He was a magnetic force, pulling everything into his orbit. The explosion of butterflies in my stomach intrigued me, as did the heightened awareness I felt in his presence. His interest—and by mine—was tangible.
Over the next several weeks, Calum took me to all the spots he felt I should see. It was my first time living on the east coast, and out of all the places we’d ever lived, I felt a connection tothisone—to him.
It took no time at all to realize being with him felt like being home, which was a feeling I was unaccustomed to having. One that I could allot myself, given that it was myfinalyear of high school. After high school, I’d get to choose where I’d go next, and there was a power in that.
Our carefree summer romance spiraled into something more serious than either of us had intended. He was romantic, spontaneous, and a little wild. He pulled me out and mademewild; he encouraged me to try things I normally wouldn’t have dared, like sneaking out of the house when my parents were sleeping, just to be with him.
For once, I felt like I was living myownfairytale; the kind of romance I’d only ever read about—one filled with laughter, sweet kisses, and adventure.
He introduced me to two of his best friends, Dare and Evan, and they took me under their wing, instantly drawing me into their group and accepting me as one of their own.
I joined them when they traveled to other local towns to play at other park music festivals. We saw a lot of Nova Scotia that summer. We traveled around in Dare’s mom’s minivan, with the band gear loaded in the back, playing at different pubs and events.
But I didn’t know how popular he was until the last week of summer, when they played at the end of summer bash back in Lunenburg.
It shouldn’t have surprised me as much as it did, but the time I got to spend with Calum alone showed me a different side to him. By then…it was too late. He’d shown enough of his true self to me for me to fall completely head over heels.
Before me, he was the brooding musician, the ultimate bad boy player thateverygirl wanted to tame, but none had. When his bright, piercing cobalt eyes landed on me—I became his center, his muse, his focus, and he became my entire world.
But being the new girl and showing up on the arm of Calum Jacobs on the first day of school hadn’t exactly put me in good standing with the girls there. The girls in the group were sickeningly sweet to my face—at least in front of Cal and his friends.
They’d share the sordid stories of his playboy antics behind his back, but by that point, I had already learned that he was more than his reputation.
He gave more of himself to me than he’d ever given anyone else before. He was honest about his previous relationships and flings, and he never gave me a reason to think he was anything but committed to me. With every glance and every touch,I felt it.
We had something, and I had believed it was forever. His sudden departure from my life destroyed me. It was a goodbye I’d never planned on. To this day, I still didn’t understand how he could go from searching for apartments with me near the university to boarding a plane to a whole new life—one without me.
Irritated that I was thinking about him at all, I forced him from my mind as I strolled up to the counter with renewed purpose. There was no use in dredging up the past, not when today was already here, not when the air was crisp with potential.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the cardboard cup from her gratefully. I sipped at it, the flavor bursting on my tongue and reminding me just whyBooks and Brewswas one of the top places in Mahone Bay for coffee. “Did my book order come yet?”
“Not yet,” Ellery’s nose wrinkled apologetically. She knew how excited I was for it. With this shipment, I’d ordered a box of my favourite indie author’s latest novel ahead of schedule for her release next week—a perk of one of my small side projects,Books, Brews, and Reviews.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” I frowned. “Well, I’m sure it’ll arrive at some point today. It gives me some time to sort out the mess that is in our inventory.”
Ellery shivered. “I’m glad you handle that portion of this gig,” she admitted with a light laugh.
“Well,I’mglad you open—and close.” I retorted with an arched brow, pausing to take a sip.
“Yeah…still think I have it easier.” Ellery chuckled and leaned against the counter. She leveled a no-nonsense look at me, her pale green eyes wide and probing. “So, enough stalling. How did the date go?” she asked, her smile hopeful.
Mysmile slipped away, and I sighed. “Not very well. His favourite subject was himself, and he couldn’t stop talking long enough to askmeany personal questions.”
“Oh no.” Ellery said with a huff of exasperation. Last night’s blind date was set up by her and her serious boyfriend, Grant, with one of his teammates. “I really thought you guys would hit it off. Steve’s not usually like that. Maybe he was nervous?”
“Maybe,” I shrugged, eyes flitting away. Nervous or not—there hadn’t been anything there; not so much as flicker. From the moment Steve sauntered up to the restaurant table, I’d longed to leave, but I hadn’t wanted to be rude, so I stuck it out.
Despite his penchant for talking about himself and hockey and not much else, Steve was attractive. He was classically handsome, and well-dressed, too. But even the goodnight kiss was wrong. It fell flat; felt rehearsed. It just…painfully lacked in every way.
We didn’t jive, and I didn’twantto. The whole encounter had left a poor taste in my mouth and reminded me exactly why I didn’t spend what limited spare time I had dating.
Ellery sent a sympathetic glance my way and pushed away from the counter, reaching for a wax paper. “Don’t you miss sex?”
“Of course, I do,” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder to make sure none of the early bird customers had heard. They were focused on their devices or newspapers in front of them and appeared unaware of the widely inappropriate conversation Ellery was trying to back me into. I couldn’t say the same for our barista, who was watching with wide-eyed interest. I lowered my voice. “I just don’t care for meaningless encounters with people I feel no attraction to.”
“Some would argue that a one-night stand is empowering.” Ellery cocked a brow. She smirked at the look on my face as she moved to the display, her back to me. “But if the attraction isn’t there, it isn’t there. I’ll let him down easy,” she amended, picking up a fresh banana muffin from behind the glass display.
“Thanks,” I said as she moved back to the till and held out the paper bag to me. Before I could grab it, she pulled her hand back.
