Page 119 of That Friendzone Feeling

“Ourplane’s waiting, so we’d better go, but have a great rest of the night,”Paxsays.Hepoints atSara. “Bein touch in a couple of days.”

Andwith a bunch of waves,TheDreamtownBoysdisappear through the doors and head toward the van waiting to take them to the airport.

“Oh, myGod,Sara,”Emilysays, grabbing her sister’s arms. “You’regoing to work withTheDreamtownBoys.”

“Itotally am,” she says.Herface is brighter and more relaxed thanI’veever seen it.

Aswe wander back over to the sitting area, where we gathered with our families after the show, a bunch of our relatives head toward us.

“We’regoing to turn in,”Jimsays, surrounded byMaggie,Max,Polly, andEm’sparents.

“It’sall been so fabulous,”Maggiesays, dabbing her eyes.

“We’rehappyEmily’schosen someone we know will treat her well,”Mr.Lombardosays.Em’smom nods.Iguess that’s the best we can hope for from them for now.ButEmandSaraare working on it, so baby steps.

“Somany weddings!”Maggiesays. “OwenandSummer’scoming up.Youtwo after that.”ShenudgesPollyand smiles atMax. “Thenwe can start thinking aboutConnorandRoseand you guys.”ShepullsEmilyinto a hug.

“Maybewe can serve some of my wine atOwenandSummer’s,”Jimsays.

“Idon’t think it’ll be ready by then,”Itell him.We’vehad a hiccup in the fermentation process, butI’mhelping him sort it out.Also, who the hell knows what the first batch will taste like?

“I’mgoing to head back to my room too,”Sarasays. “Afterall that excitement,I’msuddenly exhausted.”

Thegaggle of them head toward the door, waving and calling good night and congratulations.

“Guesswe’re the last ones at the party, then.”Idrop into a chair oppositeElliotandCharlotte.

“Actually,Ineed to call it a night as well,”Charlottesays, putting down her empty glass. “You’veall been so nice to include me.”

Emilyperches on the arm of my chair. “I’mpretty sure you’re as good as family toMax.”

“Yup,”Elliotsays. “Heconstantly refers to you as the irritating little sister he never had.”

“Iknow.Hedoes that to my face,”Charlottesays, standing up. “Hemight mock my color-coded planners, butIthink we all know he’d be a mess without them.”

Shebends to hugEmily. “Youtwo are just perfect together.”Thenit’s my turn. “Andcongratulations again.”

“Seeyou at breakfast before the surf lesson,”Elliotcalls to her as she heads across the room.

We’veorganized a bunch of activities for everyone, and surfing is the first thing on tomorrow’s agenda.

“BetIstay on my board longer than you.”Charlottepulls a face at him over her shoulder as she opens the door.

“You’reon,”Elliotsays with a spark in his eyeI’mnot sureI’veever seen before. “YouknowIvisitOweninCaliforniaa lot, right?Somaybe you shouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“We’llsee.”Charlottedisappears through the door with a smile.

Aslight pink flush appears onElliot’scheeks as he stands up and turns toEmand me. “Youknow…Ishould probably go too.Needto…work on…an algorithm fix…for the…SanFrancisco…thing…”

“Careful,El,”Emilysays, half smiling, half concerned. “Shejust broke up with her boyfriend.Lastweek.That’swhyMaxandPollybrought her.Theythought she could do with getting out of town for the weekend to take her mind off it.”

“Charlotte?”Elliot’seyebrows shoot to the heavens. “Brokeup with her boyfriend?Asin finished?It’sover?Like, for good?”

“Yes.”Ismile at his shock. “Asin, she’s single now.”

“Oh, myGod,”Elliotsays, his face morphing into someone whoseChristmasesare arriving all at once.Hecatches himself and his face morphs into a more concerned expression. “Imean, that’s awful for her.Theywere together a long time.”

“Yes,”Emilysays. “So, you should probably give her a minute.”