Page 60 of Old Flames

“It belonged to my mother. A pack a day.”

“I see,” he said quietly.

“It once belonged to my father,” she continued. “My mother stole it from him.”

Leo clutched it tighter, now that he understood how much it meant to her.

She stepped closer. “It triggered your memory, I guess.”

“What?”

“The lighter. Last night in the tower. I caught you staring at it.”

He didn’t need a visual aid to trigger anything. That would imply that he’d forgotten. That face, those eyes, their brief conversation, the exact words they’d exchanged, all the details that had haunted him for years.

“I never forgot you, July,” he said. “Never.”

“It’s okay, Leo!” Her laughter dissipated in the wind. “I was a waitress on a break, someone to chat with. No one special.”

“Not to me,” he insisted.

“Well . . .” She looked away. “That’s sweet.”

“I’m not here to sweet-talk you,” he said. “I have something to say.”

“So do I,” she said. “I’m sorry. I was rude to you.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said, sensing they were drifting toward goodbye.

She stepped up to him and cradled his face between her delicate hands. Leo closed his eyes and listened to the ocean lapping against the pier and her rolling breath.

“One day I’ll be that type of person who can enjoy a weekend in the sun with a really great guy. But it’s clear that I haven’t hit that milestone yet. I still have work to do, and I don’t know how long that will take.”

Then she slipped her hand in his, took the light, and left.

Part II

Interstitial

Voicemail

Contact: Evan Anderson, Charleston, SC

03/26/26

Major change of plans. Our pipes burst last night. We’ve got to postpone your visit a month or so. You won’t believe the mess. We’re camping in the yard. Maybe the ghost is to blame, or the century-old plumbing. Who knows? Anyway, give me a call.

Date: March 26, 2026

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Ms. Jones:

The tile shipment is delayed 3 days. The backordered appliances are set to arrive by Friday. Factor time for installation and the job will be complete by April 2.

Thank you for your patience.