Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
I wince. “Really?”
“Really. Not even for Thanksgiving or holiday break.”
I curse. “I hate that for her. I told her it was okay the night we talked, and I meant it. If I’d known she was still messed up about it, I would have reached out to her again. I was weird about talking to Bad Dog people on the phone back then, but I could have written a postcard or an email or something.”
Theo studies me for a long beat, clearly confused, before he asks, “Why?”
“Why was it okay?” I ask, pushing on when he gives a tight nod. “Well, I mean, I wasn’t thrilled about it. You were my first love, my first kiss, my first…everything like that.” I shrug. “But I was the one who left, Theo. Without saying goodbye or honoring your wishes or even leaving a note telling you how much you meant to me.”
“And you blocked my calls,” he says softly.
“Yeah, I did. So, really, there was no reason for you to think I was coming back. Or that it wasn’t completely over. You were free to do whatever you wanted with other girls, including Greta. And I don’t know, I guess…” I trail off, trying to find the perfect words to ease his mind. “I guess, deep down, I knew it hadn’t been malicious. You were both my friends and some of the best people I knew. My gut said it wasn’t really about me. At least, not in a mean way. It was about me because I’d run away, and you were both sad and hurt about it.”
“And worried,” Theo adds softly. “I couldn’t sleep for weeks. I kept imagining you broken down on the side of the road in that shitty van with no one to help you. Or getting attacked on a trail while you were all alone.”
“I always carry bear spray,” I remind him.
“I wasn’t worried about bears,” he counters. “Women on trails are in more danger from men on trails and you know it.”
“Valid,” I say, thinking of my friends who’ve had some close calls with creepy hiker jerks. “There were times when things were scary. Times when I knew the only reason something terrible hadn’t happened to me was because I’d gotten lucky.” I pause for a beat, but I owe him the rest of the words in my heart. “But I never even thought about coming back, Theo. You were right to move on, whether it was two weeks after I’d left, or two years. It didn’t matter.”
“And you really don’t care that it was Greta?”
Throat tight, I nod. “I’m probably a weirdo, but I was actually glad. Sure, it hurt to think of you with someone else, but I knew Greta was a great person and…” I swallow, forcing the rest out in a raspy voice, “I knew if you two fell for each other that she’d love you the way I wanted you to be loved. With every piece of her heart.”
His eyes begin to shine, making it even harder to hold back the tears making the back of my nose burn. “I wanted the same for you. I never wanted you to be lonely.”
I nod. “I know. You wouldn’t. You’re too good.”
“Not as good as you,” he whispers. “If I’d found out you were fucking one of my best friends two weeks after you left, I would have wanted to tear his liver out and burn down the world.”
My lips hook up. “Yeah, well, it was different. I was the one who left. And all your best friends are also your relatives. It would be gross if I’d shacked up with one of your cousins.”
“Right. The story of my life.” He rolls his eyes. “I actually had a little thing for a woman not long ago. Sweet, funny girl. I thought we were hitting it off, but then she ended up falling for my cousin Christian.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I’m really glad you’re single.”
He grunts. “So am I. And it was just a crush, anyway. Nothing like this.”
“Like what?” I shift onto my knees, reaching out to brace my hands on his crossed knees. “What is this, Theo McGuire?”
His eyes darken. “This is the reason I’m here, Macy Mallard.”
Somehow, I know he means more than here in the cabin or out in the middle of a natural disaster. Somehow, I know he means the big “here.”
Here on earth, here in this human body, here in this life filled with so much hardship and pain, but also light and love and hope.
When I look at him, all I feel is hope.
I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him if I tried.
I lean in, lids sliding closed as my mouth drifts closer to his. We’re seconds away from our first kiss in fifteen years, when a moist snout suddenly shoves into the air between us.