AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s literally what the trio advocates.”
“That’s not how it works. It’s fate. Destiny. Two souls connecting beyond a timeline.”
I roll my eyes. “We are not going to agree on whatever follows that statement.”
“You were both so young when Johnny left.” Clove’s thumbs rub the top of my hand in a soothing manner. “He wanted to travel, and you wanted to go to school. Your paths weren’t interlocked yet. You both had so much to do. So much you couldn’t have done if you’d stopped tofocus on a relationship that wasn’t really there, to begin with.”
Two ladies travel into our booth. My sister pulls me outside the tent to continue our conversation in private.
“Now, he’s back. And it’s not that you’ve been sitting here waiting for him. You’re back, too, after years of school and living your own life. Bexley, you’ve grown into your own strong, independent, amazing woman. You’re not the same girl you were back then, and he’s not the same guy.”
She has no idea. Somewhere along his journey, he shed the anger and short temper that had engulfed his younger years. All the time I’ve spent with him in the past couple of weeks, he’s always present, in the now. That once-haunted look of escape no longer lingers in his eyes. He’s never in a hurry to leave or be anywhere else. He seems content with me, with his dad and family. When I actually stop and think about it, he loves everything around him. He’s comfortable, satisfied, and untroubled.
“Stop judging those two young kids and look at the two adults you are now.”
“He’ll leave.” I say the words, but I’m not so sure I believe them.
“You haven’t given him a chance to prove otherwise.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. I’ve been so scared of him leaving I didn’t take the time to acknowledge the man he’s become.
“I’m not saying marry the guy tomorrow.” My sister laughs. “I’m saying, give him a chance. More than a weekend fling.”
“You’re right.”
“What?”
I laugh at her perplexed look.
“He’s not in a hurry to leave. He hasn’t been since he’s gotten here. He’s changed. I saw it. I saw it, and I ignored it because I was scared. But if I don’t take the risk, I’ll never get the adventure of a lifetime.” I squeeze her hand. “And I want a lifetime of adventures with him. I love Johnny.” I hug her and kiss her cheek. “I have to go.”
Inside the tent, Bay is finishing up a sale with a customer.
I grab my purse.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
I jaunt to the other side of the table before I answer. “To tell Johnny I love him.”
“Bexley—”
I hold up my hand. “You’re not going to change my mind. I’ve always loved him, but we weren’t ready until now. Now, I’m ready, and I know he is too.”
“Wait!” Bay holds out a folded white piece of cardboard. “I got you this.”
I flip open the cardboard to find a number written on it. “What’s this?”
“Some goofball is throwing a random auction by the gazebo.”
I curse. I guess Johnny will have to wait until after I stop whatever this so-called auction is.
“Do you know who it is? No one talked to me about an auction.” I tuck the number in my pocket. “Stay here with Clove. I’ll figure out what’s going on, and then I’m going to find Johnny.”
Bay comes around the table and steps in my path. “Good. I don’t want you to let the past chase away your now.”
I expect him to fight me or forbid me, but I get the feeling he’s encouraging me to get Johnny back.
“When I got hit before the big game in college, and I couldn’t play anymore, I thought my life was over.” Pain flashes over his face. “I pushed everyone away. Friends, family, even the one person who I loved more than anything.”
