Page 72 of Wright Together

“You belong here, Eve.”

The words I’d always wanted to hear. I’d thought he was too good to be true, but really, it had beenallof this. And now, somehow, it was my reality.

I drew him in for a hug. “Thank you.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Of course. I like to see you happy.”

We were drawn into the party with all of our friends. Drinking, dancing, and laughing like I hadn’t laughed in years. I was on the dance floor, arms overhead, grinding with Blaire when I felt my phone buzz in my purse at my hip.

I extracted myself from the group to check my phone and saw that Bailey was videocalling me. I hadn’t heard from her all day. I’d been waiting for this call.

Whitt was at my side a second later. “Everything okay?”

“It’s Bailey. Going to take this.”

“Okay. Let’s get you somewhere quiet.”

He escorted me away from the loud music and to the corridor that led to the restrooms. At least here, I could hear myself think.

“Should I go?” Whitt asked, gesturing back to the party.

I shook my head. “Stay.” Then, I answered the phone and saw my sister’s pretty face on the screen. “Hey, Bails.”

“Ahhh, happy birthday!” Bailey cried. She went into a full rendition of the birthday song while I laughed at her ridiculousness.

“Thank you.”

“How does it feel to be old?”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “I hate you.”

“I know. I love you, too.”

“It’s nice to have a fully developed prefrontal cortex, unlike someone I know.”

My sister rolled her eyes. “Overrated.”

“Are you ready to start school?”

She grumbled. “Let’s not. Where are you? Sounds like a party.”

“Yeah. My friends threw me a surprise party.” Whitt arched an eyebrow, and I added, “And my…date spearheaded the whole thing.”

“Date?” Bailey gasped. “Like a boyfriend?”

“Sort of.”

Whitt’s eyebrows rose sharply at that.

“Let me see. Let me see!”

I laughed and gestured Whitt into the picture. “Bailey, this is Whitton Wright.”

“Hello, Bailey,” Whitt said. “Please call me Whitt. Everyone else does.”

Bailey grinned. “Oh my God, hi. I’ve never met my sister’s boyfriend before. This is awesome.”

“Bails,” I groaned.