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The mere sight of him makes me weak in the knees, and I struggle to get any words out. “Uh, hi… J-Josh.”
He grins at me, the same crooked smile that always used to make my heart flutter. “Hey, Erin.” His eyes flicker to my hands. “Looks like you’ve got good taste.”
“I hope so.” I try to not look awkward, but how does one even do that?
“Sam owns this place. You remember him?”
“From our class? Yeah.” I tug on my shirt.
He clears his throat. “It’s a surprise to see you. How are you?”
I manage a weak smile, feeling a little out of my element. I have no idea how to act around him anymore.
“Here you go.” The woman behind the counter hands me my latte and a pastry bag.
“Thanks.” I take them and step back.
Should I leave now? Continue this conversation?
Being this close to Josh has butterflies filling up my stomach, but I also remember the way he burned me that night at Fletcher’s Pond.
What reason do I have to believe that he’s changed at all?
Josh doesn’t seem to notice my discomfort, though. He leans forward on the counter, his eyes bright with curiosity. “What brings you back to town?”
I take a sip of my latte to buy myself some time. “Helping my parents with a project,” I say eventually. It’s not entirely a lie. Yes, I’m helping them, but it’s no one’s business that I’m doing it because my boss has ordered me to take a break from work.
Josh nods, seemingly accepting my answer. “Packing for their move?”
I’m not surprised he knows. There’s no such thing as privacy in a town this small.
“I’m surprised you’re here,” he goes on. “I saw your mom at the hardware store recently. She said you don’t really visit.”
It feels like a slap in the face. What is he insinuating? That I don’t care about my parents? That I think I’m too good for this town?
Well, he might be right about that last part.
But I play it cool as a cucumber, not letting him get to me.
“I’ve just been busy with work.” I force a smile. “But I thought it was about time I came back and visited for a bit.”
Josh nods, his eyes still on me. I squirm under his gaze.
“What about you?” I lift my chin. “What are you up to?”
He looks away and ruffles his hair. “Taking care of the ranch.”
I nod. I already knew that, of course, but I don’t want to admit to watching him this morning.
“So, how are your parents doing?” I change the subject, hoping to steer the conversation in a less tense direction.
“Good,” Josh replies shortly, still avoiding my gaze. “Mom’s been busy with the church bake sale.”
I nod, not really interested in the small-town news. I want to know what’s happening with him, but it’s easier to dance around the topic. The last time we saw each other, he both kissed and insulted me in the span of five minutes.
To say my feelings about him are complicated would be an understatement.
We stand in silence for a few moments, and I can feel the tension between us thickening. Josh clears his throat, breaking the silence.
