by Laura Burton
“Nope,” the guy emphasizes the ‘p’ with a blank stare. Then he walks back into his apartment and slams the door shut in Chessy’s face. Ouch.
Her little hands ball into fists and her cheeks redden. She spins on the spot to look at me and Wyatt, then Leila and Blake who are still standing in her open door.
“How about that! New Yorkers are so rude!”
Wyatt drapes his arm around me and gives me a squeeze. I look up at him and beam into his eyes. We share a silent laugh. Then I exchange a knowing look with Leila as Chessy storms into her apartment. “I’m never talking to that jerk again!”
Blaze chuckles. “Why do I get the feeling she’s going to talk to him again?”
“I heard that!” Chessy’s unimpressed shout floats out from inside the apartment.
“Cut it out!” the neighbor shouts back, muffled by the door.
“Oh, give it a break!” Chessy shakes her fist in the direction of the neighbor’s door. It’s a sitcom.
Just before we all leave, I pull my sisters in for a group hug and we stand in a circle, pressing our heads together just like we’ve always done in the years past. So many changes. But for the first time, change is a lot more beautiful and a lot less scary.
Later, Wyatt and I walk arm in arm along the streets of New York, the hustle and bustle around us blurring from view whenever we turn to look at each other, lost in our own little world. I’m engaged to Wyatt Croft. My name is going to be Lucy Croft. That’s insanely close to Lara Croft. I think I know what my bachelorette party theme is going to be.
Usually, my mind bombards me with all sorts of worst case scenarios when it comes to the future. But every time I look at Wyatt, all I can picture is his hair turning gray like his dad’s, and the two of us settling down in a country home. And that sounds pretty good to me. Maybe we’ll go back to Snowdrop Valley for our retirement and live out the rest of our days in slow country time. And we’ll dance in the marquee like all the other old couples, too hard of hearing to care about the noise.
Okay, so maybe that’s not a super realistic view of the future. But I’ll take it, knowing that it doesn’t really matter.
No matter what our future holds, the Crofts will face it. Together.
THE END
––Read Chessy’s book in The New Girl Next Door. Read Now
Author Note: Thank you so much for reading Lucy’s story. Hers is most precious to me, because I am on the Autism spectrum, and this book was the most freeing, authentic experience. If you enjoyed the book, please consider posting a nice review! Reviews really help me reach the right readers. Thank you. Laura XoXo
Also By Laura Burton
Writer of Sweet Romcom with a Dash of Mystery and Suspense
(Note: All of Laura’s contemporary books are written in the same world. Characters, brand names etc will pop up in all the books!)
For sweet and sexy Billionaires
Billionaires in the City
Who Wants to Love a Billionaire?
Who Wants to Kiss a Billionaire?
Who Wants to Date a Billionaire?
How to Tame a Billionaire Cowboy
How to Nanny a Billionaire’s Baby
How to Fire your Billionaire Boss
Read about four college grads finding love through a game of Truth or Dare
Truth or Dare
What I don’t like about You
Dare Number One: Kiss Me Like You Mean It
Dare Number Two: Don’t Fall in Love
Dare Number Three: Pretend to be Mine
For sweet and silly romcoms with all the feels
Be My Fake Fiancé
Love Me Like You Mean It
Love Me in the Spotlight
Love Me I’m Your Princess
Love Me One More Time
Romcoms with a side of mystery
Love is a Mystery
Flirting with my Enemy
Married to my Boss
Cute Billionaire romcoms with surprises!
Surprised by Love
The Terrible Personal Shopper
The Makeover Surprise
The New Girl Next Door
For fairytale retellings for Once Upon a Time fans
Fairytales Reimagined
Queen of Snow
Red Arrows
Beastly Secrets
Pure as Snow
Above the Sea
Heart of Glass