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If she hadn’t rushed off to her room, I would have told her I feel the same. That I also struggle with crippling loneliness and a desire to fill the chronic void in my chest.
I swore to myself that I would only be here until I sold the house. That there was no point to sticking around longer than that, especially when I wasn’t wanted here.
But what if…
No. There is no possible way she would give me a chance.
Right?
During all my hypothetical situations about returning back to Lake Wisteria, I didn’t even consider the possibility of Lana being interested in me. Wouldn’t even entertain it because I couldn’t get my hopes up.
But what if she is open to us trying something new together? Something that isn’t weighed down by drugs or depression or bad decisions made out of desperation to feel something other than pain?
I could help lessen the loneliness both of us suffer from. It would be easy to become her companion. Friend.Lover.
My mind takes off, a plan forming as I mull through all our interactions up until this point. If Lana is confused, it’s time I clarified a few things—starting with my feelings toward her. I might not have an answer for everything, but I do know one thing.
Lana is the only woman I ever loved, and it’s time I started acting like it.
Second to Christmas, the Strawberry Festival is my favorite time of the year at Lake Wisteria. Everyone in town goes all out to make it the best event to celebrate the season. People from all over come to visit the park near Town Square and enjoy the carnival rides, pageants, and amazing food inspired by the fruit of the season.
Cami yanks on my arm. “Mommy! Look!”
I turn to where Cami points. “What?”
“It’s Cow-l!” She jumps up on her tippy toes to get a better look, making her strawberry print dress flap around her.
“Cal isn’t here.” At least I don’t think he is, since he never mentioned coming during the last few meals we shared together.
“It’s him!” She points toward the entrance of the festival.
At first, I think Cami must be imagining things. But then the person wearing a strawberry costume turns and looks at us with wide eyes.
Oh. My. God.
No freaking way.
From the green leafy headpiece and oversized white gloves to the red strawberry-shaped body piece and green pants, Cal looks like something out of a cartoon.
I burst out laughing. My hold on Cami’s hand slips, and she takes off toward him.
Usually, the costume is reserved for an angsty teen in need of a punishment from their parents or an adult who lost a bet. I’m not sure how Cal ended up wearing it, but I have to personally thank whoever convinced him to put it on.
I pull out my phone and snap a photo of him. Cal grabs Cami and throws her in the air, turning my already-softening heart into absolute goo as she breaks into a fit of giggles.
So much for trying to avoid the warm fuzzies around him.
I wipe a stray tear that fell as I walk over to them. “How much did they pay you to wear that?”
He places Cami on her feet. “Sadly, I volunteered.”
“Why?”
A breeze pushes a leaf into his eyes. “I was bored.”
“And they set you up with this?” I flick one of the leaves falling over his eyes.
“I guess they wanted to make an ass out of me. Surprise, surprise.”
