“You?” he asks.
“No, you big dummy. The online directory and those glaring signs they put up around the library.”
He rolls his lips together, trying to hold back a smile. “Right. Of course. How silly of me.”
“You’ll find the book you were looking for. Somehigh fantasy with dragons and distant realms. But they use big words in those books, and now you need a dictionary.”
He chuckles.
“You’ll find me in the reference section. We both reach for the same book. Our fingers brush ever so slightly, and our gazes lock. It feels like fate or destiny.”
“A love story brought to you by Merriam-Webster,” he deadpans.
I trace the lines of the butterfly tattoo on his chest, then walk my fingers higher to punctuate the last three words. “And they lived happily ever after.”
“You’re ridiculous,” he murmurs. “Come up here so I can kiss you.”
Jaxon
“Are you sure this looks ok?” I stare at my reflection and adjust the collar on my black button-down for the third time in as many minutes, then run my fingers through my hair for good measure.
Callie stands from the bed and wraps her arms around me from behind. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
I slide my hands over hers and hold her there, letting her comfort flow through me. “I have to do this on my own.”
Too soon, her hands drop away, giving me enough room to turn and pull her against my chest. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have the strength to do this if it weren’t for you.”
I can see the denial on the tip of her tongue, so I press my finger against her lips, then replace it with my mouth. She melts into me, and my chest aches with the weight of those three words I’m too scared to say aloud.
“I should go.”
She pops onto her toes and plants a chaste kiss on my cheek. “Text me if you need me.”
I pull up to Ryan’s family farm and park next to Ben’s truck—the one with the Catalano’s logo on the door. My grip tightens on the steering wheel. What am I doing here? I should’ve at least brought flowers or something.
I step out of my truck and scan my surroundings. Not much has changed in the last thirteen years. Phil’s broken-down tractor is still in the same spot as it’s always been, and I can just make out Ryan’s treehouse in the distance, where we’d hide away from his little sister, Catherine.
I slip my hands into my pockets and walk up the gravel drive toward the Morrison house for the first time in more than a decade. I can’t even recall the last time I was here. Those memories all blur together now.
“Didn’t think you’d actually show up.” Ben pushes away from the brick, his arms crossed over his chest. He’s dressed in his usual flannel and denim, like he just got off work.
“Yeah, well. Guess there’s a first time for everything.”
He jerks his head to the side gate. “Come on. Everyone’s already around back.”
The backyard is lit with paper lanterns and string lights as the sun dips below the distant horizon. Drinks are flowing, and I recognize many faces from a life I left behind.
Tripp is here with his wife and newborn baby, standing in a semi-circle chatting with Mo. I lock eyes with my ex-girlfriend—the one who broke up with me the day of the accident because she was in love with my best friend. Did she ever getthe chance to tell him? She gives me a stiff smile and turns back to the conversation.
There’s a large wooden table set up in the yard, with candles, flowers, and framed photos. I’m featured in damn near every one from the age of five until the very end. Copper and Maverick are there, too. My throat closes up as my eyes catch on the very same one I have on my shelf back home. It was taken two days before the accident that stole Ryan’s life.
Someone taps their glass, drawing the attention of everyone gathered. I follow their line of sight to the raised part of the deck where Ryan’s mom, Marie, is standing beside her husband, Phil, and Ryan’s baby sister, Catherine. Only, she’s not a baby anymore. She’s a fully grown woman, and she’s staring daggers at Ben.
“What’s that all about?” I ask.
He shrugs, and his eyes dart to the side as he brings a beer to his lips.
“Thank you all so much for coming. It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for thirteen years. It seems like just yesterday that we were gathering here to celebrate his first birthday and all the birthdays that came after. Ryan was a wonderful son, a loving big brother, and an even more cherished friend.” Marie’s eyes meet mine, and a line of tears forms along her lashes. She dabs at them with a tissue before continuing. “He’d be honored to know you’re here. To see the lives you’ve built for yourselves and everything you’ve accomplished in the time he’s been gone.”
