Page 12 of Unexpected Second Chance For Love

Austin studied the woman, who seemed very familiar. He ran through his long-buried memories of high school until recognition dawned.

“Sarah?” Damned if his sister hadn’t sent him to Griffin’s partner’s coffee shop. He made a note to yell at Breanna later.

Sarah tilted her head as if she was doing the same assessment of him. “Yes, do I know you?”

He took a deep breath. He couldn’t avoid the inevitable forever. Payton’s words from earlier came back to him. He knew she’d been right but wished it had taken longer for her prediction to come true.

“I’m Austin. Austin Rainger,” he added just in case his first name wouldn’t jog her memory.

“Oh my gosh, Austin!” Her voice carried over the conversations in the cafe and now he had no hope of flying under the radar.

Sarah came around the counter to give him a hug. “I’d heard you were back. It’s good to see you.”

Austin found himself returning her hug with tears welling in his eyes. The simple acceptance she’d offered meant more to him than she knew. At least there was one person in town who didn’t want to run him off. Two, counting Payton.

“It’s good to see you, too.” He didn’t know what else to say.

His gut clenched because under different circumstances he’d have seen Sarah between high school and now. They may have been friends, even.

“I’m married to Griffin now.”

“I know. Congratulations. Everyone always assumed you’d get together.”

Sarah’s laugh was as bubbly as he remembered. “It took longer than we expected. To be honest, I’d given up hope.”

There was that word again—hope. Austin wasn’t one to believe in signs but it was hard to ignore how much the word had crossed his mind in a few short hours.

“Griff can be stubborn but I’m glad he found his way back to you.”

The old nickname sounded rusty to Austin’s ears. He hadn’t said his best friend’s name out loud in longer than he could remember.

“That he can.” Sarah tugged his arm to pull him to the side of the counter where they had some privacy. “You should reach out to him. I think it’s time to mend fences.”

Austin shook his head. He glanced around the cafe and was relieved to find that everyone had returned their attention to each other and were no longer focused on him.

“I’m not sure Griff is ready.”

“Are you?” Sarah pinned him with an assessing look.

“I miss him,” he answered honestly. There really wasn’t more to say than that.

“I can talk to him,” Sarah began but Austin cut her off.

“Thank you, but he has to be willing on his own. I’ve reached out a few times over the years and he hasn’t responded. I don’t want to push him.”

“Well, I may not be able to fix things with you and Griffin, but I can make you a drink. What will you have?”

Austin glanced at the menu hung over the counter, which was full of complex sounding drinks. “Do you just have coffee?”

Sarah smiled broadly. “We do. We have brewed coffee and espresso. Or you could be bold and try the daily special.”

She pointed to sign next to her which read Huckleberry Latte.

“It’s been ages since I’ve had huckleberry.” Homesickness washed over him, even though he was already home. He’d managed to block those feelings for so long he’d become numb to them, but now that he was here, memories awaited around every corner. At least this one was a good one.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes. Thanks, Sarah. For everything.”

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