“No, tell Carl to help him!” I say, meaning it.
“Fine,” I hear Carl grumble his way onto the screen as he crosses my yard.
I add quietly, “And maybe tell him I’m not coming back.”
My sister flips the phone around so I can see the concern acrossher face, “Ever?”
“Just not anytime soon and…not for him. I’m not coming back because he showed up back there.”
“Got it,” She nods. Then she laughs at something I can’t see. She explains, “Carl just got it all started and then walked away. I think Aiden thought he was tagging in.”
At the horribly loud motor sound, I tell my sister I have to go. My eyes sting as I tuck my phone away. The little coffee shop I’m sitting in feels foreign and empty now. Not that I want to go back to Juniper Falls. Butwow,I miss everyone.
I miss him.
So, I’m all too happy to distract myself with my new routine. I wake up after sleeping like the dead, usually 12 hours a night, like my body is catching up from the last decade. I make myself some coffee and then drive to a trendy spot for breakfast. All day, I do my scouting. It’s crazy how many bakeries are hiring and how many little cafes are for sale. All along the east coast I’ve found job postings and lease availability.
Today it’s the same in Virginia Beach. But my day is interrupted again and again with texts. Photos of the Aiden Vanderwell mowing my Dad’s lawn. I can’t help but smile. I laugh at Steven taking a selfie with a thumbs up in front of the yard like one would in front of an exhibit at the zoo. A group photo comes through with Aiden in the background. Instead of looking at the ground, he’s looking into the camera. I expect him to be scowling or smirking but he’s just staring at the camera with…longing?
It doesn’t make any sense.
He left!
What is he even doing!
I put my phone on DND and make my way through my planned stops, asking questions and taking notes. I like Virgina Beach. It’s not the one, but I do like it.
When I finally make it back to my Airbnb, I get my phone back out. More photos. Aiden tackling the back yard. Stuart galloping through the flowerbeds. Aiden pointing at Stuart like he’s saying sit while my dog—his dog—stares up looking guilty as ever. I delete them all.
Aiden…shirtless.Okay, not deleting this one.
I shake my head as I pull out some ingredients for dinner.
Again, seriously, what is he even doing?
I start to stew over it, getting angry. He left. He hasn’t texted me in a month. Hasn’t called. Nothing. Then he shows up and mows my dad’s yard? What. The. Hell!
I finally get out my phone.
Harper: I thought I told you never to come back.
My stomach flips as the three dots pop up right away.
Aiden: I never agreed to your terms.
“Ughhhhh!” I growl into the silence of the little apartment.
Harper: I am not coming back there.
Aiden: Good.
Good?Good?What does that mean? I decide to end this.
Harper: Thanks for taking care of that.
Aiden: You’re welcome.
Well, I might as well bother him a little bit.
