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Biting into the rich brownie, Lauren tried to picture herself with Kevin ten years from now No matter how hard she tried, the visual wouldn’t form While she could picture herself several years fro a movie while cuddled up next to so beside her Instead, Nate sat on the sofa, his arm around her
Without stopping to consider what her actions ht tell her sister, Lauren popped the last bite of her brownie into her hts of Nate Callahan blocked out, safely stored away Now, though, she couldn’t get him out of her head
Nate pressed down on the accelerator of his Mustang as he hit the apex of the turn on Breakneck Hill and grinned It’d been a long time since he’d driven the curvy road, but he still knehere each and every turn was Man, it felt good to be home Until the weekend before when he’d e, he hadn’t realized just how efield
Crossing over the town line into Slatersville, he turned onto Milford Road toward the center of town and Elotten Lauren’s address from his mom the day after the retirement party When he’d asked if she knehere Lauren lived, she hadn’t asked any questions Instead she’d given him a small smile, pulled out her address book, and wished him luck He’d wanted to stop by that afternoon, but an appointment with a realtor made that impossible
Turning right onto Elm Street, he slowed the car so he could check house numbers All the homes on the street were either s sets or pools in the backyard, but for the hborhood
A e nu into the driveway behind a red Mini Cooper with a buine Nervous energy shot through him as he studied the well-kept ranch before him From the looks of it, the home had been recently painted, perhaps that past fall, and squat shrubs sat in a row in front of the farht now the shrubs were still bare, but in the supole with an A was attached to the home and a black lamppost sat at the end of the brick ay
Getting out of the car, he slaravel crackled as he strolled up to the ay The sound of a nearby wind chi outside a few houses down faded away as the blood thundering in his ears increased Polite but distant described her behavior at the party While she’d reacted much differently in his dreams, her initial reaction to his return didn’t shock him, but it did disappoint hiether Hoould she react today?
Despite the cool temperature, a trickle of sweat ran down his back as he pressed the doorbell I inside continued to bark, but Lauren still didn’t appear Was she out? Had her date from the party co made, she had to know someone was outside if she was home
Daht He’d already waited longer than he wanted Inside, the dog becaain? If his first atte’s racket hadn’t told her she had a visitor, would a second atte to lose by trying again
Nate’s finger zeroed in on the doorbell, but he stopped when Lauren opened the door She was dressed in a long dark pink sweater with black leggings, and her ash blonde hair hung in a wet tangledstood next to her, its tailing wagging back and forth For a heartbeat or two, they both stared at each other, neither saying a word Even with her uncombed wet hair and shell-shocked expression, she looked more beautiful today than she had when they’d dated
“Nate?” Lauren’s forehead creased “Whatwhy are you here?” She shook her head “How did you knohere I live?”
“I askedwith the simple questions seemed best
“Oh Yeah, I guess that makes sense”
Did she plan to invite hi in front of the open door et hair, she had to be cold “Mind if I come in?” While he’d stand on the front step and talk all day if he had to, he figured they’d both be more comfortable inside
Lauren blushed and took a step back “Sorry You surprised me Come on in”
Although she let him, she didn’t move from her new spot near the door or ask hi here?” Lauren pushed a clump of wet hair away from her face
Nate glanced around the roo back at Lauren Confusion and unease radiated fro that he’d practiced what he wanted to say “Catch up and stuff I’ve reeting cards, but he’d been honest with her
Lauren frowned up at hio out When you rang the bell I was in the shower I still need to fix my hair and do my makeup