I’m angry at myself for not knowing how much Evie was struggling, for not being there in the ways I should have. But then I remember that she didn’t want me to feel responsible for her, not like I have for everyone else in my life.
And it hits me that she wasn’t just giving me permission to let go. She was giving me permission to live.
But how? How do you go from just surviving to living? How do I just start living the life I should have been living all this time?
And what now? I’ve been running away from everything. From my life, from the job that drained me, from the heartbreaks that left me jaded. I’ve been traveling, but for what? To find what exactly? I don’t have answers. I don’t even know where to begin.
And then I think of Finn. And how wild that night was, how he made me feel alive in a way I haven’t felt in… ever. But it wasn’t real. He was a distraction. He was never supposed to be the answer.
And Zane.
Zane was nothing but sweet to me. So patient. So calm. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t push, doesn’t try to fix everything, but makes you feel safe anyway. And that… I don't know what to do with that.
I wipe my eyes and take a deep breath, pushing past the flood of emotions. Evie would never want me to get stuck in grief. I’m here for a reason, and maybe it’s time to start finding out what that is. I’ll start by seeing more of the town. Really seeing it, like she wanted me to.
I fold the letter carefully, tucking it away in my bag.
I don’t know what’s next. But I do know that I’m going to figure it out. And I’m going to do it for me. For Evie. For the woman who spent her life taking care of others, and in the end, reminded me to take care of myself.
I need to clear my head.
The only way I know to do that is to get some fresh air. I grab my jacket, pull on my boots, and step outside. The cool breeze hits my face, almost enough to shake me out of my thoughts. The town is quiet, but there’s a softness to it. The streets are lined with small houses, the mountains framing everything like they’re watching over it.
I walk down the main street, hoping the rhythm of my footsteps will help me figure out what to do with everything I’m feeling right now. I know I need to make a decision. I can’t just keep running. But running feels safe. Running keeps me from facing whatever I’m really afraid of.
As I’m walking, I hear the rumble of a motorcycle, and before I can even look up, I hear a loud, overly enthusiastic voice.
“Aurora!”
I freeze. Of course. I shouldn’t be surprised. Finn. What a whirlwind.
I look up just in time to see him pull into view, the sun catching the glint of his bike. He’s grinning like a madman, sunglasses perched on his nose, a carefree look about him that makes me feel both at ease and a little rattled. He parks the bike right in front of me, pushing up his sunglasses with the crook of his finger as he swings his leg over.
Goddamn, hesuitsa bike…
“Didn’t expect to see you out here,” he says, the flirty lilt in his voice unmistakable. “Wandering around on your own? Don’t you know this town’s got a reputation for getting into people’s business?”
I laugh despite myself, shaking my head. “I’m just trying to clear my head. Didn’t realize I was being so obvious.”
“Oh, you’re not obvious. I’m just really good at picking up on anything that stands out. And you stand out.” He flashes me a grin that makes my pulse do a little skip.
“Finn,” I say, trying not to smile, but failing. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” he says, with a wink. “But… since I’m already here, how about I take you for a coffee? Maybe a little cake? I think you deserve it after all that thinking you’ve been doing.”
It’s almost impossible to say no to him. His energy is contagious, and it feels like maybe it’s okay to just relax. To stop thinking for a minute. I nod before I even realize I’ve made the decision.
“Fine. Coffee and cake sound good,” I say, and I’m not sure if I’m saying it because I need the distraction or because his presence is already making everything feel a little less intense.
Finn’s grin widens, clearly pleased with himself. “Good choice. I know just the place.”
We walk side by side, talking easily as we make our way toward the bakery. Finn’s chatter is lighthearted, full of jokes and stories that keep me laughing in spite of everything swirling inside me. It feels good to just… laugh.
As we approach the little bakery, I catch the faint scent of cinnamon and sugar. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now. Finn opens the door for me, and I walk in with him close behind, the warmth from the oven hitting me immediately.
“You’re going to love this place,” Finn says, as we both stand in front of the display case.
The glass is full of rich cakes, flaky pastries, and golden croissants. I can already tell this is one of those bakeries wherethe food practically calls out to you. It’s cozy, homey, and the people behind the counter seem to know Finn well.
