This coming from the girl whose bangs were like Tootsie Rolls.”

“It was the style.” She laughs, shifting in my grasp. “Stop it, I have to pee.”

“Then go to the bathroom.”