Absolutely Not in Love (Sweater Weather, #7; Appies, #2)

by Jenny Proctor

Tchaikovsky?” He nods and runs a hand through his hair. “Variations on a Rococo Theme.”

All I know is I get more excited about the prospect of running into Gracie than I do anyone else I’ve met in Harvest Hollow.

<3

I can afford my apartment because I own the entire building.

WHAT

Gracie’s Honda is already parked in her spot when I pull in my Audi beside it. It’s ridiculous how happy this makes me.

NOT THE HE FELL FIRST TROPE

She looks amazing. Like, take my breath away amazing.

only ask because you look really nice. Not that you don’t always look nice. You do. But tonight, with all the black. You—good.”

It’s funny. Finding out I’m a hockey player usually has the opposite effect on women. Unfortunately, the fact that it doesn’t impact Gracie at all only makes me like her more.

“I’m not doing this because it’s my duty, Gracie.”

AHAHHHUDWWJSBJWJQBHKE

And thanks for the clothes, too.” His eyes rove over me appreciatively for a second time. “You make them look better than I do.”

SCREAMNG

“Maybe. But knowing I’m attractive generally and knowing you find me attractive are not the same thing.”

like js date already

She’s talented. She’s beautiful. And I really want to make this work.

“The latest romance by Amelie De Pierre,”

Logan: Have you strewn your apartment with flower petals? If you have, ABANDON SHIP.

Even though now I realize it might sound like I think you NEED to exercise, which is not the case because I think you look amazing.

“If it matters,” I say slowly, my eyes lifting to hers, “I love to hear you play.”

“Only if the texts are from you.”

Felix: Give me more reasons to like you, Gracie. I’m not sure I have enough.

Gracie: I love that you refer to it with capital letters, like it ought to be commemorated in history books or something. Felix: It should be. At least in our history book.

Felix: Thanks. It took all my willpower to focus on the game. Gracie: Yeah? Why is that? Felix: There’s just been this person I’ve been thinking about a lot lately…

Amy Harmon’s From Sand and Ash?

“What’s it going to take for you to lose your mind, Gracie?”

“What just happened?” I say, and she starts to laugh. “I think he just told you he plans to make you fall in love with him,” Jadah said. I reach for another cupcake, willing my heart to slow. I guess the joke is on him, because it suddenly occurs to me: I think I already have.

“It was her music.” My eyes fly open to see Felix stepping onto the porch. “It was her music that made me fall for her,” he repeats. He holds out his hand, and I slip my fingers into his, letting him tug me to my feet. He sits down in my chair and pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms securely around me.

I’m hers.

Ernest Hemingway,

They have to be different, because I’m in love with you, Gracie.

I can’t promise I won’t ever screw up again. But I can promise I will live every day trying my hardest to put you first—to love you like you deserve.

Also. I really, really love him, too.

Gracie. Sitting just behind the glass, a huge smile on her face, wearing an Appies jersey. Gracie is here—in freaking California—at my game.

Gracie laughs as she lifts it over her head, holding it up for me to see. The poster reads MR. DARCY? NAH. GIVE ME FELIX JAMISON.

Whatever it takes, whatever she needs, I’m all in. I don’t have a single doubt in my mind. She’s worth it.