Evan's name on the screen.
Evan
I'm in Pinewood Falls. I brought Jocelyn. There are more bookstore events today, and she wanted to come. We don't want to interfere, but we'd love to support the show tonight if that's okay. I understand if it's not.
I stare at the words.
“I understand if it's not.”
He's here. Right now. In my town.
I'm typing.
When did you get here?
Delete it. Type something else.
Coffee shop. Main Street. 15 minutes.
His response is immediate.
I'll be there.
I look up at Emma.
“If you don't go to that man right now—” She's already shooing me toward the door.
“I need to?—”
“Go. I've got this.”
I duck into the bakery bathroom. Splash cold water on my face. Look at myself in the mirror—pale, wild-eyed.
I pinch my cheeks, trying to will some color into them.
“You can do this,” I whisper to my reflection. “He showed up. Now you show up.”
One more breath. Then I'm out the door, back into the cold.
I can hear my boots on the sidewalk. Each step too loud. A car passes. Someone calls out a greeting—I don't register who. The Christmas lights sway in the wind.
Every sense turned up too high.
My breath makes clouds in the cold air. Two blocks now. The coffee shop sign is visible ahead, the lights in the window warm against the December gray.
And standing in front of it?—
Evan.
Hands in his coat pockets. Looking down the street.
Looking for me.
He sees me.
He goes still and I stop walking.
Twenty feet of sidewalk between us.
