Page 139 of The Thought of You

It’ll be all they’ll talk about for a while, at least. They do tend to sink their relentless claws into new rumors daily, so it would only be a matter of time before they forgot about Owen and me.

It doesn’t make the consequences easier to swallow, though.

Sable exhales, intertwining her fingers together at her waist. “But when it comes to a promotion in the future, you shouldn’t worry. Dating someone you work with isn’t against any policy, so it’s not like you broke a rule.”

I finally perk up when she says the word promotion—the main reason I wanted to keep my relationship a secret to begin with.

“Maybe no rules were broken, but I know such a thing can be severely frowned upon. I don’t want anyone to take me less seriously,” I lament.

Her eyes droop in the corners with a solemn frown. “This is a small town. Optics are important, but they’re not everything. You put your heart and soul into every part of this job, and it has not gone unnoticed. That counts for a lot.” She checks her watch. “I need to get to a meeting, but we can discuss this more over lunch this week.”

“I’d like that.” I swallow and glance back over to Owen, but he’s not there anymore. He’s nowhere in the gym, and I suddenly feel alone, like I’m the only person on an island.

I need him.

I need the comfort only he can offer.

Sable starts to turn but stops. “Switching hats again and speaking as your friend, I know this career is important to you, but we can’t control the future. Whether you get a promotion or not is never a sure thing, even if you hadn’t gotten involved with him, but Owen is real right now. I’d hate for you to walk away from someone who makes you so happy simply for a what-if. Some things in life are worth the risks.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as gratitude fills my weary body.

She didn’t freak out or give me the disappointed twist of her lips as she does when students are sent to the office.

I didn’t die under the crushing weight of the possibly horrendous outcome.

I’m still standing, even if it is alone.

I’ve been alone a lot in my adult life. When I was a teenager, I often felt alone. I’ve always had the best of friends, but having Owen in my corner was like fulfilling some destiny written in the stars for me.

It’s been one day with my mother, and I’m already talking like her.

Except this is true. He did fill a void I didn’t know existed.

Owen’s true right now, and if I don’t grab destiny by the shoulders and shake it, I’m going to end up cursed, just as Rain warned.

chapter

forty-four

OWEN

My phone flashes as I take a pull from my beer. It spills down my chin as I hurriedly reach for it, only to be disappointed it’s not from Addie.

NATE

You going to the Halloween party at the Tap tomorrow night?

I’m not in the mood for festivities. For once, I’m not in the mood for a good time.

Don’t think so. No costume.

Don’t you wear a costume every day, or is that just your face?

“Ass,” I mutter with a chuckle. It’s not a hearty one, but it’s better than the frown I’ve been wearing for the last few days.

I suck back another fizzy pull and sigh.

I went by Addie’s house last night after family dinner at my parents’, but she wasn’t home. According to her social media—a moment of stalking I was not proud of—she was celebrating Caroline’s move back to Sapphire Creek.

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