Page 54 of When We Were Young

“Oh, I’m not interested in him.”

Liar.

“But I do need to explain something.”

We head toward the bookstore.

“We went to college together,” I say. “We had... a thing going on back then. I don’t even know what you’d call it, but it didn’t end well. I’m not ready to tell the whole story yet, if that’s okay.”

“Of course. Just be careful. He’s a good guy, but he has the potential to break hearts.”

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I know.”

Georgie stops walking. “Hey, you all right? I didn’t mean to be harsh.”

I force a smile. “You weren’t. I promise. I’m good.” I walk again.

Georgie nudges me as we reach the storefront. “Well, that got heavy fast. Let’s fix it.”

We step into the bookstore. It’s cozy, and the cool air is welcome.

“Let’s find some book boyfriends to cheer you up.”

I laugh. “I’m fine.”

She tilts her head. “Really?”

“Really.” No, not really.

Chapter Twenty

Lizzie

“Screw you, jerk!”

I’m furious, and that fuels the rash decision I make to assault the booth that’s hanging halfway out of the dumpster behind my property. I already got two into it, so why this one is more difficult, I’m not sure.

Unfortunately, there are three more after this.

I’m pretty sure this might be how I die. Okay, I’m being overly dramatic.

As soon as my foot contacts the edge of the booth, I immediately regret it, and I scream in frustration.

“Are you okay?”

It’s a voice I would recognize anywhere. Smooth and deep.

I glance to my left and see Holden standing there, holding a clipboard with a frown and a look of concern on his face.

“I’m fine.”

Any sane person would hear the rage in my voice and keep walking. But not Holden Aron.

I turn my body to face him. He takes a few steps forward, and then he’s only about three feet from me.

“You sure? Because it looked like maybe you were losing the battle with this booth.”

Smartass.