Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
My chest tightened as Tyler’s eyes flashed in my mind, the sun setting over the mountains as he said three words I had always longed to hear, even when I hated him, even when I hoped to never see him again.
I miss you.
Guilt struck me like a hot iron to the gut, piercing and sharp, and I shook my head, disappointed and disgusted with myself.
Why had I even asked Tyler? Why had I brought up that day seven years ago after I’d spent so long trying to forget it?
How would I feel if Jacob asked a girl he grew up with, a girl he used to love, the same thing?
“I don’t want daisies,” Morgan said as we rounded a corner. “Too cliché, I think. And definitely not roses. I want something fresh and new, something unique to New Hampshire or New England, at least. What’s our state flower?”
I almost didn’t hear her question, since I was still punishing myself in my mind. But I managed to reach for her words through the fog. “Um… lilac. Purple lilac.”
She gasped. “Jasmine! The color of your bridesmaid dress is lilac!”
“It’s meant to be,” I managed through a smile, pulling my arm from hers. “Why don’t you browse them, over there,” I said, pointing to where a collection of gorgeous lilacs were. “And maybe think of what could complement them. I’m going to run to the ladies’ room and I’ll be back.”
She frowned, murmuring an okay, and I turned and fled before she had the chance to ask me what was wrong.
In the small, dim-lit bathroom of the shop, I relieved myself and washed my hands, and then I splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection as the water dripped down my chin and into the sink. My slate eyes stared back at me, seemingly innocent, seemingly happy.
Only I knew the torture they hid.
At least, that’s what I thought, until Morgan gave me a knowing look when I returned. She looped her arm in mine again just like she had before, and we walked the aisles of flowers quietly. But I could feel her watching me, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she called me on my mood.
“The florist suggested dogwood,” she said after a moment. “But, I don’t know that that fits me. I was thinking maybe some white peonies.”
“That would be pretty.”
“Maybe some trailing clematis, and some delicate greenery.”
“Perfect.”
“Maybe some honey, dripping from the stems.”
I cocked a brow at her. “That would be sticky.”
“Just making sure you’re listening.”
“I’m here.”
“Are you?” Morgan stopped, pulling me to face her in the corner of the shop. “You seem a little distant today, and honestly, you’ve seemed a little… tense, ever since your plane landed.”
I swallowed, looking over a collection of magnolias without a response. I’d never told Morgan what happened between me and Tyler that day my mom left, and she’d always assumed I left because of my mother, that she was the reason I never came back to Bridgechester to visit.
And I let her assume that, because telling her that I was in love with her brother wasn’t just a worse option — it was an impossible one.
Morgan sighed. “I have to tell you something.”
When I looked at her again, her eyes were wide, brows tugged together, and she was worrying her lip between her teeth like she was about to tell me someone died.
I tilted my head, watching her warily. “Okay…”
Morgan let out a long sigh, looking around like someone in the great big town of Bridgechester might overhear us. And when she looked at me again, it was with an apology already written all over her face. “I know what happened between you and Tyler.”
All the color drained from my face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say something before now,” she rushed. “I just… he told me in confidence, and I knew you were hurt over your mom, and I didn’t want to bring up something that obviously meant nothing, and I figured you’d be embarrassed.”
She kept going, but my mind was sticking on the words tumbling from her mouth at a hundred miles per hour.
He told me.
Meant nothing.
Embarrassed.
“… bring it up, you know? But then you guys just stopped talking, and you never came home, and I missed you and I missed us and I guess I just thought that you coming back home, that you guys could put everything behind you, and we could all be friends again, you know? Like the old days.” She smiled weakly. “The Wagner Kids — Plus One.”
I think I smiled. I think I managed to clear my throat before I asked, “Tyler told you?”
Morgan grimaced. “The next morning. You were still asleep in my bed, and we were both down in the kitchen, eating cereal. He was all quiet and broody and then he told me what happened.”