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I move to the window to peek out the curtain, expecting to see Andrew’s truck. Instead, I see a royal blue SUV parked in his place. I watch as a woman steps out of the car. Instantly, I feel a small wave of jealousy come over me. I’m sure no one could blame me. The woman’s a knockout and can’t be much older than twenty-one. She’s dressed in business casual, wearing jeans, a white top, and a blue blazer that matches her car perfectly. Her long dark hair is in soft curls and falls to the center of her back. Quickly, she climbs the steps, unlocks the door and disappears inside.
The rational part of my brain kicks in just in time, and I realize there has to be some sort of reasonable explanation. But who is she? Maybe his soon to be sister-in-law? I can’t think of anyone else that might be there, especially when he’s not. I don’t know if he really has any friends here other than me and his brother. But then, how much do I really know about him? In silence, I continue to stand behind the curtain, watching for movement. It doesn’t take long before she is outside again. She immediately moves to her car and pulls a For Sale sign from the back.
Before I can stop myself, I open the door and walk outside, waving to her. “Hey! Hi. I’m Tyler.” I say, making my way towards her.
“Hi, I’m Ava Montgomery. Nice to meet you.” She sticks out her hand to shake mine, while leaning the sign against her torso.
“You too!” I pause, rocking back on my heels, trying to think of the least invasive way to ask for information. “I didn’t think he was going to list the house until later this week. You caught me by surprise.”
She stands on the bar at the bottom of the sign, causing it to slowly work itself into the ground. “Yeah, same.” She says, stepping backwards to survey her handiwork. “He stopped by the office and said that he had an emergency and had to get back to Texas immediately. We did all the listing paperwork virtually and now here we are.” She dusts off her hands onto her jeans. “Hopefully, selling it will be just as quick and painless as the listing.”
I hold up my hand to make the universal sign and say, “Fingers crossed.”
“Speaking of, I heard you’re planning to sell soon, too.” Ava says with a smile. Quickly, she hands me a business card she pulls from her back pocket. “Call me when you’re ready. I’d love to help you.”
“Yeah, I’ll do that.” I take the card and hold it carefully, not seeing any reason to tell her that I’m planning to stick around. “Have a good night.” I say with a wave as I make my way back to my house.
What kind of emergency could have come up? Why didn’t he leave me a note at the least? When will I hear from him again? I feel like an idiot. I slept with him last night and then he just up and left with no warning. Maybe he’s not that great of a guy after all.
I walk to the mailbox to check the mail, hoping to find a note from Andrew inside. But there’s nothing other than a wedding invitation from Sierra. I toss it on the entryway table when I walk back into the house and shuffle to the kitchen to quiet the beeping oven timer.
No matter how good it smells or how hard I worked on it, I’ve officially lost my appetite. Who knew you could have your heart broken twice in one day?
* * *
“Enjoy.” I say, as I hand a plastic bag full of Hazel’s old clothes across the table to one of my neighbors.
“Oh, I will.” The grey-haired woman says with a smile. “Hazel always had the best sense of style. They will have a good home.”
“I’m so glad.” I tell her and watch as she makes her way back to her house. As soon as she’s gone, I pick up my phone and find that I still have no notifications.
“Still nothing?” Avery asks with a frown as she refolds some clothes on the table.
I shake my head. “Nope. Maybe he really is just an asshole, after all.” I say. It’s been three days since Andrew disappeared with no warning. Thanks to Avery, she was able to get his number from her brother, Bryan. I sent Andrew a text asking if he was okay, and it’s been sitting on read ever since. He hasn’t even bothered to answer me. “I mean, he slept with me and then disappeared the next day with no warning. Typical guy.” I tell Avery.
“I don’t get it.” She says. “That is so not like him.”
I sigh. “That’s what you keep telling me. Maybe you don’t know him all that well after all.” I say.
“I’m sorry, friend. I really thought you guys had something.”
I give Avery a tight-lipped smile. “Me too.”
Chapter 22
Two Months Later
The Blackledge Event Center is the focal point of downtown Fawn Creek and one of the city’s best hidden gems. As Avery and I approach the building, I can’t help but be in awe of its beauty. Especially when it’s all lit up after dark. The glass chandeliers hanging from the tin ceiling on the third floor sparkle as they reflect the dozens of rows of string lights that hang around the room. I smile as I watch figures moving in front of the windows, hugging and laughing. It’s the perfect night for a wedding reception.
I stop as we reach the building and I lean against the sandstone wall, to quickly change from my flip-flops to my heels. I refuse to walk on brick streets wearing three-inch heels. The lace cocktail dress Avery talked me into buying for this occasion just doesn’t work with sandals, though. Plus, the heels make my legs look incredible, if I say so myself, so I opted to carry my party footwear until we arrived.
“When did Friday night weddings become a thing?” Avery asks me, looking up at the massive building.
“Apparently, ever since this place is booked for every Saturday of the summer. Cassidy said they had to book for a Friday or choose another venue.” I shrug.
“There can’t be that many weddings happening in Fawn Creek.”
I shift my gaze to my reflection in the building’s window and absentmindedly tousle my hair. “It’s probably a mixture of reunions, weddings, baby showers and who knows what else. I guess it’s a good problem for them to have. Seems like everyone around here is celebrating something right now.” I frown, feeling instantly aware of the lack of forward motion in my own life.
