Page 29 of The Thought of You

More people filter through the chili line, dividing me from Sable and DeDe, and I attempt to get back into place for my own bowl.

The line is twice as long as before—great.

Shoulders slumped, my gaze involuntarily lands on Owen again. The mystery woman leans into him, giggling into her palm like he’s just so hilarious.

When the storm hit, he led her inside, his jacket slung around her shoulders. What’s completely bonkers is that she probably thinks he’s so chivalrous, but what about the rest of the town? Who helped Mrs. Marilyn and old Gus inside? I did. I’m the one who thought about the whole group and not my arm candy for the month.

“Who are you staring at?” Maren sneaks up on me.

“Hmm? What? Nothing. I’m contemplating a new… paint color.” Squaring my shoulders, I rush to add, “The walls of this cafeteria have not been touched up since we were seniors here, and it’s just a crime against this building. It’s been so good to us, and look how we treat it. It’s tragic.”

She squints at me, then turns to face Owen. “It’s scary how serious I know you are, but also, that’s not the whole truth. What’s going on?”

“You’re too damn good of a friend and see right through me.”

“It’s a gift.” She shrugs.

“Owen and that girl have been glued at the hip all night.”

“And that bothers you because…” She pauses with a question in her tone.

“Because he’s always just around for a good time. He never lends a hand. Yet he’s Principal Weathers’s favorite all because they’re both obsessed with baseball. I can play baseball too, I’ll have you know. I’m athletic as hell.”

“Honey, please don’t take this the wrong way. You’re good at many, many things. You’re good at scheduling and bossing people around?—”

I hold a finger up. “I’m a leader.”

“Yes, and you’re the best in the biz. But the only physical activity you’re good at is dancing. Baseball requires a level of hand-eye coordination you do not possess.”

I gasp. “I could be good at baseball if I tried.”

“The only sliding you do is when you stumble over a parking block.”

“That was one time, and those things are hazards!”

The corners of her eyes crinkle, and she purses her lips like she’s fighting a smile.

Sighing, I give in. It’s futile to argue with her when she’s so right. I wouldn’t know what to do with a baseball bat even if a million dollars were at stake.

“Hey, did you leave dinner on my doorstep last night?”

“No.” She pinches her brows together. “Someone left you dinner? That’s thoughtful.”

“It was, and I’d like to thank the person responsible. There was no note, though.”

“I’m intrigued.” She leans in. “Could it have been Caroline?”

“Possibly.” I scan the room, but there’s no sign of her. She’s the kind of woman who sticks out in a crowd, so I’d definitely spot her easily. “Have you seen her tonight?”

“Not since the parade. I don’t see Austin here, either. Was it him?”

“Doubtful.” I chew on my bottom lip as my eyes find Owen for the millionth time tonight. What is up with that? It’s like he’s the south pole of a magnet, and I’m the north. We’re polar opposites, for sure, but the principle of being drawn to each other should not apply here.

But I can’t tear my gaze away. He’s laughing with Bond, and the girl from before is nowhere to be found.

“Are you staring at Owen again?”

I whip my head to my outrageous friend. “As if,” I say, exaggerating the words like Alicia Silverstone in one of our old favorite movies, Clueless.

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