Page 74 of Lose You Twice

I remember too much.

The door behind us opens, and the moment breaks.

Weston comes out carrying a bag over one shoulder. “I have arrived with supplies and emotional support.”

Wren looks at the bag. “Is that yours?”

“No idea.”

“Comforting.”

Grayson appears behind him with the stick bags. “He took it because it was near his foot.”

“It felt assigned to me,” Weston says.

Donnelly’s voice booms from inside. “Cooper, if you stole someone’s gear bag again, I’m making you walk to Oregon.”

Weston freezes. “Again, feels a little harsh.”

Wren closes her eyes briefly, like she’s praying for patience.

When she opens them, she catches me looking.

This time, neither of us look away fast enough.

Her lips part slightly. Mine go dry.

There are people around us. Noise. Bags. A road trip to prep for. A storm coming in. Every reason in the world to look anywhere else.

I don’t.

Neither does she.

Then Grayson coughs.

Subtle as a car alarm.

Wren drops her gaze to the clipboard. “Right. Last bag?”

“Last bag,” Grayson confirms.

“Great.” She turns toward Donnelly. “If that’s everything, I have class in twenty minutes.”

Donnelly nods. “Go. Tomorrow, bus at one. Be here by twelve-fifteen.”

Wren pauses. “Tomorrow?”

The hallway seems to still. Donnelly looks at her over his glasses. “You’re on the travel list.”

Her face changes, and I can tell she wasn’t expecting to go on this trip. “I am?”

Donnley lifts a brow in her direction. “You’re equipment staff.”

“I know, I just…” She stops and adjusts the clipboard against her chest. “I didn’t realize I was traveling this weekend.”

“We need hands. Assistant manager has the flu, and the other student worker has a lab he can’t miss. Work-study approved the hours, so you’re up.”

Wren glances at me, then away. Nope, she hadn’t known.