“That seems to be the motto these days.”
“You grew up here. You know how it goes. You can’t fart in Ryemont without someone reporting it.”
“Mom, you said a rude word,” the smallest girl says.
“And look, the sky hasn’t fallen down on us.” Ana ruffles her hair.
I arch a brow.
“Look, I know you’re probably busy, but let me dump the kids at home with their dad and meet you at the coffee shop. We need to talk.”
“That’s also the town motto,” I murmur.
“I owe you a huge apology, and I’ve waited years to say my piece. The coffee and cake are on me.”
“If this is about Gwen, I already figured that out.”
“Please, Astrid. Ten, fifteen minutes of your time, and I won’t bug you again.”
Seán has already texted to say he’ll be late home, so I might as well hear what she has to say. Ana was never the type to accept “no.”
“Fine, but don’t make me regret this.”
“Go get your groceries, and I’ll meet you at Rumors Café in fifteen.”
I arrive before Ana and order a black coffee, taking a seat at a table by the window, stirring my drink as I watch the townsfolk rush around at the end of the day. I have missed Ryemont. I loved growing up here, and I never thought I’d settle in any place but my hometown. Being back here is surreal. In one way, it feels like I’ve never left. In another, it feels like it’s been longer than eight years since I was last here.
I can’t stop thinking about the things Darcy and Roni said. It’s completely puzzling. Why does Callan have pictures of me in his bedroom, and why did he say I was the one who got away? And following my Insta page for years—what is that all about? He said he never cheated, yet Darcy is clearly his biological child.
I’m so confused.
Nothing makes sense anymore, and I shouldn’t be preoccupied with Callan, but I can’t stop my thoughts from returning to him any time my mind wanders. Guilt is the new demon on my shoulder, reminding me I should be focused on my fiancé and not thinking anything about my ex. That’s theproblem when questions go unanswered. My brain will continue to torture me until I know the truth.
I think I need to speak to him, but how will I sell it to Seán without it causing another argument?
Ana rushes by the window, and I straighten up, wondering if I was crazy to agree to meet her. It’s not like we were ever friends, and I’m pretty sure I know what she’s going to say, but something compelled me to agree.
“Sorry I’m late.” She drops onto the seat across from me. “Myles, my husband, is basically like my fifth child. You’d swear I asked him to take the kids to the moon, not just make their dinner.” She rolls her eyes.
“You must’ve been young when you became a mom,” I say as the waitress comes over and takes Ana’s order.
“I was twenty when I had the twins.”
“Twins? Wow.”
“Tell me about it. Baptism by fire doesn’t even come close. Myles was running the tattoo shop I was working at when we met. We own it now, though I’m rarely there. Four kids under eight is a full-time job.”
“I’ll say, but you seem happy.”
“I am.” She smiles at the waitress when she deposits coffee and two muffins on the table. Ana puts a muffin on a plate and hands it to me. “I have you to thank for a lot of it.” Sincerity shines from her eyes. “Getting sent to Brattleboro saved my life. I was not in a good place, and I don’t know what would’ve happened to me if I hadn’t gotten the treatment I needed.”
“I’m glad it helped you, Ana. It’s great to see you doing so well.”
“I think you’re the nicest person on the planet, Astrid. I was a complete bitch to you in the past. You should hate my guts.”
“It was high school, Ana. I doubt any of us are the same people we were as kids. Besides, I have a feeling you were as much Gwen’s victim as I was.”
She slowly nods before lifting her mug to her lips.
