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“I’m not going to say he did the right thing either, but two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“You’re right.” I sigh as look toward the ceiling, wishing that none of this ever happened. No, that’s not true. I wouldn’t trade any of the time I spent with Finn for the world, but I would trade the pain. “This is a lot to think about.”
“Okay, I said I was done, but did you ever think of going with him? I’d miss you, but you can be a police officer anywhere. Your family loves you, but I doubt your parents or sister would fault you for following your heart.”
“I never thought about it. Having children and raising them in Magnolia has always been my dream.” I use the same regurgitated answer I’ve been giving everyone since I came home from college.
“You came home, took care of your family, and joined the county sheriff’s department, just like your dad. Heck, you even convinced me to move here with you. If you ask me, that’s pretty badass.”
Images of what my life would be like with someone who loves me with all their heart flood through my mind. Nights spent on the porch of the old farmhouse we both love, rocking in the rocking chairs and telling each other about our days. I can see it all laid out in front of me, and I yearn for it with my entire being. I’ve wanted that picture for most of my life, but it wasn’t until this moment that I realized I have something else that I cherish more than anything. More than the house or the picture-perfect life.
“Dreams can change,” I mumble to myself as tears pool in my eyes.
“They can,” she agrees. “Just because this isn’t what you envisioned your life being at this point, doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant to be.”
I never expected Finn to come into my life and awaken the part of myself that I’ve kept hidden and locked away for all these years. Finn has been waiting for me to invite him into my life completely since the day I held him at gunpoint in his parents’ front yard, and I need to give him an answer.
“What if I’m too late?” I ask the one question that has been filtering through my mind during this entire conversation.
Once again, Finn left me. He didn’t bother to include me in any decision. What if that was his way of telling me he was done? That he no longer wants to be the only one fighting for whatever this is between us.
“Then he’s an idiot,” Peyton responds without hesitation.
“Thank you,” I whisper to my friend, wishing she was here with me so I could give her a big hug.
If it wasn’t for her making me open up about everything that was going on since I saw Finn again for the first time, I never would’ve admitted to myself how much he has changed my life for the better. How much I need him.
“Anytime. Just promise to name your firstborn after me, and we can call it even.”
“You got it,” I respond before checking my watch and swearing softly. “Is there a chance I can convince you to bring the donuts my mom wanted me to pick up for Sunday school to the church? We won’t make it to the bakery in time and not be late for service.”
“Oh, we can’t have that, can we.” Peyton giggles. “No problem. Don’t forget to think about what I said.”
“I won’t,” I respond before hanging up the phone, just as I hear a loud knock on the door.
“I was just coming to let you know our shift is over. But no one is here to relieve us,” Campbell says, poking his head through the door.
“Yeah, we usually just lock up the station during church service, and then Waylen will be here later. Right now, we are what Colt likes to call being on call.” I stride past him into the reception area and grab two handheld walkie-talkies, handing him one and grabbing a set of keys from the pegboard. “The county dispatch center will call us on these if anything big happens, but pretty much everyone in the surrounding area is headed to church.”
“God forbid someone misses service.” He grabs the walkie-talkie from my outstretched hand and clips it to his belt. “Well, I’ll be heading out, then.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. Your girl is bringing donuts for Sunday school to the church.”
“My girl, huh?” He raises his eyebrow at me as he pulls the door open and motions for me to head out before him.
“Well, at least you think she is.” I laugh loudly before unlocking one of our SUVs and climbing in. “I’m driving.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gives me a mock salute before opening the passenger side door and climbing in next to me. “Don’t forget, you promised to help me talk tomy girl.”
“That I did.” I smile brightly at him before continuing. “You know what? I’m kind of glad you’re back here.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” He turns his puppy dog eyes on me.
“Fine, I’m lying a little, but seriously. Your being back in town and having a little crush on my best friend, who completely hates your guts because you broke up with me, is going to be interesting.”
“I aim to please.” He chuckles as I turn the ignition and pull out of the parking lot to head to the church.
“You don’t need to be so smug about it.”
