Page 73

“What do you mean here?”

Deviously, he says, “I’m at my mom’s shop right now.”

There’s no way. Life isn’t this kind to me. I just don’t believe it.

“You’re playing a mean joke, right? You’re kidding?” I ask skeptically.

“I’m definitely not kidding. Are you coming or what?”

He speaks with such confidence, I know he’s telling the truth.

I jump up, heading straight for my keys. I’m still not that comfortable behind the wheel, but I’d do anything for Sean.

“I’m on my way,” I squeal as I grab my boots and throw them on quickly. I feel my hair, trying to adjust my messy bun, but I don’t care enough to fix it. I just want to get to him.

My car is as cold as a freezer. I reach for the heater to get warmth hitting me as fast as possible. My car heats up quickly, but that’s about all it’s good at. It’s all I can afford from waiting tables, so I deal with it. A small sedan that can barely hold anything, but it does the job.

I quickly realize when I start driving down the street that I’m not wearing a jacket. I moved with such haste, I didn’t even think about it.

The road is soaked from the rainy morning, but the sun is peeking through the clouds. Its rays reflect off the puddles that haven’t dissipated yet, blinding me as I drive.

I pull into a parking spot right in front of Good Vintage. I jump out of my car and speed-walk to the front door. I peek through the window and see his mom moving some things around.

The shop is closed today, so I don’t know if I should try to walk in. I’ve only met his mom once—it might be awkward.

The store is decorated in red and green. There are old antique Santa Claus statues, and a beautiful big tree lights up the room with old ornaments that have small tags placed on them.

I reach for the door and it’s unlocked. I walk inside, and a gust of warmth hits my face. It smells like apple pie and there is Christmas music playing lightly in the background. A bell on the door jingles, causing his mom to look over at me, smiling.

“Hi!” she greets me.

“Hi, how are you?” I ask, glancing around casually.

Where is he?

Sean steps out of the back room holding a big red box. He has his typical smile spread across his face, completely lighting it up.

I grin so wide my cheeks hurt and find myself running toward him. He sets the box down, preparing for my greeting. Sometimes I don’t realize I’m doing something until it’s already done.

I leap into his arms, and he swings me around in a circle, his head buried in my neck.

He smells of sandalwood. Like comfort. This is the first time I’ve seen him in person with all of his hair buzzed off. It doesn’t look bad by any means, but I like his longer waves. I can’t believe it’s been four months since I’ve seen him.

I’ve almost forgotten that his mom was here and as soon as I realize, I loosen my arms around him.

He gently places me back down.

“Hey, you,” he says, his dimples shining.

My heart melts as he speaks. I thought I missed him before, but now that I’m standing with him, I had no idea just how much.

◆◆◆

Sean and I sit in my car, eating burgers from his favorite place in town: New City Burgers. My car is going to have the savory smell of meat for weeks after today, I can already tell.

I can’t stop laughing—my belly hurts. I haven’t felt this happy since before he left.

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed that silly laugh,” he says, beaming at me. “Like—do you realize how much I’ve missed you?”