Page 27 of Since the Day We Kissed

Phil chuckled. “Easy there, big fella. That’s your lot for now. Don’t want to ruin your actual breakfast, do we?”

Ethan smiled, touched by Phil’s thoughtfulness. “Thanks, Phil.”

“Don’t mention it. Now, better fuel up. Sounds like Ada’s got quite the day planned for you.”

As the aroma of his meal wafted up, Ethan dug in. Meanwhile, Ada’s voice became a steady backdrop, prattling on about everything that had changed—and everything that hadn’t—in Hadley Cove.

Ada bounced to her feet the moment Ethan’s fork hit the empty plate. “Perfect timing! Ready to head out?”

“Sure, Ada.” Ethan rose slowly, shooting Ada a pointed look. “Just remember, I won’t be able to stay long. I’ve got lots to—”

“Oh, details, details,” Ada said, flapping a dismissive hand. She steered him towards the door, patting his arm. “A couple of hours, tops. You’ll hardly notice the time fly.”

Ada darted forward with unexpected agility, her red glasses sliding down her nose with each quick step. Her silver hair bobbed as she practically dragged Ethan toward his truck. Suppressing a groan, Ethan followed her into the warm summer air, and Hero padded alongside them, oblivious to the fact that Ethan’s day was now far from his own.

The short walk to the truck was filled with Ada’s chatter. As they reached the vehicle, Ethan opened the passenger door with a smile, holding it for Ada. She climbed in with a small grunt, brushing off her floral-print blouse, her perfume wafting around him like a cloud. Hero leaped into the back seat, settling in.

Ethan shut the door and rounded the front to the driver’s side with a resigned sigh.

Ada ran a finger along the dashboard. “Well, well. This old beast is still kicking, huh?” Her gaze roamed over the weathered interior. “Ain’t this the same truck from your wild days? I swear I can still hear you boys gunning the engine, thinking you were hot stuff.”

The door’s familiar groan as Ethan settled behind the wheel brought a flood of memories. He chuckled. “She’s not pretty, but she gets me where I need to go.”

Ada settled back, her eyes twinkling. “I can still see you boys tearing down Main Street like you were kings of the road.” She patted the dash fondly. “Can’t believe you’ve held onto her all this time. Some things stick with us, don’t they?”

Ethan’s fingers traced the steering wheel’s worn grooves. “Yeah,” he murmured, more to himself than Ada. “Some things stay with you forever.”

Ada’s finger jabbed at the windshield. “Hang a right at the end here, then your first left. Big signs everywhere—even you can’t get lost.”

He made a right turn, following Ada’s directions. But when he was about to make a left, he realized he couldn’t. The parking lot was full of people, large tents, food trucks, and all sorts of things going on. So, he pulled off to the side of the road and parked.

Ethan eyed the bustling street. “Looks like walking from here. Here, let me give you a hand.”

Jumping down from the truck, he ran over to the other side and helped Ada out, then took Hero out of the back.

As they crossed the road, Hero’s ears perked up at the cacophony of barking and excited chatter. It was more like a fair than an adoption day.

Ethan looked up at the name painted in big letters across the entrance:Second Chance Animal Rescue.The perfect name for a place like this, or so he thought to himself.

Before he could take a few more steps, a familiar figure at the edge of his vision caught his attention. It was the young woman from the accident.So, she is okay?

The young woman’s brow furrowed when he approached, a hint of recognition dawning in her eyes. “Hey, don’t I know you?”

9

Kara

“Hey,Mom!”Karafelta gentle tap on her shoulder and turned away from the table. Charlotte was standing there, her eyes gleaming. “I’d like you to meet someone.”

Kara’s gaze flickered to the man standing beside Charlotte, and her breath hitched.

“This is Ethan. He was there last night, called for help and everything. Crazy, right?” She crouched, her hand outstretched to the dog next to him. “Oh, and this beautiful boy is Hero! My Hero, yes you are, who’s a good boy?”

Seeing him again felt like someone had shaken her awake from a long-forgotten dream.

Kara’s heart pounded as she tried to make sense of it all—Ethan, standing there, as if the years hadn’t passed. But they had. Twenty-two years, full ofwhat ifsandcould’ve beens.

“Oh ... hey,” Kara managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes locked onto Ethan’s, unable to look away as her hand blindly reached behind her, fumbling for a brochure on the table, fingers clenching around the paper, the glossy finish crinkling as she absorbed the sight of the unexpected duo before her.

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