Time has definitely passed, and it’s been good to Easton Locke.
Not thinking too much about it, I say, “Sure, Cup-O-Joe?”
“Perfect.” A dazzling smile brightens his face. I’m in so much trouble if I think I’ve truly moved on from this man. One look at the person he’s grown up to be, and I’d fail a lie detector test that asked if I was still attracted to him.
Easton looks at me as he waits for me to make a move toward my car. “See you there,” I throw over my shoulder before sliding into the driver’s seat, turning on the heater to full blast and placing my hands close to the vent, letting it warm up my gloved fingers that are frozen despite my attempt to keep them warm.
I catch a smile playing on Easton’s lips as he shakes his head and gets into his car. I never saw him as a fancy Porsche guy, but I guess we all change. He mentioned he’s a lawyer, and I can imagine that lifestyle coupled with living in a city is completely different than the one we have here, different than the way he was brought up. Either way, coffee is going to be interesting.
I park in a spot a few shops down from Cup-O-Joe. The center of town is full of people, and I’m sure they are having lunch or a cup of coffee indoors. I can imagine the whispers when everyone sees me sitting with Easton. After Abbie told me what people were saying at church, this will probably confirm their theories about Easton and me dating again.
I roll my eyes and get out of my car, careful not to slip on a patch of ice as I make my way into the coffee shop. Once I’m inside, I see Easton walking toward the door. His arms fly out as he slips but maintains himself upright. I cover my mouth as I giggle, ignoring the loud chatter in the place.
“Did you see me almost fall on my ass?” Easton asks as soon as he opens the door and stands in front of me.
“Yup,” I pop the P, holding back my laughter.
Easton shakes his head with slight embarrassment. “Let’s get you coffee, Rudolph.”
My mouth drops open as I glare at him, but I feel a slight blush cover my cheeks. He remembers that.
After Easton and I grab our drinks, we sit at one of the only tables available and ignore the wandering eyes and curious coffee lovers with raised eyebrows.
“People were whispering at church. I bet they’re getting a kick out of this,” Easton leans forward on his elbows as he speaks.
“Yeah,” I sigh.
“Sooo… How have you been? Where do you work?” He leans back on his chair, his hands cradling the coffee cup.
I can’t believe I’m sitting here, having coffee with Easton, as if we were two old friends catching up. Well, I guess that’s exactly what it’s like. Still, it feels weird and right and confusing all at the same time.
“I’ve been good. I work at the elementary school as the administrative assistant. It’s great, honestly. Poppy teaches there, too, so it’s nice to have her around.”
“That’s cool. I take it being a historian didn’t work out?” His eyes widen the slightest bit as a smile marks his face.
I chuckle and shake my head, relaxing into my seat. “No future, so I make up for it by watching documentaries. How about you? A lawyer, huh?” I lift my eyebrows. I never imagined him taking on a suit and arguing in a courthouse.
“Don’t look at me like that.” His full smirk turns into a crooked one. “I had to take debate as an elective in high school, and I ended up really enjoying it. From there, I started looking at my options. Then, in college, I took a few pre-law classes and loved it.”
“Good for you.” I take a sip of my coffee, cringing when it burns my tongue.
“Hot?” Easton lifts his eyebrows in question.
“Steaming.” I remove the lid from my cup so it can cool down faster and look back at him.
“So now you’re going to work with Mr. Powell. I guess you took over Patrick’s position.”
“Yeah, I actually did. Heard he moved out of town not too long ago. What happened there?” His eyes widen in curiosity
“He’s a jerk and eventually lost his standing with the people. He was using Poppy— Actually, I should say trying to use Poppy to get a secure spot at Town Hall.”
“Poppy?” Easton’s eyebrows pinch together. “Weren’t he and Averly together?”
“This is what happens when you move away from a small town; you miss all the juicy stuff.” I shake my head and shrug.
My heart stammers when Easton leans forward and whispers, “You know that wasn’t my choice. I would’ve stayed.”
Suddenly, the light conversation has turned more serious. I stare into his eyes, framed by his full eyebrows. I always had a weird fascination with guys and thick eyebrows. It’s like they make them look manlier, scruffier. Easton always had perfect ones.
“You never came back, either.” I raise an eyebrow. God, I waited to see him again. It’s neither of our faults that we didn’t work out, but how I wish we would have. How I wish he would’ve jumped on a plane and visited, written to me, anything. Then again, neither did I.
“It wasn’t that easy. So much time had passed, and it felt awkward. Besides…” He looks over my head, avoiding my eyes.
“Besides what?” I push.
“For all I knew, you had moved on, met some guy and gotten married.”
My heart stops as his words sink in. My breathing comes in shallow as I look down at my coffee cup. If Easton wondered about that, then it must mean he still thought about me, not just remembered me as an ex-girlfriend.
“Why did you come now?” I look back into his eyes.
His expression turns grave. “My dad passed away a year ago—”
“What? I’m so sorry.” I reach for his arm, and we both look down at where our skin makes contact.
“It’s okay. He was sick, heart issues, and we knew it could happen. It still doesn’t prepare you, though. Losing a parent.” He shakes his head.
“Anyway, I know how much he loved this place and leaving it was hard on him, but he would’ve done anything to make my mom happy. She deserved the opportunity to work at a university and make her dreams a reality, even if it meant leaving our home. But after he died, I just felt like I had to come back home. I could feel him here. I used my part of the inheritance to buy back the ranch. I just don’t want people here to accuse me of being a rich kid because I’m not,” he whispers this last part.
I nod.
“Where better to honor his life than here?” Easton shrugs, leaning back, causing my hand to slip off his. I remember when I didn’t need permission to touch him.
“And yours,” I add.
“Yeah, mine too. It all just fell into place.”
“That’s great,” I say just as his phone rings.
“Shit.” He looks at the screen and frowns. “It’s Camden. He’s probably wondering where I am. When I left this morning, he was still sleeping. He’s not much of a churchgoer.”
“Oh, yeah.” I stand. “You should go home. Man, that feels weird to say.” I shake my head and laugh awkwardly.
“Feels right to me.” He grins, his eyes brightening up like Christmas lights. “But yes, I should go before he tries to ride a horse or something.”