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“You sure?”
I nod. “Let’s talk colors. What are you thinking? And where are you having it?”
I bombard her with questions to stop my heart from beating out of my chest over the fact that a small part of me is excited he’s coming home.
I’m such a glutton for punishment where he’s concerned.
Two
Calista
October Present Day
* * *
My heart races and sweat drips down my temple even with the chilly air that arrived in our small Alaskan town this morning. The path around the lake isn’t as busy as it usually is, which I’m grateful for because today is not a day I can field nosy townspeople’s questions about the wedding of the decade that’s happening in only three weeks. Everyone is abuzz about my best friend Aubrey’s wedding to the hot young lawyer who grew up in the neighboring town of Sunrise Bay.
As I move from a jog to a walk to head back to town, I spot my old soccer coach, Uncle Jamie. I try to turn around quickly to do another lap to avoid him. Besides, it’ll help with all this anxiety I have about Rylan returning to town.
We have a big family. Now that all the original nine Bailey kids have married and have their own children, I can’t walk through the town square without running into at least one of us.
“Calista!” Uncle Jamie shouts with his Scottish accent and waves before I can sneak away.
I take out my earbuds. “Hey, Uncle Jamie.”
He goes in for a hug, but I wave him away since I’m so sweaty. “How’s the knee holding up?”
I shrug.
“Do you want me to grovel?” He doesn’t bother with chitchat, but if he did, I’d be more suspicious.
Uncle Jamie’s new quest is to persuade me to coach soccer at the sports complex he co- owns. He wants the girls to have a female coach and thinks I can help them develop their skills and give insight on what it’s like to be a female athlete. It shouldn’t be any different than being a male athlete, but no one’s naive enough to believe that. Take Rylan and me for instance. We trained together since we were six and our paths went two very different directions with two very different opportunities.
“I told you, I just don’t have the time.”
He holds out a box of Sweet Suga Things donuts. “Here. Last box.”
“Aunt Sedona will kill you if you give it to me.”
He chuckles. “Probably. But it’s worth it. There’s no one in the area even close to as qualified as you are.”
I blow out a breath. “I’ll tell you what. Let me get through this wedding and then we’ll talk, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Man, after everything I’ve done for you.” He winks and opens the box.
Damn, they look delicious. I shake my head. “Nope. I have a bridesmaid dress to fit in.”
“And a lad to show what he’s missing?” He arches a dark eyebrow.
I think Uncle Jamie feels comfortable talking to me about my issues with Rylan because he’s been entwined in our story from the beginning.
“Those days are over.”
He looks at me with kindness I want to scratch off his face like a feral cat. “We both know the two of you will never be finished business. Even if…” He shakes his head. “I look forward to you letting me know after the wedding.” He opens the donut box again. “Take one.”
“Nope. I need to work on my willpower. I’m going to jog another lap.”
“Yer gonna give yerself a stress fracture.”
