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Chapter 31
EVIE
When I saw Rhett standing in front of me, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
It’s been so long since I last saw him, but at that moment it felt like the past six years were nothing but a wrinkle in time.
I was overwhelmed by everything he told me, especially after the shock I had from seeing him.
I texted Rhett yesterday and asked him to meet me at the same park where I met Dad. I’m hoping for the same outcome between Rhett and me, that I had with Dad.
With my hands tucked deep in the pockets of my coat, I walk into the park. As I near the lake, I see Rhett waiting for me. It’s an odd twist of fate. This time Rhett is the lost one, and I’m the one who thought what we shared had died.
“Rhett,” I whisper from behind him. He swings around, and our eyes lock.
“You came,” he says, sounding relieved.
“I did. I thought about what you said,” I say. “I don’t want you to feel bad for what happened. We were so young. Young and stupid. We thought we knew everything, and it turned out we understood nothing. Nothing about what life is like as an adult.”
I feel so sad as I whisper the next words, but they are true, and I can’t ignore them.
“We understood nothing about each other. I fell in love with the guy who saved me. It was so easy. But I never really knew the real you.”
Rhett glances to the side, and I hate that my words are hurting him.
“I understand,” he whispers.
“Do you? You have a tendency to jump to conclusions,” I say when I see the resigned look on his face.
“I thought you didn’t know me?” he can’t help but tease.
“Not as well as you should know someone you claim to love.”
“Claim to love?” he asks, and seeing the hope creep back into his eyes, I know I made the right decision.
“I’d like to catch up, Rhett. I’d like to hear about the past six years. I meant it when I said that I missed you. You were the first important person in my life. Because of you, I searched for my parents. Every important decision I’ve made is in some way connected to you. We were good friends, and at the very least, I’d like for us to get back to that.”
Rhett closes his eyes and relief relaxes is features. In some ways, he still looks like my Rhett, but in many ways, he’s become a man… a stranger.
His jaw is more pronounced, and there’s no sign of the boyish features I fell in love with.
When he opens his eyes, he holds out his hand to me. “No more bullshit. No secrets. I’d love it so fucking much to be your friend again.”
I place my hand in his, and we shake as I whisper, “It’s a deal.”
Rhett chuckles and suddenly yanks me forward. When I crash into his chest, his arms wrap around me.
He holds me tight, and whispers, “I’m sorry I broke my promise to you, Evie. The love I felt for you scared me so much.”
I nod against his chest. “The love I felt for you scared me too.”
He lets go of me so fast, I almost lose my balance.
“Wait here,” he says, and then I watch as he jogs away from me. He disappears behind some trees, leaving me to wonder what he’s up to.
“Excuse me,” he suddenly says behind me.
I swing around, wondering how he got behind me without me noticing.
