Page 33 of The Pact

I stare at the uncrumpled note in my hands again, knowing I should have told Cassie the truth. But her reaction would have made it worse. She would have insisted on calling the police. That’s what I should have done, from the beginning. However, that meant drawing things out.

I couldn’t bring myself to do that.

Cassie means well, I know she does. This is something I have to handle on my own.

I don’t lie when she asks if I will meet up with him. That would be stupid. Gavin won’t stop unless I do—face to face. Maybe this time he’ll get the hint.

So I told Cassie exactly when and where we’ll be. And I hope that my ex finally realizes that I want nothing to do with him.

As for Cole, I lie to him. I don’t want him wrapped up in this.

Cole: Morning, love. What are your plans for today?

Me: I have a full day in the studio. You?

Cole: Natalie came down with something, so I’ll be at the bakery most of today. Need me to bring you anything?

Me: You’re so sweet. I’ll let you know if I need anything.

Cole: See you tonight.

Me: Can’t wait!

Cole: Have a wonderful day, beautiful.

Me: You too!

The exaggerated enthusiasm makes me feel a little sick, but I don’t want him to worry. Also, this is too much baggage for something so new. He doesn’t need that. Lying over text wouldn’t be the hardest part, it’d be seeing him tonight and doing it to his face.

Cassie and Anthony are coming to Cole’s house for dinner and games. Maybe that would be enough of a distraction. Then I wouldn’t have to mention anything about today.

Looking myself over in the mirror, I make sure not to wear clothes that might make him feel like I put too much effort into seeing him. I pull my dark hair into a low ponytail and slip on my old sneakers. Perfectly plain, perfectly unappealing.

The contradiction hits me hard.

Gavin loved the way I dressed when we first met. I was all sundresses and skin. It’s what caught his attention. But years later, it was the thing he hated the most about me. Whenever I wore anything he deemed too revealing, I’d hear about it for hours. You’re such a whore for attention. The words are long gone. Still, they feel heavy in my ears, as if he’s saying them to me right now.

I agreed to meet him in a public place. It’s the safest way to do this. I also realize that if he’s leaving me notes, it’s likely he already knows where I live. Stopping this early will be key so that he doesn’t seek me out here.

My truck’s engine turns over and I head towards the restaurant far from Wolfe Creek Bakery, ensuring that Cole won’t see us.

I work on steadying my heartbeat and breathing the entire drive over—it actually starts to work. That is, until I pull into the parking lot and spot Gavin’s Mercedes. The sight of it drags up all the panic I’ve worked so hard to push down.

The only solution is getting this over with. I step out of my truck, square my shoulders, and put on a face of false confidence.

Pulling open the door to the Italian restaurant, my eyes adjust to the dim light inside. I scan the tables until I spot him. Our eyes lock simultaneously. I want to run, I should run. Instead, my legs drag me inside.

Gavin smiles brightly. He looks a little different—good even. Maybe he finally took my advice to stop the nightly beer binges.

His light brown hair is wavy but styled neatly. He’s always had a boyish face that appears even younger when he keeps it clean-shaven. That’s how he looks today—youthful and almost innocent. It’s a disguise. In college, he played football. Back then, his body reflected that hard work in the cuts and hardness of defined muscles. Now, after years of drinking and not working out, his body is much softer.

Gavin Tallentire isn’t an ugly guy. In fact, most women would love to end up with a man who looks like him. Yet the darkness beneath the surface has made him ugly to me.

He stands and I think he’s about to hug me. I put a stop to it. I sit down before he can touch me. The light leaves his eyes a little and satisfaction surges briefly.

“Hi, I’m Terri. I’ll be helping ya’ll today. Can I get you started with drinks?”

I order water. He does the same. “Can we also get some garlic knots? You want those, right?” It takes all of my effort to bite my tongue. I nod. Twelve years and he still doesn’t remember what foods have gluten in them.

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