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“If he did, I think Ivy would have snatched him up by now.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
Julia was with me when I met Parker nearly two years ago. She had pulled me out to a party neither of us had any business being at. It was across town at Columbia University. I tried to talk her into going elsewhere, but she wasn’t having it. She won by getting me to go and I won by drinking my body weight in alcohol. By the time that I ended up next to the blue-eyed beauty, I was drunk enough to make fun of his pretentious looking outfit; just before I spilled my drink all down the front of him. It was an encounter that should have been caught on film, but I’m more than glad it wasn’t. I sputtered hundreds of apologies while he just gazed at me like I placed the stars in the sky.
Having only the fact that I was wearing an NYU sweatshirt to go off of, he spent weeks trying to find me in the overly populated city. It wasn’t until he ran into Julia at another party that he managed to get my phone number. After numerous attempts at asking me out and a long lecture from my best friend, Ivy, about the importance of giving someone else a chance, I finally agreed to a date – my first in almost two years at that point.
To say things have been smooth sailing from there would be a lie. With my trust issues and tendency to push people away for the sake of self-preservation, he’s had to do more than his fair share to make our relationship work, but he’s never faltered. At this point, I’m not sure anything could scare him away, and he proved as much when he got down on one knee after graduation. He had this look in his eyes that provided a sense of security when I needed it the most. That, paired with his promise to love me for the rest of our lives, had me saying yes without giving it any more consideration. After all, that’s what I’ve been longing for isn’t it – someone to love me with everything they have?
“I’m still shocked he convinced you into moving back home.” Julia remarks, propped up on her elbow.
I place the box on the floor and sit beside her. “Well, what was I supposed to say? No, we can’t because I’ve been avoiding my ex for close to half a decade?”
“No, but you could have suggested getting a place in Boston.”
My head shakes rapidly. “I’ve lived in a city for far too long. I’m over it. I could use some small town living back in my life. Besides, his time is going to be consumed by med school. It’ll be nice having friends and family around.”
“And if you see C-”
“I don’t want to think about it.”
“McKenna.” She says my name as a warning. “The likelihood of you running into him is almost a guarantee. You need to be prepared for it.”
“I know and I am, sort of. I’m just going to wing it. It’s been years and I’m engaged now. What’s the worst that could happen?”
She gives me a look that tells me everything she wants to say, but thankfully keeps her comments to herself.
After saying goodbye to the people I’ve grown to depend on, Julia being the hardest to handle, I follow my fiancé down to the truck. The back is loaded up with boxes of our belongings and the gas tank is filled in preparation for the five and a half hour drive we have ahead of us. Tears build in my eyes as we pull away from the building. I try to quickly wipe them way but Parker notices. He reaches over and places a comforting hand on my thigh. It’s just the right amount to show me he’s here if I need him, but gives me the space to make that decision on my own.
THE RIDE IS SPENT listening to music, making jokes about passing cars, and just enjoying our time together. One thing I’ve always admired about him is his ability to make me laugh, even if it takes making an utter fool of himself to do so. I’m leaning back with my feet on the dashboard when a familiar sign catches my eye.
Welcome to Rockport
A Seacoast Village on Cape Ann
My heart starts to race as I realized I’m back in my hometown for the first time in four years. Everything looks just like I remember it – the ice cream store I’ve walked to with my closest friends, the boats that fill the docks, the buildings that could almost be considered historic landmarks by now. I find comfort in the way everything hasn’t been torn down and rebuilt to become something fancier. This is the town I’ve loved since I was young.
Pulling into my parents’ driveway, I watch as my mother stands from seat on the porch. Her eyes light up as we park the truck and climb out. I barely have a moment to admire the house I grew up in before she’s tugging me into her arms.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
“Mom.” I chuckle. “You just saw me last week.”
“Nonsense. You’re my baby girl. Any time away from you is too much.” She releases me from her tight hold, only to say hello to my fiancé. “Parker, it’s nice to see you again.”
“You as well, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Please, we’ve gone over this. Call me Marissa.”
“Right. My apologies.”
He must be able to sense my hesitation because he takes my hand in his as we follow my mother inside. The house looks exactly the same, with the exception of the new couch that occupies the living room. Pictures of my older brother and I hang all over the walls, making it obvious that a family lives here to anyone that enters. I must admit, I’ve missed the feeling of being home.
“Hello Sweetheart.” My father greets me as he walks down the hallway.
“Hi Dad.”
A small frown graces my mom’s face before she masks it with a smile. Instead of acknowledging the elephant in the room, I ask for a glass of her homemade iced tea and excuse myself to my room. Parker follows me up the stairs and through the familiar door. Everything is just as I left it. Even the hairbrush I forgot to pack lies perfectly in the middle of my dresser. Not a single thing has been moved.
