Page 133 of When We Were Young

“I forgot the kites!” he says as he races past me and up the stairs to our home.

He’s fast, but not quite fast enough, and the oven timer goes off.

Shoot.

I rush over to the oven and check the Bundt cake. I can’t let it burn. It’s for family dinner tomorrow at Holden’s mom’s house.

“Bye, Mom!” Simon yells as he races out the door again.

In his excitement, he slams it behind him, startling me.

“Bye,” I call to no one as I open the oven.

If the Bundt cake tastes anything like it smells, it’ll be delicious.

“Perfect, if I do say so myself.”

After pulling it out of the oven, I place it on the island to cool.

I wipe my hands on my apron, then eye the last six cupcakes I need to frost.

“All right, almost done,” I say to myself.

I pop my earbuds in to listen to my audiobook as I work.

I pick up the extra bowl of frosting and smile as I stir it.

It’s just an old glass bowl—nothing fancy—but it was my grandmother’s, and I love using it because it always makes me think of her.

Movement catches my eye in my peripheral vision, and I instinctively turn, expecting Simon again.

That’s when I accidentally drop my beloved bowl, and it shatters into many pieces on the floor.

It’s also when I remember that I forgot to lock the door.

Chapter Forty-Five

Lizzie

“What are you doing here?” I take a few steps backward, increasing the distance between Landon and me.

“That’s rude, Liz. Aren’t you even going to say hello?”

Landon’s tone is pleasant, but I know him well enough to know it’s a facade.

“I want you to leave. Now.”

“Calm down. I’m just here to visit. To check out Aron Falls.” He looks around my kitchen as he talks.

“I’ve been looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.” He turns his gaze to me. “Maybe give small-town living a try.”

He shrugs like he doesn’t have a care in the world. As if he’s not an obsessed fool who has, once again, found out where I live.

“You wouldn’t fit in here, if that’s what you’re implying.” I hope I sound confident.

“Let’s go sit and talk.”

“No way. You’re not coming in here. Say whatever you have to say from where you’re at and then go.”