Page 54 of The Thought of You

Maren’s shoulders tremble as we both burst into laughter.

“Fine,” I manage and inhale a steadying breath. “It’s not that I’m cynical. I just haven’t found the right guy who checks all my boxes.”

“Oh, God. Don’t tell me you have an actual checklist.”

“I don’t, and if I did, my mother would’ve burned it in a ritual in the woods to rid me of suppressing restrictions. Then she’d burn incense and ask the universe to drop several strapping young men into my lap because resigning myself to one guy is just too boring.”

“Sounds like a fun Friday night,” Maren jokes as she reaches behind her head to tighten her ponytail.

I put my own hair up around lunch. It reminded me of Rain gushing over how similar we look with my hair so long, and instantly, my stomach rolled.

But I had to tie up the strands. I couldn’t take the heat any longer, but the relief was minimal and short-lived. I could breathe more easily once Owen disappeared into the classroom for Health. Without his eyes following me, I cooled off almost instantly.

The ass.

“We should get out there.”

I blink toward Maren.

She toys with a piece of wood sticking up from the table, dangerously close to getting a splinter. “You haven’t gone out with anyone since Stewart, and I haven’t dated since like, the last swarm of cicadas took over Sapphire Creek.”

“Do you think those bastards altered some kind of cosmic energy? At this point, such a ridiculous notion might be the only explanation as to why I haven’t felt inclined to date anyone.” I roll my eyes. “I mean, it’s not a priority, but it’s just… no one’s made me feel all squirrelly and tingly.”

“Or hot. No one’s made me feel hot and bothered.”

“Me neither, except for—” I swallow his name to the depths of my soul.

Owen’s name nearly fell from my mouth, and I swear the sky grows darker, as if to warn me against such a colossal mistake.

“Except for Stewart?” she ventures, a doubtful arch in her brow. “There’s no way he did much for you.”

“He did nothing for me, if you catch my drift.” I lift the coffee cup for a sip. I need to wet my suddenly dry throat, and it’s a good thing this drink has cooled. The way I gulp it down could’ve really done some damage to my esophagus had it been scorching hot. “The guy was so selfish in bed. There was one time after happy hour when he was particularly frisky for some afternoon delight, and I literally didn’t feel a thing.”

If Maren were drinking anything, there’s a good chance it’d be sprayed all over me. “How is that possible?”

“You tell me.” I grimace.

That’s how it was with Stewart. In hindsight, we weren’t a good match for many reasons, but I ignored them all because I was tired of being alone. I especially overlooked our physical connection—or lack thereof.

We didn’t connect on any level, and it took me six months to come to terms with that, although he did help matters. It was what he said the last day I spoke to him that sent me over the edge, and for that, in a way, I’m thankful.

I could’ve dedicated another six months to him, and what a tragic way to waste more of my precious twenties.

“Like I said, we need to get out there,” Maren asserts. “I fear for my health. I’m experiencing the lady version of blue balls. Purple ovaries.”

I snort into my cup and nearly sneeze with the assault of the cinnamon on my nostrils.

“Nate’s moving back to town.”

I freeze. “There’s no way I heard you correctly…”

“That’s what he wanted to talk to me about the other night.” She breaks off the wooden piece from the table and turns it over between her fingers like a baton. “He wasn’t just in town for the reunion. Evidently, he was here to arrange his return to Sapphire Creek later this month. He closed on a house—his parents’ house.” She flicks her dark gaze up to meet mine, and the gravity registers with a force of a shower of bricks falling over us.

“But that’s next door to your house.” I gape.

“Exactly.” She blows out a heavy breath and chucks the miniature wood spear over her shoulder. “He and his daughter are going to be my new neighbors. Isn’t that just as sweet as pie?” Sarcasm drips from her tone.

“What about his ex-wife?”

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