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“I promise it’s okay.”
She apologized a few more times for a few more things that were out of her control as I took her upstairs to my bedroom and helped her get comfortable. I tugged back the covers and helped her out of her boots. She chuckled as she laid down, looking into my eyes for a long moment before closing her own.
She opened her mouth to speak, looking like she was searching her brain for the perfect words.
“I think…”
“Yeah?”
I think I made a giant mistake coming back to Blue Creek?
I think those old feelings are coming back?
I think this bed is too big for just one person?
“I think I like your beard.”
I smiled, chuckling to myself. “Good night, Cindy.”
As I went across the hall to sleep in the twins’ old bedroom and undressed, Cindy’s revelation finally hit me. She was in love with me.Was. She made that part very, very clear.Was. As in no longeris.
I climbed into bed and slipped under the covers, thinking. Suddenly it made sense why she never wanted to be around me when I was with Emmeline. And why she never said yes when guys asked her out. I closed my eyes and thought about the sundress, the soft breeze blowing through her hair, the cherry smell…
What would have happened if Cindy told me that she loved me that night? Would I have kissed her? Maybe we would have dated that summer? Would her finally saying those three little words have pushed us fromjust friendsto something more?
Not knowing made me restless. And angry.
Now I had one more reason to feel so twisted up inside.
Eleven
Cindy
I woke up and my stomach churned. My temples throbbed. My whole body ached and I wanted to tell the sun to turn the fuck off.
But as I forced my eyes open, I realized I had bigger problems.
It wasn’t the first time I’d woken up at the Kanes’ home, but it was the first time I’d ever woken up in Luke’s room. In his bed. I was still fully dressed, though. And I was only there because I drank too much and needed to be carried home after making a fool of myself.
God, Cindy, you finally get into Luke’s bed and you don’t even remember it.
Groaning, I forced myself out of the bed and back into my shoes, tidying up before I headed downstairs. I hoped I could just find Luke, say a quick apology and goodbye, and run back to my sister’s guest room. Then I could hide out until I could get a job across the country.
Instead, I left the bedroom, turned the corner, and ran barrel straight into Luke.
“Hey,” he said. His voice was low and a little growly, like he’d just woken up himself. “You feeling okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
I nodded. “Thank you for taking care of me. I, um, I should probably get going.”
“Are you in a rush? I can make some coffee or something.”
“No, I’d really just like to get home.”
“Okay.”
