Snow whipped against my cheeks and stung my eyes. I tugged my coat tighter around me and moved as quickly as I could.
Ten minutes later, I was finally stepping into the warm bar where laughter and music greeted me.
For a second, I just stood there, taking in the warmth as my bones thawed.
Then I spotted them.
When I made it to their table, Macey practically launched out of the booth.
“Hope!” She threw her arms around me and gave me a huge bear hug.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she said into my shoulder. “I’m going to cry. I’mliterallygoing to cry.”
“I’m so sorry I haven’t messaged you,” I said.
When she pulled back, her eyes were glossy. “It’s okay! I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Tyler also reached out and gave me a small side hug.
“It’s good to see you,” he said quietly. “Really.”
My throat tightened again, and I hated that I’d been such a horrible friend.
“Yeah,” I said, “You too.”
Macey shoved me into the booth beside her before I could overthink what was happening.
“You want something warm?” Macey asked. “Hot cocoa? Coke? Emotional support fries?”
“Hot chocolate,” I said easily.
“Yes,” Macey declared, waving down a server like she owned the place. “Hot chocolate for our missing woman.”
I flinched at the wording. But Macey didn’t seem to notice; she was quick to continue the conversation, filling what could’ve been an awkward moment.
For the first thirty minutes, it worked.
She told me about her most recent dating experience. Tyler told me about his classes. I laughed at the right places.
And then the easy topics ran out.
Soon they were both looking at me expectantly.
Macey, in particular, was giving me a look I couldn’t ignore.
“Okay,” I said, exhaling. “I’ll tell you.”
Macey’s whole body sagged with relief. “Thank you, I was going to explode.”
Tyler’s expression didn’t change, but his voice was careful. “You don’t have to explain what happened if you don’t want to.”
I nodded once. “I want to.”
So I started at the beginning. I told them about coming to Big Bear. I even told them about Pike. Then I told them about Jay, and how he hadn’t told me he knew my dad. I finished by explaining the dental board complaint and how we were trying to get his license suspended—or worse.
Saying it out loud felt strange. But I didn’t really see the point in hiding anything anymore. I’d left them in the dark for so long that it only felt right to give them the truth as an olive branch.
Macey’s eyes were huge by the time I finished. Tyler looked a little stunned.
