“Tooth and nail, brother.” Henry chuckled. “But we reminded her that our Valtanese winery is a large part of the commerce for the region, and Father met with the council the last time he visited. He got on smashingly with them, and they would not like the way Ms. Highlander has done business in their town. One peep from her and the whole deal is negated, which I believe will ensure your continued privacy. She was most enthusiastic that her reputation be preserved, so I doubt we’ll have much trouble from her.”
The world around me stilled. I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.
My identity was safe?
I could stay in Sweet Mountain?
No other news would’ve been sweeter to my ears at that moment.
“Thank you, Father. And Henry. I’m grateful beyond anything I could express right now.”
Henry’s laughter came through the phone. “Don’t thank us. Thank your hosts. They were the ones who brought this desperate issue to our notice and pleaded your case. It seems that you have made quality connections there in Sweet Mountain. I hope you continue to maintain them.”
“Oh, I will.”
I looked at Tori as I said this, amazement filling me from top to bottom. This wonderful girl had changed everything. When I thought I was the hero of the day, she’d gone and saved the entire year.
She was the true heroine.
The phone call ended, and I slowly dropped the phone to my side. Tori’s eyes were wide, and she was busy chewing on her bottom lip.
“Well?” she asked, swallowing hard.
“Well, it seems I am to stay in Sweet Mountain a bit longer than anticipated.” A smile worked its way onto my face, and I didn’t even attempt to hold it back. “You did everything.”
She matched my grin with one of her own, her eyes twinkling. “No, I just tweaked your brilliant plan to make it even more brilliant. Now, everyone wins.”
“And you got accepted into the NHS?”
I sincerely hoped Greta had followed through on her promise.
Tori nodded and then shrugged. “It’s cool and all, but I’m realizing now that I was putting too much weight in it. I’ve got lots of people who like me just the way I am. Who aren’t waiting for me to screw up. And that includes you. You’re worth it, August. Every smile, every laugh, and even when you make me so frustrated I could scream. You’re worth more than that silly club. And I think you should stick around long enough to let me prove it to you.”
I’d heard more than enough. Scooping her into my arms, I planted a kiss on her soft, cherry lips and spun her around. She squealed and then kissed me back, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck. I’d never remembered feeling happier. More content.
The itch that had brought me halfway across the world was gone. In its place was the affection of a young woman who was my superior in more ways than one. I was so grateful to her and to Richard. They were so much more than I could’ve hoped for when I’d come searching for easy gratification. They were the ones that mattered.
We stopped spinning, and I gently set Tori back on the ground. Glancing around, I looked for my host, but he was strangely absent.
“Where’s Richard? Is he waiting in the parking lot?”
Tori grinned sheepishly and raised her shoulders. “Nope. I drove his pickup. It’s currently sitting on the curb, probably about to be towed if we don’t hurry.”
My eyebrows arched, and I stared down at her in mock fear. “You mean to tell me you got behind the wheel? Are there any survivors out there?”
Tori laughed and hit me playfully on the shoulder. “I’ll have you know I didn’t even cause a single accident. Maybe this driving thing is for me, after all. No more school bus for us.”
“I don’t know about that.” I took her hand firmly in mine and began putting my possessions back into my pocket from the scanning belt tray. “I think I’d rather take my chances with old Earl.”
She squealed again, and I cut her off with a kiss. When I pulled away, her eyes were slightly dazed, and she wore a sleepy smile.
“Want to go home, Princess?”
Her smile grew. “Yes, please.”
I draped my arm over her shoulders, and we made our way toward the lobby. I thought about Tori and how she’d turned my life around in such a short time. We’d both be graduating in the spring, I’d be heading to Oxford before long, and then I’d have to take my place by my brother’s side. It was everything my father had trained me for. Everything I’d once fought against. But for some reason, it didn’t scare me anymore. The future was far too bright.
“Any chance you’d consider adding Oxford to that list of potential colleges of yours?” I asked, sneaking a glance at her out of the corner of my eye.
Her lips curled up in a sweet smile. “Jokes on you. It was already on the list long before you came to town. Although, I’m pretty sure I crossed it out the minute I found out you were going there. Might have to add it back in.”
I laughed and stepped in front of her. She was just stubborn enough that I was certain that had to be true. “Be careful. If you decide to come to Oxford next year with me, we might actually make a snob out of you.”
“You can try.” She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “But I’m pretty sure my Sweet Mountain roots will keep me humble.”
“Thank goodness for Sweet Mountain,” I said.
She grinned. “Thank goodness for Sweet Mountain.”
And with that, I let her lead me to the exit.
As it turned out, Sweet Mountain was exactly the place for me. I just hadn’t realized until now what I needed. Tori had made it clear. She’d made everything clear.
And now, I was royally sunk for that girl.
Epilogue
Enjoy a sneak peek from book 4 in the Sweet Mountain High Series: Class of 2021, My Favorite Point Guard by Stephanie Street
It was during a timeout in a basketball game when I decided what I was going to do. I should have been paying attention to Coach Mullins, but he wasn’t saying anything I didn’t already know. Instead, I stared at the girl I’d had a secret crush on since the beginning of the semester. Afton Marrow. She sat in the stands two rows behind the home team bench, and I asked myself, How did you miss her all these years?
But I knew the answer. Afton had a twin sister, Starr. The two girls couldn’t be any more different. Starr was exactly what her name implied, a bright light and always the center of attention.
Not Afton. Afton was quiet, sweet, and funny. And unfortunately, easily overlooked when Starr was around. The realization made me defensive for Afton’s sake and angry with myself for never seeing what was right under all of our noses.
But how could I tell her about my feelings? I couldn’t just come out and say it, could I? No. She deserved something better.
I needed a plan. I had to do something . . . big. But what?
And then it hit me. Valentine’s Day was coming up. It would be the perfect time, right? And suddenly, a plan began to take shape in my head. It was a brilliant, perfect plan to win the heart of a girl like Afton.
The whistle blew, and I took one last look at the girl of my dreams. Yes. I was going to do it. Come Valentine’s Day, Afton Marrow wouldn’t know what hit her.
Grab the next book in the Sweet Mountain High Series: Class of 2021, My Favorite Point Guard HERE!
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About the Author
Author Lacy Andersen isn't a billionaire in disguise, an ancient vampire in line for the crown, or a rock star looking for love - but she does love to write about them. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with an MFA in writing, she currently lives in South Dakota in the US with her loving husband, two precious kids, and two furry pups. Supplying happily-ever-afters is her passion.
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My Royally Cute Enemy: A YA Sweet Romance (Sweet Mountain High, Year 2: A Sweet YA Romance Series Book 3) Page 13
