problem though. I'm not sure if I can stand up.”
They looked confused.
“It’s a long story.” I extended my arms, and Callie and Jordan helped pull me up from the couch cushions.
Zara looked confused. “Did you try a new workout yesterday?”
“You could say that.” I went to the door and slipped on a pair of furry boots. “I followed your advice and went to Ray’s for the video. But then I ended up working cattle.”
An outburst of surprised cries and questions broke out in my living room.
“Can I explain this on the way there?” I asked.
“Sure,” Zara said with a mischievous grin. “We probably shouldn't leave the boys out in the cold too much longer.”
I grabbed my phone and purse before going outside and locking the door behind me. A stretch limo waited along my driveway, and I looked at Zara.
“Don't give me that look,” she said. “Blame Jordan’s boyfriend.”
Jordan rolled her eyes. “It was this or a conversion van.”
I shrugged. “Not a bad choice,” I said. “Looks like someone's getting used to dating a billionaire.”
“Almost billionaire,” Jordan corrected. “We’ll have to wait till we finish at UCLA.”
I shook my head and followed them down my driveway to the black limo. We crawled into the backseat, where guys were waiting.
Carson smirked at me. “Are we allowed in here?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know my parents are crazy.”
“That’s true,” Beckett said.
Kai nodded. “We should have thrown rocks at your window and asked you to let down your long hair.”
I shook my head and sat back in the long leather seat. I wasn't Rapunzel, but I felt like it sometimes. “I'm out, now what are you guys going to do with my freedom?”
Jordan said, “Next up, my new house. And on the way there, you best be telling us why you were at the cowboy’s house yesterday.”
Kai raised his eyebrows. “You were at Ray’s? I thought you guys hated each other.”
“It's complicated,” I said, explaining that I went out to his house to film our video project and ended up staying there all day. I told them about working cattle and how we'd had what I thought was a moment before his cool treatment today.
Kai frowned. “Maybe he’s just bad at texting?”
I rolled my eyes. “Is that even possible anymore?” Then it hit me. “I didn’t even have cell service there. How did he text me?”
He shrugged. “They just have a different way of life out there.”
“Maybe, but I'll be happy when the project is over. Now, tell me about this townhouse.”
Jordan gracefully accepted the change of subject and told me it was on the border between Seaton and Emerson. She and her mom had toured it yesterday and signed a lease on the spot. Apparently, it was really beautiful on the inside and in a lot safer neighborhood.
“But it is farther from the bakery,” Jordan said with a frown.
Kai chuckled. “Oh no, you’re going to have to wait ten minutes instead of five for your morning muffin.”
“It’s awful,” she said.
I smiled and shook my head. “You guys are crazy about that place.”
“For good reason,” Rory pitched in, grinning at Beckett.
I guessed it was pretty hard not to love the place where your love story started. And they did make pretty good cakes.
“Okay,” Jordan said, “this is the complex.”
We pressed our faces up against the tinted glass and watched the townhomes come into view. They were painted with pretty coastal colors and had nicely landscaped grassy areas between each of the buildings.
“We might even be able to get a dog!” Jordan said.
I raised my eyebrows, excited for her. “No way.” I’d have to wait until I had my own place to get my own hypoallergenic pet.
She nodded. “We'll have to see how busy I am when I start college, but it's definitely on the table.”
“I'm excited for you,” I said.
“So,” she began, “are you guys gonna help me set up my new room?”
“Who do you even think you're asking?” I teased. “Callie’s like the queen of helping people, and you know the rest of us will be there too.”
The limo driver turned around the parking lot and left the cute townhomes behind.
“So, axe throwing,” I said. My parents would never approve of it. But if Zara’s boyfriend was paying for it, I wasn’t going to turn it down.
Zara rolled her eyes. “The guy is a pretty good investor in Dad’s business, and he just happens to own an axe throwing business on the side. It's not going to last between us, but I