“Awww… You still love her!” Allyson yells as she teases me.
“You’re a jerk. I don’t love her,” I say, although I’m not sure if that’s entirely true. I’m not sure what I feel because so much time has passed. I’m sure I’m in love with the girl I left behind, but that may not be the woman I’m hoping to get to know.
“Whatever…” My sister rolls her eyes. “I think you do.”
“I haven’t seen her in years,” I counter.
“But the heart knows what it wants,” she sing-songs.
“We’ll see.”
“Don’t tell me, your sister, that you weren’t hoping to see her again.” Allyson lifts a brow and gives me a know-it-all glare.
I exhale and shake my head. “Of course, I was, but I had no expectations. For all I knew, she had a fulfilling life and didn’t have a place for me.”
“And? Do you? Have a place in it?” Allyson gives me a hopeful look as her eyes widen.
“Maybe,” I sigh, nodding. “I hope so.”
“I knew it! You do love her!” she screams, lifting from her seat.
“Shhh… Where are you?” I try to look at her surroundings.
“I’m home. I just got back from drinks with co-workers. They wanted to keep going, but I’m exhausted and wanted to call before you went out. You are going out, right? It’s Friday.” She’s so nosy. Allyson and I are three years apart, but she’s always inserting herself in my life, asking questions.
“Yes, I’m going to Clarke’s. Do you remember it?”
“Yeah…” She nods slowly. “The place with all the wooden walls. We used to love their ribs.”
“That’s the one.” Although a lot of places here have wooden structures, imitating cabins and barns.
“Fun! Who are you going with?” She leans back in her seat.
“I’m not sure if you remember them. Finn Cooper, Averly Cooper, Poppy, Abbie, Faith. They were all friends. Knox Bentley and his wife will be there, too. Eli. You may not remember him since he’s older.”
“I’m still stuck on Knox Bentley. I can’t believe we technically grew up with him. How is he? Cool? A jerk? Didn’t he move back there not too long ago?” Here we go again with all her questions.
“He’s cool, always has been. And you’re right, he moved back like 3 years ago or so.”
“So, Faith is going tonight, huh?” Her eyebrows waggle, and she’s back to the topic of Faith.
“Yes,” I breathe out. “We’ll see how it goes.” My plan is that the flowers I sent her made her smile enough that when she sees me and I ask her out again, she won’t be able to turn me down.
“You better let me know! When do you start work?” Her interrogation is giving me whiplash, but I wouldn’t trade my sister in for the world.
I update Allyson on work and the rest of town. When she starts yawning, I tell her to go to bed, and I get dressed to head out to Clarke’s. I’ve got a woman to see. Scratch that, I’ve got a woman to win over.
…
Faith is the first person I see when I walk into the bar. She’s standing at the far end with her friends, sipping a glass of wine. A smile lights up her face, oblivious to my presence, so I drink her in as I make my way toward them.
My feet falter when I get a better look at her. Fuck me and that sweater that shows off her skin. She laughs at something, and when she turns her head and sees me, her breath catches, and her eyes stare into mine.
It doesn’t take long before Poppy, Averly, and Abbie turn toward me and smile. I look at the rest of the crowd and grin when I see Gavin and his wife, Sutton. I met her briefly after church, and she seems to be perfect for him.
“Hey, man, I thought you’d stay home.” I shake Gavin’s hand and slap his shoulder.
“Heard you were coming out, so I figured we could use some adult time,” Gavin smirks.
I say hello to Sutton and greet everyone else. When I stop at Faith, my smile widens. She’s stunning—her long brown hair falls over her shoulders, and her blue eyes twinkle.
“Hey,” I say, hating that we have an audience.
“Hi,” Faith pinches her lips in a smile before taking a drink of wine.
It’s awkward as hell with everyone watching, and all I want to do is ask her if she liked the flowers. Instead, I order a beer and reply to Finn’s question about the horses we saw this week. I get pulled into the conversation, sneaking side glances at Faith in the meantime.
“Stop talking about work, and let’s go dance,” Abbie interrupts us, reaching for Finn’s hand.
“What the lady wants, the lady gets,” he winks and moves with her toward the crowd of people already dancing. I chuckle as I watch them, still surprised that those two ended up together.
It takes less than thirty seconds before everyone else is dancing, leaving Faith and me alone by the bar.
“How are you?” I turn to look at her.
“Good. Thank you for the flowers,” she smiles. “They’re beautiful.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked them. I was banking on daisies still being your favorite.” I take a pull of my beer.
“You were correct.” I inwardly high-five myself. “How’s the furniture shopping coming along?” She rolls the stem of her wineglass between her fingers as she speaks.
“Great, all done.”
“Really?” Her eyebrows shoot up.
“Yup,” I smile. “I need to make the place mine again. Allyson helped me pick out a few things and made sure the house decor flowed instead of a bachelor pad,” I chuckle.
“Oh, my goodness, how is she? Is she here?” Faith’s eyes pop open.
“No, she’s actually in Spain for work. Her company opened an office there, and they sent her over for a year to start it up.”
“Oh, wow… Spain.” Faith nods slowly. “That must be incredible. Wait, does she speak Spanish?” Her nose scrunches up.
“She’s learning,” I laugh.
“It must be one hell of an experience,” Faith comments.
“It is,” I nod. “Do you want another one?” I point to her empty glass.
“Sure, thanks.” She looks at everyone dancing. “It doesn’t seem like I’m leaving anytime soon.”
I order us both another round and pay the bartender before I stand next to Faith again. I could ask her to dance, but I much rather talk to her right now, learn anything I can about this version of Faith.
“Tell me what you’ve been up to. Everything I’ve missed,” I tell her, wanting to hear it all.
“The same as everyone, I guess. College, work, life…” she trails off. “Honestly, I don’t know that much has changed in my life, which sounds kind of sad.” Her eyes avert mine, looking into her wineglass.
“Or comforting,” I add.
She smiles up at me. “I guess. I did end up going to University of Wyoming and got my degree there. Poppy, Abbie, and Averly went as well, so it was nice to have them there. After, I moved back and had a few jobs before the administrative assistant position opened at the school, and I applied. It’s probably the best opportunity in town. I get benefits from the county and almost a month’s vacation…. God, I can’t believe I’m talking about my work benefits,” she chuckles and shakes her head, her cheeks turning pink.