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“Josie!” Leila hisses from behind me. She grabs my arm. “It’s meant to be!”
Satisfied by my reaction, Shelly’s face settles into a beaming grin. “See you at the reunion, Josie Wosie. I’ll bet it’s going to be full of surprises.” Then she makes her dramatic exit.
Not that anyone notices.
Leila is too busy filling Chessy in on the situation.
I’m still reeling over the revelation.
Logan and I have both got out of a relationship this week. That means we’re technically free game. And he’s going to be at the reunion.
“You have to go now!” Leila says, interrupting my thoughts. My heart picks up speed and I’m lightheaded as I blink at her with shock.
“Leila’s right,” Chessy says, batting her lashes and nodding at me. “The stars are aligning to get your true love back,” she says, her voice full of fervor.
I gulp. The idea that Logan could even be interested in me, or open to being in a relationship so soon after a breakup, is absurd. But maybe Leila was right this morning. Maybe I need to see him again to clear things up between us. For closure.
Maybe he’s also struggled to find the right person because of all the unsaid things between us. Chessy and Leila are living in a fantasy if they think I’ll fall right back into love with the guy, but maybe going to the high school reunion is my chance to settle things once and for all. So that I can move on. So we both can.
“All right,” I announce. My blood is effervescing in my veins as a bubble of excitement rises to my chest. “I’m going to the reunion.”
4
LOGAN
The drive to Snowdrop Valley passes by in a blur. I’ve done the trip from New York to the town so many times I can go on autopilot and let my mind wander. All I can think about is what’ll happen if Josie comes to the reunion.
Joe and May, her grandparents, still live in town. When I asked them if Josie was coming back, they seemed uncertain. I’m sure Josie would tell them if she was going to be there, so I guess she won’t be.
Part of me is irritated by how much I’m thinking about this. Who cares if my ex will be at the reunion or not? She might not even remember me. I mean, it’s been ten years.
Can I even remember her face? I still have pictures of her stowed away in a shoebox at the back of my closet, but she’ll be older now. I wonder if she’ll have any grays, or lines around her eyes from spending the last decade laughing.
Has she had her heart broken? Is she married with kids?
I don’t know how I can face her after all this time. And at this time. My retirement is going to be announced any day—Martin said he’d already replaced me, and it’s for the best—and I’ve just got out of yet another failed relationship.
I wish I hadn’t taken on the bet with Wyatt. Even in my drunken state, I should have known better. Now, I’ll have to talk to my old classmates, many of whom I’d rather never see again.
If Josie has moved on and is living her best life, I think I’ll fall to my knees and weep when I see her.
It’s not that I want her to be miserable. It’s just… My personal life is a complete mess right now, and I can’t bear the thought of her pitying me.
I pull into the drive of my parents' house and spot Wyatt working with his dad in the yard next door. He stops and waves as I turn off the ignition and climb out of the car.
“You’re early, the reunion isn’t until tomorrow,” Wyatt says.
I tap the roof of my car. “I’ve got to visit my dad. Fancy going out for a drink later?”
Wyatt nods, “Sure.”
My eyes land on the mature gentleman bent over with his back to me.
“Good to see you again, Mr. Croft.”
Wyatt’s dad looks up and drags a hand across his sweaty brow. The man is the hardest worker I know; he’s always got a tool in his hand and is either up on a ladder or crafting something on his wooden bench. Today, he’s pruning the old rose bush.
He looks at me with surprise, like he was zoned out while Wyatt and I were talking. “Hey there, Logan. Looking forward to seeing your old friends this weekend?”
