Zane frowned. “The mayor of Deep River wants to talk to you?”
“Yeah. I’m guessing it will be another rant about Ward not doing his job as sheriff.”
Zane shook his head. “I can’t imagine having a town sheriff who doesn’t do his job.” Especially when they had such a damn good one here in Amber Ridge.
The problem was, no one had ever run against him, and the last election had been just before Ethan had gotten home, so he hadn’t had the chance to oppose Ward.
“Unfortunately for me, I don’t have to imagine,” Ethan said.
“I’m sorry.” Zane walked him out. “Thanks again for everything, Ethan. You’ve been a good friend these last few months.”
“Just these last few months?”
Zane chuckled. “I owe you. Anything you need, I’ll be there. I’ll even come to Deep River and search those mountains with you.”
“You could also come just for a visit.”
“To visit the black-and-white theater and the self-proclaimed psychic?”
“Hey, I hear Maureen accurately predicted Ward’s microwave lasagna starting a fire at the station.”
Zane scoffed. “That probably happens weekly.”
Ethan just grinned, because Zane was right.
“So…” he started. “Any more dates with that woman? What was her name? Nel?”
A muscle ticked in Ethan’s jaw.
Zane frowned as they stopped at his friend’s car. “What happened?”
“Nothing. I just…” He blew out a breath. “The day after our second date, I went to Bloom for coffee.”
The coffee shop was called The Wandering Bloom, but locals referred to it as Bloom. It was a combination coffee shop, bookstore, and florist. “And?”
“And…Polly was on the phone in the back. Her call was on speaker, and I heard…”
Shit. Ethan didn’t need to finish his sentence, because Zane knew. Polly had been best friends with Maggie in school, probably still was, even though Maggie didn’t live in the town anymore. And Maggie and Ethan had dated in high school. Hell, they’d datedafterschool too, and done long-distance for a while…until she’d broken up with him.
The breakup had shocked the hell out of everyone, including Ethan. They were one of those unbreakable couples that you just assumed were a forever kind of thing.
“You heard Maggie,” Zane finally said quietly.
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. “Her voice shouldn’t affect me so much. We broke up over a decade ago. I should be over her. But hearing her…dammit, I don’t know. It did something to me.”
“Maybe…”
Ethan frowned. “Maybe what?”
“Maybe she’ll return to Deep River.”
The reaction was subtle. A small flaring of Ethan’s eyes. A tiny twitch of his jaw. Then he shook his head. “No. Her aunt still lives there and she’s awful. Anyway, I should go. I’ll see you next time.” Ethan squeezed Zane’s shoulder before lowering into his car.
When Ethan was gone, Zane went back into the gym. Bonnie was the first person he saw. For a moment, she was theonlyperson he saw. And Zane was reminded of just how damn lucky he was. Not everyone got their happy ending with the person they loved. But he did.
CHAPTER 34
Why the fuck had he brought up Maggie? Jesus Christ. He’d been twenty-two when she’d broken up with him. That was eleven fucking years ago.
