Page 150 of Fall Fake-Out

“So what are you going to do?”

I look at her. “Do I have to do something?”

“I mean, what happens after tonight?”

Oh.

I don’t actually know what normal people do next.

But standing in this tent, watching Ari move through the crowd, I can’t imagine any version of my life where she’s suddenly not in it.

“What am I supposed to do next?”

Sadie raises an eyebrow.

“No, seriously.” I run a hand through my hair. “I don't know how to do this. How to keep her.” The confession leaves my mouth before I can stop it.

Sadie gives me a soft smile that’s more knowing than anything. “For starters, you need to tell Ari. Women don’t like uncertainty.”

“Tell her what?”

“How you feel about her. The truth.”

The truth.

The terrifying truth that I can’t actually live without her.

Before I can answer, Sadie nudges my shoulder. “Oh, dang. You might have some competition.”

“What?” My eyes dart to Ari, and my stomach immediately tightens.

She’s standing with her mom, talking to a tall, clean-cut, confident-smile kind of man.

“He could be a cousin.”

“Nuh-uh.” She shakes her head. “I met him a little while ago. His name is Ethan Miner. He’s Jaxon’s friend from school. Future lawyer. Every mom’s dream for her daughter.”

That explains why Barb is looking at Ethan like he hung the moon, and maybe that explains why Ari is smiling back at him.

When it comes to relationships, he’s the stable bet. Way more stable than me.

“You’re jealous,” Sadie says.

“I’m not jealous. They’re just talking.”

“You’re absolutely jealous. And maybe you wouldn’t be feeling this way if you’d actually talk to Ari and tell her how you feel.”

Something unpleasant twists in my chest.

Have I missed my chance?

Is Ethan Miner taking residency in her heart because I was dragging my feet and didn’t make my intentions clear?

Because, suddenly, I can see a future with Ari, and it doesn’t scare me.

It excites me.

A month ago, I would’ve called that feeling a trap. But not now.