Page 42 of My Almost Ex

Saturday morning, I finish packing my bag and bring it downstairs to the reception area of the inn.

Mandi’s behind the desk and she smiles at me. “Ready to go home?”

“I am, but don’t let Adam hear you say home.”

She frowns. “He’s running late. Got called in last minute to assist with something at work. How about breakfast?” She steps away from the welcome stand.

Mandi still has red hair and curves, exactly as I remember. Though I haven’t caught a glimpse of her mischievous smile yet, I’m sure that probably hasn’t changed either.

“Oh, he didn’t call me.”

She tilts her head. “He didn’t? Does he not have your number?”

“He does.”

Her hand runs down my back. “You know Adam. He probably wanted to make sure I took care of you.”

“Yeah. Sure.” We both know that’s not the case.

Two days ago when he took me to where he proposed, or what I gather was more or less our spot, I felt how much it hurt him to do so. He could barely look at me while he told me the story of how he proposed. How I ruined it by running into the water. Between that and what Amy from Twisted Stem said, I’m not sure I like my old self a whole lot. It sounds as though I had a habit of railroading Adam and doing what I wanted, then expecting him to go along with it.

“Come on. Francois made a delicious breakfast this morning. Little soufflés with whatever you want in them.” Mandi picks a table by the window that overlooks the bay and sits across from me. “I can join you for a little bit before duty calls.”

A waiter comes by and I give him my order for a soufflé.

“So Francois, huh? You have a French chef?”

“His name is Frank, and he’s middle-aged and born and bred here in Alaska, but he’s just as bossy as a French chef. Or as bossy as I can imagine one being.” She laughs. “He’s also brilliant in the kitchen. I’ve had him for three years and I get so many customers who come back every season for him alone.”

I love that she talks to me as though I shouldn’t already know what she’s telling me. Mandi was only a grade ahead of us, so from what I’ve gathered from the few new memories that have popped up, we were close. I can remember hanging out with her and Chevelle at the Greene’s house.

“Be on the lookout for my mom, because she’s on a mission to talk to you.” She sips the coffee the waiter brought over.

“Really? Why?”

“Because my mom loves you, but she doesn’t want to bombard you.”

“I’d like to see her again.” I always felt very close to Adam’s family. I remember that much. “I’m still trying to remember everything. It’s weird how I can remember that Adam is my husband, but not how he proposed or our wedding.”

“You’ll get there. I’m sure of it.”

I nod as the waiter brings over my soufflé. It smells and looks delicious. “I see why you keep him.”

“Wait until you taste it, then you’ll really know.” She slides her hand into her pocket. “Hey, let’s trade numbers.” She pulls out her phone and her thumbs hover over the screen. “What’s your number?”

I tell her and she types it in. I hear my phone buzz in my purse a few seconds later.

“There, now you have mine. Nikki really wants to apologize to you by having a girls’ night.”

“Apologize?” I ask, the soufflé melting in my mouth. I point my fork at the soufflé. “You weren’t kidding.”

“Heaven, right? For telling the townspeople to stop you and tell you stories. Jed said Fran and her gang were trying to ambush you the other day.” She cringes.

I nod. “Yeah. But I don’t blame her. She’s just trying to help.”

“Oh, you should make her pay for it.” She laughs.

“Spoken like a true sister,” I say, cutting more soufflé and eating it.

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