The words land heavy in my chest because they're true. I sat back and watched her do it in college, when things got too serious with that ex of hers. Last year, when she and I got too close and she ghosted me for three months.
"Don't let her run, Reece," Jett says quietly. "She'll try. She always does. But if you let her go without fighting for her, she'll convince herself that's proof she was right all along."
"How do I fight for someone who won't tell me what she's running from?"
"You show her she has a reason to stay that isn't just you. McKenna needs to build her own life, have her own purpose. She can't just be your girlfriend in your town working at yourfriend's business. She'll resent it eventually, and you'll both end up miserable."
She's right. I hate it, but she's right.
"She needs Havenwood to be hers," Jett continues. "Not yours.Hers.”
After we hang up, I sit in my truck for a long time, staring at the barn where I first kissed McKenna under the mistletoe, where I've been chasing her for years without ever actually asking her to stay.
You know you could stay, right?
We could figure it out together.
Vague offers. Safe suggestions. Never the actual words she needed to hear.
Stay. Build your life here. With me.
I pull out my phone and scroll to Lauren's number. If anyone knows what McKenna needs—what would make her want to build a life here—it's her co-teacher and friend. She answers on the second ring.
"Reece? Everything okay?"
"I need a favor," I say. "And I need you to not tell McKenna about it."
***
Thursday evening, I come home to find McKenna on the phone, pacing the length of my living room. She doesn't notice me at first, too focused on whatever conversation she's having.
"I appreciate you giving me time to think about it," she's saying, voice low.
"I know the board needs an answer...Yes, I understand they're being generous...Can I call you tomorrow?" She hangs up and turns, startling when she sees me in the doorway.
"Hey," she says too quickly, too bright. "How were the Flynns?"
"Fine." I set my keys on the counter, watching her carefully. "Who was that?"
"Just...nothing. Spam caller."
The lie sits between us, obvious and uncomfortable. She's never been good at lying to me—her tell is the way she won't quite meet my eyes, how her fingers fidget with whatever's in reach. Right now, it's the hem of her sweatshirt.
"McKenna—"
"I'm going to take a shower," she says, already moving toward the bathroom. "Long day." She disappears before I can stop her, and I'm left standing in the middle of my own house feeling like a stranger.
I pull out my phone and call Lauren back.
"How fast can you pull this together?"
Chapter 13
Reece
Friday morning, McKenna is quieter than ever. She makes coffee but doesn't drink it, as she scrolls through her phone with that faraway look in her eyes. I catch her staring at the mistletoe in the hallway like it represents something that happened to someone else.
"I need to run into town," I say, grabbing my jacket. "Want to come with?"
