“Yeah.”
“What happened to your…friend?”
“She left.” I swallowed, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
“That’s too bad.” She tilted her head. “Wasn’t she a bit young for you? Looked like someone’s daughter.”
“She’s almost twenty and mature for her age.”
I had to laugh at myself, now using the same justifications Blair had used with me—that I’d ignored, always insisting she was still a teenager.
Langley rolled her eyes. “You know, all you men are the same.”
My eyes widened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only interested in one thing.”
“I’m not sure that’s any of your business. And you don’t need to lump all men together, either. Sometimes we just want companionship and chemistry. That doesn’t always come in the same boring, predictable, age-appropriate package.”
She grimaced. “Are you calling me boring?”
“Of course not. Just saying you shouldn’t be so quick to judge other people’s choices. My comment had nothing to do with you.”
She hung her head. “I’m sorry. You’re right. My ex left me for a younger woman, and I think I might be a little traumatized by that.”
I relaxed my shoulders and forced myself to take a breath. “Damn. I’m sorry. That certainly explains your reaction.”
Langley glanced back over at her parents. “I thought this vacation would do me good, but it’s only made me sadder. I have so many great memories here. And seeingyou… It really brought a lot of them to the forefront.” She looked down. “Those days are gone. I know that. But my time here reminds me that I’ve wasted so many years of my life.”
While I felt bad for her, I didn’t have the headspace to handle this conversation properly right now. But before I could apologize and say goodbye, she continued.
“And I guess I was a little let down that you weren’t interested in me.”
I nodded, trying to be sympathetic. “Don’t take it personally. Please.”
She shrugged. “Okay.”
“Look, I have to run…” I told her. “Keep your head up. Things will get better in time. You just need to ride out the storm.”
I wasn’t sure I believed my own advice, but I figured I’d try to leave her on a positive note, even if it was bullshit. I did wish her the best.
“Take care, Langley.”
“Bye,” she murmured as I walked away.
Back upstairs, I sat on the edge of my bed and forced myself to eat the bagel. I hadn’t even gotten coffee. I knew my head wasn’t screwed on straight if I’d forgotten something I was usually addicted to.Addicted. That’s how I felt right now. Like I was having withdrawals from Blair.
What a depressing fucking day this was going to be. I wondered if I should just check out early myself, since every damn corner of this place would now remind me of Blair—all the things we did and all the things wedidn’tdo.
My cell phone rang, and my heart leaped until I remembered Blair never had my number. It was my mother.
“Hey, Mom,” I droned.
“Hi, honey. You still at Midnight Key?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “For now. I was supposed to be here until tomorrow, but now I’m not so sure. Might take off early.”
“Why is that?”
