Chapter 26
ZOE
I was in my room at the hideaway, getting ready for my shift, when my phone rang. It was Peyton.
I answered. “Hey, what’s—”
“Oh my god, Zoe, I have the best news!” Her voice was breathless, bubbling over with excitement. “I’m moving in with Michael!”
I sat down on the edge of my bed. “What? You’re moving in with him?”
“Yes! Isn’t that amazing? We’re going to be so happy together.”
“Peyton, you just met him—”
“And it’s been the best few weeks of my life. He’s so sweet and smart and—oh, Zoe, I’m just so happy.”
My stomach twisted. “Does that mean you’re moving to Haverford?”
“Yes! And I haven’t even told you the best part yet.”
I stood up, already starting to pace. “What?”
“He’s paying my tuition for a semester, so I’m going to be a student at Langley too!”
I froze. “What?”
“I know, right? It’s perfect. You and I will be in the same town. We can see each other all the time.”
“Peyton, you have to apply to Langley. There are essays and recommendations and—” I was privately doubting she could get in. Langley was one of the most exclusive schools in the country. “Applications for the spring semester closed months ago.”
“No, no, no.” She said it quickly, dismissively, like she was waving away a minor detail. “He pulled some strings. I’m in.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “He pulled strings?”
“Yeah. He’s got connections there or something. Anyway, it’s all taken care of. I’ll be in town on January fifth.”
“What?” My voice rose. “I won’t be back by then. I’ll still be here at the resort.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll be at Michael’s house.”
Something cold settled in my chest. “Where does he live?”
“I don’t know. Somewhere in Haverford.”
I stared at the wall. “You don’t know where he lives?”
“I haven’t been there yet. But I will be soon.”
“So, he’s been traveling to visit you?” Please say yes.
“Well, we mostly video chat.”
My heart was pounding now. “Peyton. Have you ever met this man in person?”
“Well, I will, silly. We’re going to live together.”
“Peyton—”
“And you’ll get to meet him too when you get back. Isn’t that great? He’s so wonderful, Zoe. You’re going to love him.”
I was pacing now, running my free hand through my hair. “Peyton, listen to me. This is a bad idea. You need to slow down. You need to find out more information before you—”
“Oh, I know you’re probably worried because of how things went with Travis. And with that band I joined. But this is different. This is real. Michael is the one.”
“You’ve never met him in person,” I said again, trying to keep my voice calm even though panic was rising in my throat.
“Yet. But that’s all going to change in less than two weeks. I can’t wait!”
“Peyton—”
She wasn’t listening. She never listened when she got like this—so caught up in her own excitement that nothing else could penetrate.
I sat down heavily on the edge of my bed again. “I’m going to text you the name and number of my friend Mia. If you get into town and you need anything—anything at all—she’ll help you. Because remember, I’ll be three hours away.”
“Oh, that’s great! I’d love to meet Maya.”
“It’s Mia.
“Right, Maya. That’s so sweet of you to set that up.”
I closed my eyes. “Peyton. Please. Just think about this for a minute. This is all happening so fast, and you’ve never even—”
“I know it’s fast. But when you know, you just know, you know? I’ll see you soon, and we’ll be students together. Won’t that be fun?”
“Peyton—”
“I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Mom for lunch, and I want to tell her the news too. Love you!”
The line went dead.
Love you too, I thought. Because I did. But that didn’t change what a disaster this was going to be.
But I had my own disaster to face—an internship I had no hope of passing, thanks to Mrs. Greer.
So I took a few deep breaths and then headed out to do my job. And to try not to think about all the ways this thing with Peyton could go horribly wrong.