Homecoming Love

I can feel Chad’s gaze on me, but I don’t dare look at him.

Obviously, I never wanted his friendship with Spencer to get off track, so I tried the best I could to keep any information from getting to him, but he’s not stupid. Even though he doesn’t know what happened between us, I know he’s worried about us being in the same room again. I can’t blame him.

My mother clears her throat, pouring more coffee for Alice and my dad. “Alice, dear, is there anything else you need help with? Oscar can drive us around, and I can leave the bakery for a few hours.”

I’m so grateful that she changed the subject that I almost let out a sigh of relief. I finally get to my breakfast, putting everything I can grab on my plate, but my stomach is telling me it’s not a good idea. I’m suddenly not that hungry anymore, but dismissing my mom’s delicious food would be a waste—especially her pie.

Alice shakes her head, her perfect blonde locks swooshing over her shoulders. “Oh, not at all, Norah. You already did a lot by letting me skip work today. Everything is settled. Ryan just has to pick up his tux. Right, baby?”

Ryan makes a noise similar to a grunt, his mouth too full to reply without getting chastised by Mom.

“Well, I hate to interrupt this family bonding moment, but I have to go to the newspaper before I get fired.” I rise from my seat, taking a last sip of coffee and waving goodbye to everyone.

I rush to the sink to wash my plate and mug and run upstairs to get dressed, not feeling very enthusiastic about work today. However, I do want to get out of the house and avoid the pitiful stares I’m getting from my family. I won’t be able to handle another day filled with questions about Spencer and how I feel about seeing him after seven years.

You’d think it’s weird that I never saw him again after he left to study in LA, especially with his sister still living in Missoula. Back then, I used to find excuses to come home from college every week or two–doing the laundry in the dorms was a pain, and I missed my mom’s food more frequently than not–but whenever I heard Spencer would be back to visit his family and hang out with my brother, I managed to stay at Poppy’s—my best friend—or at the dorm, so I didn’t have to risk bumping into him.

Half an hour later, I arrive at the newspaper and take a deep breath before walking inside, preparing myself for the day.

Poppy spots me as soon as I cross the threshold and rushes toward me, her long, wavy auburn hair bouncing up and down.

“Isn’t it lame that we work at the local newspaper, and all our boss wants to know about is your brother’s wedding? She wants ME to write an article about it, as if people don’t have more important things to read about,” she complains when she approaches me, her beautiful green eyes rolling up as she tells me the news.

“Seriously?” I ask with a frown. “Does she really want you to cover the wedding while being completely drunk and not in control of your mental faculties?” I tease, laughing at her shocked face. I drop my head back when I see her discreetly flipping the bird at me.

“You’re ridiculous,” she mumbles, annoyed. “I’d think this is stupid if I were you.”

“I do,” I agree, pulling myself together. “But it is what it is. It’s a small town; people like to talk. Besides, you can do this with your eyes closed.”

“What about while being hungover? Because that’s how I’ll be after tomorrow. Or maybe I’ll be comforting your whiny ass after you realize you lost the most handsome man this town ever saw.”

I halt in my steps, turning to look at her. “Meaning?” I challenge with clenched teeth.

Poppy tosses her hands in the air in a surrendering pose. “You know what I mean… I know you last saw Spencer in another lifetime, but can you imagine how hot he must be now, at twenty-eight? Girl, I don’t envy you.”

I shrug, biting my tongue and preventing myself from telling her to fuck off. “It was his loss, not mine.”

“That is true.” Poppy concedes, nodding eagerly at me.

“Besides, he can be as hot as he wants. I couldn’t care less,” I carry on, too pissed off to stop now. “I bet all he can find in LA are women wanting to take advantage of him and his stupid position at the record label.”

“And do you think he’s complaining about that?” Poppy teases, nudging me in the ribs.

“It must get tiring some days, don’t you think? Spencer used to want a big family. I don’t see him giving up on that. But again, what do I know? I thought I knew him, and I was damn wrong.” I head for my office, Poppy hot on my tail.

“Sorry, girl. I was just joking to ease the mood, but I guess that was a bit cruel of me.”

“It’s fine. I’m just overreacting. My family went all ‘intervention’ on me this morning, and they’ve been cornering me ever since Ryan announced he was going to get married. I’m still having a hard time handling the idea of seeing Spencer, and they’re not helping,” I muse, finally getting to my office. I toss myself into the chair behind my desk, leaning back and closing my eyes.

“Shit, that must have sucked. And I totally understand why you feel this way. You’re not overreacting. You’re just being cautious and protective of your heart. What’s wrong with that?” Poppy asks, sitting across from me and holding my gaze.

I sigh. “I hate to be this person, but I just can’t shake this bad feeling. I don’t know what to think or feel. Seems stupid to be thinking about this after so long, don’t you agree?”

“No, I don’t. Every person feels different about different situations. Only you know what you went through, even if we were all there to watch it. But you have nothing to fear, okay? I’ll be there with you the entire time. And if you need my ‘come-and-rescue-me’ superpower, all you have to do is blink. and I’ll punch him in the face.”

I chuckle, shaking my head at her. Poppy is such a loyal and reliable friend. I have no doubt she would do what she says if I ask her to.

But she is right. I have nothing to fear. I’ll be there, enjoying my brother’s big day, pretending Spencer isn’t there, and it will be over before I know it.

But fate is a funny thing, isn’t it? It never really goes the way we expect it to.

Neither does it fail to surprise you—for better or worse.