Page 12 of The Darkest Parts of Me

I shake my head. “What do you mean?”

Tasha covers her mouth to stifle her giggles, only making me more confused. “The look on your face is priceless.” She snickers as I roll my eyes. “You’re not the only one who responds that way the first time they see Renn.”

I turn back to the shelf to peek through again.

Renn. I replay his name in my mind. It’s different, but not too unusual. Simple. I decide I like the name, probably because of who it’s attached to, but nonetheless, I do.

“Do you want to meet him?” Her question causes me to knock a few more books off the shelf.

“What! No!”

“Tash? Everything okay?” Mina calls. Tasha grins and grabs my hand, pulling me before I can protest.

“We’re good. Maven was just . . . checking out a few books,” she says devilishly as we round the corner.

I’m now severely regretting my clothing choice. They turn to face us, and as we get closer, Renn straightens fully. Oh, goodness, he is tall, at least six-three. If I had to guess, he seems to be around our age—late twenties, maybe even early thirties. He’s wearing a white, short-sleeve v-neck, with dark pants and black boots. Tasha, still pulling me along, stops a few feet in front of him.

“Renn! I want you to meet someone. This is my best friend, Maven. Maven, this is Renn.” His eyes meet mine, and I suddenly don’t know what to do with my arms and hands. Luckily, he saves me when he extends a hand to me.

“Nice to meet you, Maven,” he says, grinning. I take his hand, large and rough against mine.

“You too,” I respond, and he lets go. His smile is so inviting, I easily return the sentiment.

“I was just talking to Maven about you, actually. She just got back into town,” Tasha enthusiastically tells him, and I smile awkwardly, making a note to remind her later how weird she’s making this moment. Renn’s green eyes, that appear to be more of a grayish green up close, look at me again as he cocks his head.

“Back?” he asks, casually folding his arms. The gesture makes me feel like he really is interested. I clear my throat nervously because his eyes never leave mine.

What is happening right now? Am I blushing?

“Yeah. I, uh, we haven’t been back to town . . . for a while. My mom and I got here last night.” He nods.

“Maven and her family have been coming to Solitude Ridge for many years. We’ve known each other for a long time,” Tasha explains.

I can’t think of what else to add so I give her a validating, “Mm-hmm,” in response.

“Well then, welcome back,” Renn says, beaming. I’m relieved he doesn’t ask more questions.

“Thank you. It’s good to be back.” There are a couple of moments of silence before I find myself asking, “When did you move to Solitude Ridge?”

Renn rubs a hand under his jaw and stares off for a moment, seeming to consider his answer. “It’s been about four years.”

We just missed each other, I think to myself. Not that it matters.

Mina pipes in. “Renn graciously stopped by to take the donation boxes for us.”

I glance at Renn just as he blushes at Mina, rubbing the back of his neck. It’s not hard to miss that he exudes confidence, but it’s not in any way cocky. Even though I’ve just met the man, I can clearly see it in his body language and the way he speaks—he gives off a sense of ease. But I also can’t help the nerves building inside me. The only way I can describe it is that he has a presence, and by the way we’re all admiring him, I’m not the only one feeling an aura radiating off of him.

“Oh, I don’t mind one bit. Happy to help.”

Tasha looks at me with an expression that says, Can you believe this guy?

Before anything else can be said, my mom bursts through the shop’s door. “Mave, did you get my messages?” She’s frazzled, but I’m familiar with her in this state, especially when I don’t respond to her messages in a timely manner. It happens more than I wish it would.

“Oh, no. Sorry, Mom. I don’t have my phone on me. I must have left it upstairs.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but then realizes there are other people in the room, her eyes pausing on Renn for a few extra seconds. “I needed a break from unpacking, but I haven't heard from you. I was wondering if you were close to being finished here.” Pivoting to face Renn, she cocks her head. “But now I’m wondering who this handsome young man is,” she coos flirtatiously, making me blush with embarrassment.

“Renn, this is Maven’s mother, Tova,” Tasha says, and they shake hands.

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