Page 85 of I Think He Knows

He moves his head slightly and grazes his lips to my neck, brushing across a sweet, sensitive spot that sends a literal flurry of chills down my spine. “‘Aim high’ is what I like to say. I got you to agree to marry me, didn’t I?”

I have no idea if this is for the benefit of the other parents present, or if he’s just teasing me, but the sensation of his lips against my skin short-circuits my brain, and my body explodes into an electrical fire.

“True,” I say shakily, trying my best not to melt on the spot. And then, maybe because of the aforementioned short circuit and complete system malfunction, or because I can’t bear the thought of him having to spend another night squished on my couch when he has a perfectly good bed twenty minutes away, I add, “Actually, what if wedidn’tgo back to my place tonight?”

He chuckles, those blue eyes crinkling adorably at the corners. “Where are you planning on going?”

“Well, maybe… we can stay at yours?” I turn so I can look him in the eye, and lower my voice so nobody else can hear. “Your place is so much more bigger and more comfortable. I was thinking it’d be nice to escape there for awhile, and give you somewhere more comfortable to sleep.”

“My back would be very thankful.”

“I’ll have to run home first and pack some things for Legs and myself. You don’t mind if Harry Styles comes with us, do you?”

“I don’t mind at all. Harry’s stayed at my place before.”

“No, he hasn’t.” I frown in confusion at Carter’s playful expression. Then, the penny drops and my eyes grow to be saucers. “Holy moly… You don’t mean the cat, do you?”

“I do not.”

27

CARTER

This morning, I woke up in a tent with my arms wrapped around Lana Mae.

And yes, we were on the floor, and my back was aching like I was very, very elderly instead of a mere twenty-eight years old. But it was perfect.

Because last night, in the darkness of our late night conversation, I told Lana Mae to do what she wanted to do, and she chose to stay.

It’s making me feel like everything I’m feeling, she’s feeling too. That this push and pull between us goes beyond sheer tension and attraction for both of us. That it’s not fake at all, but real and deep and meaningful. That if I kiss her now, it would be real for both of us.

I’ve never had a serious relationship in my life. Since I moved to LA, I’ve had nothing but short-lived flings. I never knew why this was the case, never gave it too much thought. But now, I’m starting to think that there’s a simple reason: if it wasn’t with Lana Mae, I didn’t want it.

How could anyone else come close to stealing my heart when it was always hers?

I walk around the guest wing of my house, making sure that everything is perfect before Lana Mae and Allegra arrive. They’re at their place, packing, and it’s given me time to appreciate the newly renovated and decorated section of the house.

After the engagement party last week, I flew Anthony back to LA so he could have some well-deserved time off while I lay low here in Atlanta. But before he went, he managed to source a great husband-and-wife team who run a local renovation and interior design business to decorate the guest wing of the house. Just in case Lana and Legs ended up staying here during our arrangement.

I’ve seen enough of Lana Mae’s Pinterest boards over the years to know what she likes, and I wanted her and Legs to feel comfortable and at home. Somehow, the designer was able to pull off some amazing work from the stilted, vague and entirely questionable descriptions I gave her. Which included “she likes those hangy plant things” and “maybe add some natural-looking stuff.”

I’ve been coming to the house every day to check in on how the project was going while Lana Mae was at work. The designers wrapped it up in perfect time—yesterday.

Allegra’s room now features soft pink walls, a custom-built four-poster bed, and an array of sparkly, unicorn-themed touches. Lana’s room is what the lady called “boho chic”—all muted tones and soft furnishings, and finished with a few of the designer’s own art pieces that she commissions for interior design clients.

Best of all, they were able to fully renovate my unused office space upstairs to create the perfect surprise for Lana. I was inspired by theGilmore Girlsten years later show (or whatever it’s called) that I’ve been watching with her at her place since I started sleeping on her couch.

I didn’t like a number of things about the show, but Ididlike the way Jess helped Rory realize a dream of hers.

No matter what happens between us, no matter what we are to each other, I will always try to do the same for Lana Mae.

Downstairs, the doorbell rings.

They’re here.

28

LANA MAE