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Brooke’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “I bet it is.”
“Ugh, stop playing matchmaker. Just because you crush on someone when you’re a kid, doesn’t mean you like them when you grow up. Crushes fade.” Even if I felt that draw to him, nothing could happen. He was still my brother’s best friend, and he had his child to worry about. Ryan didn’t have time for a relationship with me, and if something happened between us, it could erode the trust I was trying to earn from Corey.
“I don’t know,” she singsonged, a knowing smile on her face.
“Besides, he’s not the kind of guy I see in my future. Corey’s mother lives in Texas. If Corey moves back, he might follow.” I’d never hedge my bets on someone who could leave. I wanted someone who had staying power, and Ryan wasn’t that guy.
Brooke fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist. “He opened a business here. It seems permanent to me.”
“You know how precarious opening a new business is. It could fail.”
“That’s true.” Brooke’s shoulders lowered.
I hated that I’d reminded her of her business worries. I needed my mind off Ryan and hers off this new business. “We should go out.”
“Girls’ night,” we said simultaneously, and then laughed.
“It’s been too long,” Brooke agreed.
“Everyone’s so consumed with their businesses.” Our friends were starting to pair off with significant others, too.
“Let’s see who we can round up for the weekend,” Brooke said, pulling out her phone.
I settled back into the couch, content to be with my friend. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear, I loved this town and my friends. Guys might come and go, but my friends were constant. I could always count on them.
* * *
The next night, Corey stopped by at his usual time after school to work. I unlocked the apartment for him, waited until he had the paint set up, and then turned to go.
“Wait,” Corey said.
“Is everything okay?” I turned to face him, worry shooting through me. Had something happened at school?
He cleared his throat, his gaze darting around the room before finally settling on the floor between us. “I wanted to say that I’m sorry for breaking into your store and damaging the jars.”
He’d knocked my spice jars to the floor, and it had been a pain to clean up the spices and glass shards. Relief flooded my system that nothing was wrong. “Thank you for apologizing.”
“When I was doing what I did, I wasn’t really thinking about the person who owned the store. I was angry that my mother left me here. It was weird starting school in the middle of the year. I didn’t have any friends. I’m not trying to make excuses—”
My heart broke for him. I remembered that feeling, even though I’d only been six when I came here to live with Nana. “It’s a tough adjustment. I know it must be hard for you.”
He looked up at me, his eyes widening slightly.
I smiled reassuringly. “I was once the new kid too, although I was much younger. My mom sent me to live with my grandmother.”
“She did?”
“Yeah.” I didn’t go into the whys. I didn’t even understand them myself. “Once I got over the hurt and shock, my grandmother helped me see that I could have a new life here. New friends, a home, people that cared about me.”
“Did you?”
I sensed my answer was important to him. “I did, but I always had my brother. Just like you have your dad.”
He was quiet for a few seconds before he said, “Reid told me if I want to play sports, I have to stay out of trouble.”
“And keep your grades up, I’m sure.”
His lip curled. “School is boring. I don’t see the point of homework.”
