Page 44 of Lost Petal

Chapter 25

J

“How can I hel—”

Her eyes widen when she sees me, freezing mid-motion, holding up her mud-drenched hands in front of her chest while I can almost see the gears working behind her forehead as she tries to make sense of me. I let the door close behind my back, taking another step toward, my eyes never leaving hers.

Her beauty has always mesmerized me, even when she was at an age when it shouldn’t have. I thought it would wear off, that enough time had passed for me to grow apart from her—realizing that while she may be pretty, she’s just another small-town girl. Charming, but nothing special.

But if anything, she’s grown even more beautiful in the past four years. Her hair grew out, and faint lines kiss the side of her temples when she laughs, marking a face that no longer features the chubby cheeks of a child or an adolescent girl.

I thought I’d know what to say once I was standing in front of her. Our history is long, and grounded deeper than she’s aware of, but still, I lack the words to greet the girl who’s been haunting my dreams ever since I was a boy.

“J-Jayson,” she stutters. “Oh my God, I didn’t... what...what—”

She laughs, brushing off her dirty hands on the green apron as she darts toward me. Rising up on her toes, she wraps her slim arms around my neck, welcoming me with an intimate, yet innocent, hug. I return the gesture, but my motions are not as carefree and natural as hers, slowed by caution as I embrace her, softly pressing her against my chest while inhaling her scent. She’s not a short girl, but she feels so small in my arms.

So small and so perfect.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, dissolving our hug way too early and putting more distance between us than I care for.

“I heard you were back in town,” I say, burying my hands in my pockets and widening my stance as I try to shake the need of wanting to be closer to her.

Fuck. She still possesses me. I can’t get rid of this fucking obsession, not even after years of separation.

She tilts her head to the side, beaming up at me through those irresistible green eyes. “Yes, but what an honor! To have the famous Jayson Bowlan come by for a visit.”

Her eyelashes flutter nervously as she casts me a shy look, a sweet smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “I’m surprised you even found the time. You must be so busy. You’re so sought after.”

I nod, trying to sound modest when I reply. “Yes, things are going well, but never too well to visit an old friend.”

Old friend. That must be the understatement of the year, and I can see in her eyes that she agrees with me. We’re so much more than old friends, but she has only a small idea of the things that truly connect us on a deeper level. Her smile is less genuine and overcast by a subtle shadow of sadness.

“No need to be so humble, Mr. Bowlan,” she says. “You’re like a rock star, more than just a local celebrity. I’ve read all about it. They call you a magician, did you know?”

“I never liked the term.”

She shakes her head. “Neither do I. It’s so... naive.”

Our eyes meet in a silent understanding. It makes me wonder how much she might remember. There should be nothing left, no gnawing pain that’s been torturing her for so long. But even before she left for college back then, I kept seeing those hints in her eyes, those dark flickers that seem to speak of things she shouldn’t be able to recall.

That connection we share. Our bond is so unique, and it kills me that she doesn’t even know about it.

In fact, there are only very few people who do—and one of them just happens to emerge from the back room of the shop. Robert’s eyes widen just like hers when he sees me, but his welcome is not as warm as hers.

A crease appears between his thick eyebrows when he looks at me.

“Jayson,” he grunts. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I lock him down with a warning gaze, silently reminding him to mind his place. I know he’d prefer for me to stay away from her, and he has every reason to do so. But he sure as hell won’t stop me from exchanging a few words with her, just to see how she’s doing. I need to know she’s doing okay. I need to know that things aren’t as bad as I fear them to be.

So far, I have not been reassured.

“I was in the area,” I lie, my gaze wandering back to her. “Just wanted to say hello to your daughter, since I heard she’s back in town.”

A coy smile scurries across her face, but it’s gone as soon as Robert plants himself next to her. His mere presence causes her to slouch and put a dimmer on her bright shining light. It drives me mad to witness it still, again. Nothing has changed. If anything, things seem to have gotten worse.

“So, you decided to work here after all?” I ask, clearly directing the question at her, but she’s not the one to respond. She’s just in the process of opening her mouth when Robert hurries to intervene.

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