We were the same height now. “Right about the time you left.”
There was sorrow in his eyes, mixed with something bittersweet. Not a single part of me expected an apology. At the end of the day, Donovan had to do what was right for him, and if that was escaping the city and the memories of his and Heidi’s past, then so be it. I wasn’t one to hold a grudge.
“How are you?” he rasped, tucking his hands in his coat pockets.
“I’m good.” I gestured back at MacGregor’s exit door. “I was having lunch with my friends when I thought I saw you. Chased you down to make sure I wasn’t seeing a mirage.”
He cracked a rare grin I hadn’t seen in years. “I’m surprised you spotted me.”
He used to be the closest thing I’d had to a brother. I hoped he remembered that. “You’re family, Don. I’ll always spot you in a crowd full of people.”
He reached forward to ruffle my hair the way he did when I was young. It brought back old memories of whenever I finished playing a game and he took me to a pizza parlour for my post-football treat.
“How are you?” Last I remembered, he left Montardor about five years ago. “What are you doing here?”
A muscle in Donovan’s jaw ticked. “Had some business with Mac.”
“Oh.” I shoved my own hands in my pockets. “What kind?”
“He’s getting old, wants to sell this joint, and I’m buying it off of him.”
“Wow. Congratulations.” MacGregor was one of the oldest Irish pubs in the city, with a long history and a loyal clientele. It was a smart and interesting move. “Does this mean you’re back in the city?”
I didn’t ask him where he’d been. If he wanted to reveal that tidbit, he would himself.
“Not exactly.” He relaxed against his car and chin-nodded at the establishment. “Mac is still going to manage it until he’s ready to retire and I’ll be hands-off. Plus, I have other business to take care of.”
Business that wasn’t here, was what he meant to say.
Donovan looked like he wanted to say something else but was fighting against it. His jaw clenched. His fingers combed frustratedly through his hair. Eventually, he sighed. “How is she?”
In that instant, all I felt was sadness for both of them. He couldn’t say Heidi’s name and she never said Donovan’s either. Not since he left.
“She’s fine.” I hesitated, then bit the bullet. “Still thinks about you.”
Raw pain burst over his features.
Hearing those words surprised him. Did he really expect Heidi to forget he ever existed? It was evident that he hadn’t forgotten her either.
Donovan swallowed roughly and shutters fell over his expression, rendering him a blank slate. He squeezed my shoulder in farewell. “It was nice seeing you, Hunt. Take care of yourself.”
I hoped it wasn’t the last time I saw him. “You too, Don.”
“Do me a favour?” he asked as he opened his car’s door.
“Anything.”
“You didn’t see me. As far as anyone is concerned, I was never here.”
Meaning he didn’t want Heidi or Jaden to know.
I respected his choice. “Understood.”
We said goodbye and he drove away. Though despondency lingered, for the most part I was happy that I got to see Donovan again, even if it was under these circumstances.
On my way back into the pub, goosebumps erupted over the exposed skin of my forearms and an odd sensation slithered down my spine.
I turned my head to eye the busy street.
