My move to California was in the works for months. I had plenty of time to leave and yet something always held me back. As though moving away from our home was a betrayal to Sierra. Something she’ll never get the chance to do. But if I’d known I was going to run into Zane again, I would have changed course much sooner. I would have veered left to avoid a collision.
God. A collision? What is wrong with me? It’s like I take great joy in misery. I should be focusing on the beauty of the world.The warmth of the late September sun. The sounds of the birds chirping high above the trees. The feel of the leaves as I brush past them or the crunch beneath my shoes. The amazing smells. God, the smells.
And the view.
I should be focused on the view.
I have so much to be grateful for, and instead I focus on what I’m missing. My old life. My old friends. Sierra.
Zane.
Not a day goes by that I don’t miss what I once had. And seeing Zane just about destroyed me again.
When I thought I was doing so well.
He has a way of reminding me of the girl I once was, and since she’s long gone, it’s a hard pill to swallow.
Taking another deep breath, I close my eyes as the breeze cools my cheeks, letting the rest of my senses help to clear my mind of the chaos.
Praying for a sign that it’s all going to be okay.
When I finally feel a small sense of relief, I open my eyes and jump.
“Jesus.” My hand flies to my chest as my heart races, my eyes locked on the smiling young woman standing before me. My brows pull together. Isshemy sign? Or is the universe trying to mock me?
Blinking a few times, I shake off my thoughts and wave. “Hi?” I question as she grimaces.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just…I’ve hiked these mountains so many times and you’re the first I’ve seen come up this high. I kind of got excited.”
A small smile tugs at my lips and I drop my hand, ever so slightly relaxing. “Sorry, I freaked out. I—” I cut myself off. I was about to tell her I’m new here, but isn’t that the start of a horror movie? After all, she did just say nobody comes up here.
“Don’t sweat it. It’s all good.” She brushes off my concern. “Do you come here often?” Light laughter fills the air as she shakes her head. “Wow, if that wasn’t the worst pickup line.”
Her smile has mine widening and I rush to reassure her. “I’ve been known to use that line before.Notto pick up.”
“Oh, but… never mind. Have you hiked here before?”
“I haven’t. This is my first time.”Shit. “But I’ve hiked a lot of other places.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s your favorite?”
Goddammit. I blow out a breath. “Please tell me you’re not a serial killer? I’ve been watching a lot of true crime lately, and this is exactly how an episode would begin.”
The woman bursts out laughing this time and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. “You’re adorable,” she says, scrunching her nose. “And no, I’m not a serial killer. I played one in a series once, but that’s as close as it comes.”
“You’re an actress?”
“I am. I’m surprised you didn’t guess.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” My cheeks heat with embarrassment. “I didn’t recognize you.”
“I didn’t mean that.” She laughs again and it has a softness to it that calms me. “I meant that a lot of people in LA are somehow involved in the movie business.”
“I’m not.”
“I can tell. I’m Jenna.” She holds out her hand for me to take, and I shake it with a comfortable grin.
“Hi, Jenna, I’m Blair.”
