ONCE MORE, WITH YOU

XV

Summer Preston

The day before the premiere has finally arrived, and I can barely contain my excitement.

I arrived in LA last evening with Nolan and Adrianna. As expected, we're all staying on the same floor of the same hotel. Adrianna and I are directly across from one another, while Nolan's room is on my right.

After unpacking our bags yesterday, we headed out to dinner at a restaurant called Palm & Plate. The food was incredible—surprising, considering I rarely like trying new things. My favorite part, though, was their drink menu. I tried a cocktail called the Blushberry Breeze, a strawberry slushie with a vodka twist, and it was heavenly.

Adrianna and I had three of those before Nolan decided we'd had enough. He wasn't thrilled after we knocked over a glass of water on his lap and laughed so hard we nearly cried.

Now, the three of us are sprawled across Nolan's bed, idly chatting.

"Is everyone you invited staying in this hotel?" Adrianna asked.

"I'm not sure," I replied. "I told them they should—it's only ten minutes from the venue, so it's an easy commute."

"I'd definitely stay here. Free breakfast every day? You can't beat that," Nolan said, popping a chocolate-covered strawberry into his mouth.

"All you think about is food," Adrianna teased.

"You say that like it's a problem," he shot back.

"Okay, fatty. Go ahead and finish those strawberries."

"If you want one, just say so."

"I don't eat strawberries," Adrianna said, rolling her eyes.

I couldn't help but giggle. "You drank a strawberry slushie last night!"

"A slushie and an actual strawberry are two different things," she retorted.

"It's still a strawberry," Nolan chimed in.

"Just shut up," Adrianna huffed, turning her attention back to her phone.

I tuned them out as my phone buzzed with a text from Solené.

Hi Summer, how are you?

I smiled and texted back.

I'm good, how about you?

I'm great. This California heat is something else.

Tell me about it. I've got the AC on full blast in my room.

Same here. Every time I step outside, it feels like my skin is melting.

That was me yesterday at dinner with Adrianna and Nolan. When did you get here?

I arrived a few hours ago. I've just been settling in. What hotel are you staying at?

I'm at Casa Lumière. What about you?

Wait, really? I'm staying there too.

If you wanted to stay at the same hotel as me, just say that. No need to follow me.

Don't flatter yourself.

Already flattered.

As soon as I hit send, Nolan snatched my phone out of my hand.

"Why would you do that?" I groaned, reaching for it.

He held it out of reach, smirking as he read the texts. "She's texting her girlfriend," he teased.