Page 68 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

I ’m meeting the girls at the café we all love so much to tell them the news. Scarlett is already on the patio with her drink—some fluffy latte thing. Paige is exiting the café with her drink as I go in.

“Hey, La La!” She waves, bight and cheery. “I’ll see you over there.”

“Okay.” I smile.

I walk in as the attendant, Noah, who was eavesdropping when Grant said I was in jail, greets me. “What can I get ya, Jailbreaker?” I hate my life.

“I didn’t go to jail.” I roll my eyes. “A crazy person made that up.”

Noah smirks. Jackass.

“I’ll have a coffee with cream.”

“It’ll be out in a minute.”

I wait in the corner, but instead of avoiding people, I look around the room.

There’s natural light filtering in on this sunny summer day.

My head is held high. I have no need to fidget.

I’m in a peaceful place, surrounded by my friends and good things to eat and drink.

I’m taking in the moment before everything changes.

Instead of feeling scared or nervous, I’m excited to see where things go, doing what I’ve always wanted to do.

“Jailbreaker!” The announcement should throw me off, but my feet step in line to the counter.

“Stay out of trouble.” He winks and goes to help his next customer.

I chuckle as I head outside to the girls. I’m going to miss this town .

“So, what’s the big news, Lana?” Scarlett starts.

“I’m moving to Texas,” I tell them.

Their mouths drop open.

“I can’t believe out of the three of us, you’re the one who is leaving. When did Grant ask?” Scarlett starts her interrogation.

“He’s been asking me to move in with him since the first visit. He’s crazy, but I love it.” I give them a tiny smile. “I’m going to culinary school. Grant has taken me to see every school in the area. I start in two months.”

“Oh my gosh!” Scarlett squeezes my arm. “You’re going to be amazing! I can’t wait to eat your food! Learn the best macaroni and cheese recipe for me, please!”

“It’s exciting, Lana! You know you need to come out here every so often, right? You can’t just leave us behind.” Paige looks like she’s going to cry.

“I’d never be able to leave you guys. Thank goodness for planes. I don’t think Queenie would come back with me, though. She loves Grant’s place. And Grant. And the puppy. Maybe more than me some days.”

They giggle.

“It’s going to be different.” Paige sighs.

“Yeah, but in a good way.” Scarlett stares off to the side. “Lana might not be on her own for too long. The app and additional memberships have made us so much money, I think I can open the new location...in Texas,” Scarlett says, avoiding Paige’s gaze as her mouth drops open.

“You’re both leaving me?” Paige whines, her eyebrows up to her hair line, and sitting on the edge of her seat.

“You’ll have Jason.” Scarlett shrugs. “Besides, Tessa is a great manager. I feel totally capable leaving her in charge.” Scarlett puts her hand on Paige’s shoulder. “It’s only a plane ride away.”

“With cowboys,” I reassure her.

She nods, looking solemn. “I’m going to be all alone.”

“Since when are you alone?” Scarlett asks, confused.

“You always find someone to be with and when you don’t, you call Jake.

You don’t need us. We’re old married women, basically.

Our hobbies are going to consist of bird watching and cooking now.

You still have that fun, outgoing streak you should hold out on. We can live vicariously through you.”

Paige responds with the most pathetic smile I’ve ever seen.

“I think you’re thinking you’ll be all alone because you won’t give in to someone who’s always been there for you.” I try to give her a hint.

Scarlett looks at me funny. We all know something is going on with Paige and her booty call, Jake. He’s been her go-to call for years and I can feel the connection between them. The sooner she realizes it, the sooner she’ll be happy.

“I’d better get it over with and buy a cat now,” Paige huffs.

Scarlett turns red. “Excuse me! I’ve been thinking about a cat and I’m not an old spinster.”

We giggle.

“To new beginnings.” I raise my cup towards the girls. Scarlett lifts her cup towards mine. Paige stares at us.

“I have no new beginning. You guys are leaving me and now my life is ending. It’s not a happy ending either. I refuse to participate.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Paige, get in on the cheers. We’re opening a new gym location. I’ll need your help with setting up the spa over there,” Scarlett chides.

She looks relieved. “Oh, okay. I’ll agree to that.” She puts her cup in as well. “To finding a new beginning with the best dick.”

“There’s that spirit we love.” I smirk.