Read Drew + Fable Forever: A One Week Girlfriend Novella for Free Online Page B

the uneasy sensation that slipped over me the moment we first saw that glimpse of the ocean. As we drove south on Highway One, past the Monterey exits, my heart started to race and my palms began to sweat.
    All those tough, ugly feelings swarmed back to the surface, making me itchy. I thought I could handle this, coming back here. I thought everything would be all right because I knew
she
was gone and those old ghosts that had haunted Drew for so long had slowly evaporated over time. He fought hard to conquer his demons. I stood beside him, cheering him on the entire time.
    But maybe since I’d spent so much time focused on his demons, I never realized I had my own. Being back in the Monterey Bay area, I feel small. Like I’m nothing. I’ve reverted back to that tough, poor, slutty girl again, pretending to be in love with a gorgeous, perfect guy all for a lump sum of money that will temporarily take care of me and my brother.
    Drew could sense I was feeling that way, too. I think my nervousness became this living, breathing thing that seeped from my body and into his. Owen was oblivious, sitting in thebackseat with his earbuds in, the music so loud I could still hear it, tinny and bass-heavy. Drew had looked over at me and reached out across the console to take my hand and bring it to his mouth, pressing the softest, sweetest kiss to my knuckles.
    “I love you,” he’d whispered, his gaze flickering to mine before he returned it to the road stretched out before us. “Don’t ever forget it.”
    Just like that, the knots in my stomach slowly unwound and my breathing eased. “I hate this place,” I whispered in return.
    “Why?” He let go of my hand and turned his attention more firmly to the road, hitting the blinker and slowing down as he pulled off on the upcoming exit. “It’s where we fell in love.”
    The realization had stunned me. He’s right. We
had
fallen in love here. It may have been scary and ugly and heartbreaking, but our week in Carmel had also been sweet and hopeful and full of wonder. I’d never felt anything like what I experienced with Drew with any other boy.
    And that little conversation, Drew’s simple words, fueled me for the rest of the trip. Out here on his father’s back patio, the fairy lights wound in the trees twinkling above, the sliver of a pale white moon watching over us, the music loud and the chattering voices even louder, I’m content. Comfortable. Holding my own. Feeling like I belong here.
    “We should check out Ocean Avenue tomorrow,” Drew whispers close to my ear, amusement tingeing his deep voice.
    “What? Are you serious?” Even though I’ve come to terms with being here, it doesn’t mean I want to linger and make it a serious vacation. Besides, Drew needs to get back home so he can resume practice.
    “Well yeah, remember the spot where we kissed?” His eyes are warm as they search my face, filled with so much love I feel my heart swell.
    “Yes,” I whisper achingly. “Of course I remember.”
    “I want to go back there.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his index finger lingering on my skin. “I want to kiss you again in that little alley and remember how wet we were from the rain. How nervous I was. I was scared you might reject me.”
    I’d felt the same way. We’d dealt with much of the same feelings and fears and hadn’t even known it.
    “I want to take you to that store where you got the dress that just about killed me and buy you whatever you want,” he continues, his fingers drifting across my jaw. My eyes flutter closedas memories rush back at me. “I want to sit outside the dressing room and have you come out to show me every single thing you’re trying on.”
    That he remembers all the little details sends a thrill of pleasure spiraling to the very depths of my soul.
    “And then I want to wander off for a bit and let you do whatever you want, secretly hoping that you’ll send me a text that says ‘marshmallow.’ Though if