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“Yes.” I smile and look over at her nervously. I’m suddenly feeling shy and wondering if I should have stayed home.No, I need this. I need to make friends and get out,I remind myself.
“I’m Beth, Evan’s fiancée.” She smiles. “You already know Allie. And this is Mellie and Paige.” She introduces me to the other ladies with her, who smile at me curiously and give friendly waves. “Want to join us?”
My heart warms, shyness gone. This is Beth, who is Evan’s fiancée. She looks young and sweet and welcoming. This is definitely making me glad I came out tonight.
“Sure.” I smile and slide off my stool. “Hey, Allie,” I call to the familiar face and wave to the others.
“It’s good to see you again, Callie,” she says, leaning in to hug me.
“Good to see you too,” I say, sliding onto the seat next to them at their high-top table. “Having a girls’ night?”
“Yes, Evan is playing.” Beth swoons as she waves to Evan on the stage. Evan waves back and then strums his guitar. “We’re having drinks and catching up.” She waggles her eyebrows at Evan, who is warming up with his guitar.
“Stop ogling my brother. It’s gross,” Allie teases Beth.
“I can’t help it. He makes pretty babies.” She shrugs with a grin.
“Speaking of babies. Who has Benny and Eden tonight?” Paige asks.
“Margie. She loves Grandma time. She has all the kids tonight, and she loves it,” Mellie says.
Allie looks over at me and says, “How are things with you and SJ? I’ve heard rumors about you two getting back together.” She grins. “Hoping they’re true.”
“What have you heard?” I ask, curious about what the rumor mill is spreading these days.
“Just that the chemistry is off the charts with you two,” Allie says. “No offense, but everyone is rooting for you two to get back together.”
“I don’t know if we can get back together. There’s too much to fix.” I shake my head.
“He’s a mechanic. I’m sure he can fix anything,” Allie teases.
Thankfully, the music starts, and I realized I’ve missed hearing Sam play. He used to practice his guitar all the time at the shop, and while it drove SJ nuts sometimes, I always found it soothing to listen to him while I was doing homework or hanging out while SJ worked on a car. He can play almost any cover song. In a way, it’s the sound of my childhood, and it’s comforting to hear him play again. It also takes me back to memories with SJ. And that isn’t where I want to go tonight.
“I’d love to have you come by Turn the Paige bookstore and see it,” Paige says sweetly. “We just opened, and I’d love to show it off.”
This is what I’ve missed. Friends. Having a community to call home again. I knew I needed to come back to Freedom Valley. “I’d love to come by. I used to read a lot, but I haven’t been able to read for fun for a long time. I’m excited to get back to it again.” I sip my drink. “And how cool is it that we finally have a bookstore here in town?”
Nudging me, Paige widens her eyes and says, “Is that him?”.
All our heads turn to look, and SJ stands in the doorway with his back turned to us, talking to someone. He laughs at something the person is saying to him, then looks around until his eyes land on me. Even from this distance, I can tell that look is aimed at me, blazing with unrestrained heat. The way he used to look at me. His face is impassive, cool, and calm, but his eyes smolder. A flicker of surprise at seeing me is evident on his face. He looks good. Too good.
“That’syour man, Callie?” Paige breathes. “Add to cart.”
“Um…” I mumble. I’m at a loss for words just looking at him. He is easily the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. And not just because I used to be madly in love with him. He just naturally looks like a blue-collar hottie in his flannel shirt. And I just happen to know that he’s the best kisser and lover. Or used to be anyway. God only knows what he’s like now as a man. And then I think about who he’s been with over the past twelve years, and my eyes narrow. I don’t want to think about him with anyone else.
Allie nods. “Yes, Callie needs to add to cart.”
“No.” In my mind, I’m shaking my head, but instead, the words come out as I’m nodding.
“Why not?” Beth asks. “He is one good-looking man. Like a mini-Sam.” She looks up at Sam and back to him. “If those are his genes, that’s what he’ll look like in about twenty. And it’s not bad, Callie.”
I snort. “It’s a long story. But he’s not my man.”
“Go ahead,” Mellie encourages. “We have all night.”
“Also, let’s exchange numbers so we can add you to our friend group chat.” Allie pulls out her phone and slides it over to me to add my number.
I add it and then sip my drink. My eyes still catch his as he makes his way around the tavern, catching up with people. “We were high school sweethearts and supposed to go off to college together. He ended up leaving without saying a word, and he joined the Army. He never said goodbye or anything,” I explain.
