“Are you still in Atlanta?”
“I am now. I was in the army for a few years, but I’ve been back for about six years now,” I said.
The silence that fell between us was awkward and heavy, and slightly disappointing. I knew it was unrealistic, but I had hoped for some magical reunion, where things would easily go back to how they were before. Too bad real life didn’t work that way.
Riley let out a small gasp and I followed his gaze to my wrist resting on the table. A slight lick of embarrassment went through me as I realized he was seeing my tattoo –ourtattoo. I didn’t explain it because I didn’t think I needed to. Out of anyone in my life, only Riley would understand the significance of the sketch inked into my skin. The two birds in flight looked so much like the ones he’d drawn so many times before, when we used to dream of flying away together.
I hated the pain I saw in his eyes, like my tattoo was confirmation of the pain he’d caused me. I wished I could tell him it was okay, but I couldn’t. Because it really hadn’t been. I silently begged him to tell me what happened, but he didn’t.
“You’re… taller, and um, you look good,” he mumbled, a beautiful red tint coloring his cheeks.
“You’ve changed, too. In a good way, though. You look amazing, Ry.” He visibly stiffened at my use of his old name. “Sorry, I forget. It’s Preston now.”
He couldn’t hide his discomfort, but he still didn’t explain. My heart hurt. What would have made this beautiful man change his name? I hoped it wasn’t anything painful.
“Are you okay?” I asked when I simply couldn’t take it anymore. I hoped he would get my meaning.
His response was honest, but quick. Too quick. “Yeah, I’m fine. Good, actually.”
“You’re finenow,you mean?”
He looked down, glancing at the watch on his wrist. “Shoot. I need to go. I’m supposed to meet a client in fifteen minutes, but can we meet back here at seven tonight? There’s a few food trucks not far from here in the evenings. We can get something to eat and walk along the pier and…” His words were falling from his lips in a rush, so I was quick to ease his worries.
“Seven is perfect, I’ll be here.”
He let out a relieved sigh and I quickly pulled him into my arms as soon as we stood. He slid his arms around me in a fierce hug. I dipped my nose to his hair and breathed in, surprised to find he still smelled slightly like apples. I thought it was the orchards on the Henrys’ property that had scented his hair when we were kids, but maybe it was just Riley. He was trembling slightly when we finally pulled apart and there were fresh tears in his eyes, which he quickly wiped away.
“You’ll be here? At seven?”
“I’ll be here,” I promised.
