The rest of the ride is quiet.When Kinzie pulls up outside her apartment, it’s as if I’m on autopilot as I climb out of the car.She rushes after me, handing me my purse.“Thanks,” I tell her.I wasn’t even worried about the things I left at the bar.I’d needed to leave, to get away from him before I—beforewemade a mistake.
Once inside her apartment, I plop down on the couch and pull my phone out of my purse.I need to text my sisters to let them know I’m not coming home.
Me: Staying at Kinzie’s tonight.
Leighton: Okay.Let us know you get in safely.
I smile.I can always depend on Leighton to be the quiet, responsible sister.
Courtlynn: Please tell me that’s code for your lady bits getting serviced?
Me: Nope.Just spending the night at my best friend’s house.
Courtlynn: Boo!
Leighton: Maybe she doesn’t need to be serviced?
Ha!If my little sisters only knew.I stopped trying to make that kind of connection with another man years ago.It’s been far longer than I care to admit since I’ve had my lady bits “serviced.”It’s never felt right.The connection was never there, so yeah, far too long.
Me: I love you.Goodnight.
Baylor: Tossing in a second vote for getting the lady bits serviced.
Shit.I accidentally sent the message to my group chat with all three of my sisters.My chest aches at the sight of Baylor’s name on the screen.I really miss her.
Me: Miss you, Bay.
Baylor: Maybe if there were more servicing, you wouldn’t notice as much.
She follows her message with a string of laughing emojis.
Me: I take it back.
Baylor: Ha!I miss you, too, big sister.
Tossing my phone onto the couch, I close my eyes and let the night replay in my mind.The way he breathed my name, as if it falling from his lips was painful and a relief at the same time.The heat in his gaze as he stepped closer and tossed me over his shoulder.The instant bolt of electricity that sparked inside me as my body pressed against his.
I put up a fight, but there was also a piece of me that was thrilled to have his hands on me in any capacity after all these years.
“Drink?”Kinzie asks.
“No, thanks.”I turn to look at my best friend and find her worried expression pointed toward me.“What?”
“You know what.”
“I’ll deal.”And I will.What choice do I have?He’s here with his family, where he needs to be, and I’m where I’ve always been.I need to learn to live in this town with him.I need to learn how to do that, knowing he’s no longer mine.
“Let’s be real, Ellie.You’re hurting.Yes, I know it’s hard for you to have him back in town.I also know you’re stubborn and will try to hold it all in.”She gives me a pointed look, and I shrug.She’s right, and we both know it.
“He’s been in town before,” I counter.
She nods.“He has, but not like this.He’s been here for short visits.Visits where he never ventured into town—at least that we know of.Now, suddenly, he’s here to stay.Staying at your family's property, running into you at the Hideaway.This won’t be the last time, Ellie.”
“I know, okay?I know.Tell me how to handle this.How do I forget what he meant to me?It’s been seventeen years, and still, he’s it for me.It’s pathetic and embarrassing.I was a kid.Wewere kids.I should be over him.Copeland moving home shouldn’t be a big deal.He’s a piece of my past.”
“It’s not pathetic or embarrassing.You don’t choose who you fall in love with, Ellison.Love just… is.Love challenges you, changes you in ways you never could have imagined.”
“Hold on, back up the cookie truck.Is there something you’re not telling me?”My best friend blushes.“Kinzie!”
