“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It makes more sense than he’s bored.”
“How about we agree to disagree.” Liv didn’t want to argue with Emma, especially not about Matt’s motives.
“Okay, I need to go anyway. Brian and I are going to the fair tonight. You’ll be there, right?” Emma helped herself to the half of the cinnamon roll she’d turned down moments ago.
Every year in mid-September, Orchard Harbor held a fair, which started on Friday night with an antique car show and ended on Sunday night with fireworks. Since today was Saturday, the festivities had kicked off with a 5K road race and a parade. Tonight would be the usual concert in the park. Throughout the three days, vendors sold a wide range of items, from jewelry to homemade soaps. Food trucks were always on hand, and the local dance school always performed. As far as Liv could recall, she’d never missed the event.
“I don’t know. I think I might skip.”
“Wrong answer. Besides, where else can you get a deep-fried Snickers?”
She did love the unusual treat, but that didn’t mean she felt like dealing with the crowds tonight.
“I’m not really in the mood to go.”
“Liv, we’ve been going together forever. This year isn’t going to be any different. Either you meet me and Brian there, or we’ll come to your apartment and drag you there.”
Emma wasn’t wrong. Plus, she wasn’t joking about coming to her apartment. If she didn’t agree to go, Emma and Brian would show up and refuse to leave until she left with them.
“Fine. I’ll go. Where do you want to meet?”
* * *
Liv intentionally arrived at the fair early so she could get in a little shopping before she met up with Emma and her boyfriend. And since the only place she’d ever found licorice-scented candles was at the fair, she made that vendor her first stop. After making several more purchases, including a pair of handmade earrings, Liv made her way toward the food area—a task made difficult because everyone she knew seemed to be between her and her final destination, the food truck selling gyros.
“I never looked at the newsletter. Do you know who’s performing tonight?” the woman in line behind her asked her companion.
Every year, the town sent out a newsletter that listed all the information about the fair. Since Liv came regardless of what was scheduled, she hadn’t opened it.
“Back Bay.”
The committee had tried to book Back Bay last year, but they’d already committed to an event, so Ultimate Survivor performed. While a good band, she much preferred Back Bay. Many people, including her, believed it was just a matter of time before the band made it big.
Food in hand, Liv headed toward the old library where she had agreed to meet Emma and Brian for the concert. Every other step she took, though, someone seemed to stop her. Some just wanted to say hello and catch up. Others, like Linda McCarthy, wanted the 411 on Liv and Matt’s relationship. Linda, like so many others, had seen the pictures earlier in the summer. While other people in Orchard Harbor might also be curious, most minded their own business. Not Linda. Tonight, to avoid answering, she’d claimed to be running late and unable to stand around and chitchat. Liv didn’t know if Linda believed her, but if she heard a rumor circulating tomorrow, she’d have her first suspect. Somehow, despite the crowd that was growing by the minute and the constant interruptions, she made it to the library before her friends.
“OMG. Jared just asked me to the homecoming dance,” a blonde, who Liv guessed was sixteen or seventeen, said to her friend with pink hair. The two of them sat in front of the former library, eating french fries.
“The goalie from the soccer team?
“Yes. What should I say?”
Liv remembered similar conversations with her friends. Clearly, the people changed, but the events remained the same.
“Are you really asking me that?”
Yup, some things never changed.
“Sorry we’re late. The line for barbecue moved super slowly, and then we ran into Isabella. You know what that’s like.” Emma said.
Oh yes, she knew.
“I think I saw Matt when we got here.”
“It’s a free world. He’s allowed to come.” Liv would never admit she’d scanned the crowd a few times since she got here, looking for him.
“You should go see him. I know deep down you want to.”
