Page 5 of It's Not Home Without You

“Here you go. It’s a cookies and cream mocha.”

When I took a sip of the beverage, it was like being reborn again. “This drink is fantastic!” I raved, making Emma blush.

“Do I know you?”

I considered lying for a second, but I braved it out.

“It’s me, Freya Pratt.” I stuffed my mouth with more cookies and mocha to avoid awkward silence, but there was none.

“Oh my God, I knew you looked familiar.”

I smiled, not knowing what else to say. I stepped aside while she took care of her other customers.

“How long are you in town for?”

“For a while,” I replied vaguely. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m going to go before my grandpa decides to leave me.” I waved bye and walked out like my ass was on fire. I needed to get all my stuff before I ran into someone I didn’t want to see. Gossip spread fast in a small town. It was like playing telephone; by the end, the story was so far from the truth. I could just imagine. They’d probably add a husband and a pregnancy or make me out to be a mistress with a sugar daddy.

Grandpa was already waiting for me in the truck. Assoon as I climbed in, he muttered something about coffee not needing to be all fancy-schmancy. I disagreed but didn’t comment. When we stopped at the supermarket, he decided to wait in the car. Figured.

I was on the meat aisle when the unfortunate happened. That unfortunate had a name—Jana Moore. I know I said the past was the past, but there was a type of history that just clung to you.

“Love the outfit, very chic. If I weren't carrying around a beach ball in my stomach, I would copy that look.”

I was weighing my options. I could ignore her and pretend like she didn’t exist, and that would make me feel better, but only for a bit. If I was planning on staying in Sunny Pines for a while, being amicable with Jana, one third of the town’s darlings, would be essential. So, I plastered on the same fake smile I gave Ashton when I told him to go fuck himself before I ran out of our loft.

“Thank you. Fashion is my job.” Or was part of my job. I took my vacations and paid time off; beyond that, I had no idea what I was going to do, but I was not going to think on that right now. “Jana, you’re glowing. Pregnancy suits you.” That wasn’t so much of a lie. She did look stunning. If you were to look at her from behind, you wouldn’t even guess she was carrying. She was dressed cutely in a long maxi skirt and a V-neck blouse.

“Oh my God! Freya Pratt… you look… good. I have no words… wow.”

Bitch.

Of course, I didn’t say that out loud. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from telling her off. She, Abigail, and Juliet where never nice to me.

“God, it's been how long? Almost a decade. Time sure flies by.” Jana looked me up and down, and I had to admit it felt good. She probably couldn’t believe the chick she made fun of all through high school and called trash was standing in front of her and she complimented her outfit. As fun as this trip down memory lane was, I wanted to leave.

“It was lovely to see you, Jana. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“Of course. What else is there to do in a small town? Wait, are you back because of the wedding?”

My stomach dropped at the W-word, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

“Excuse me?” I said against my better judgment, a part of me knew I did not want the answer to that particular question. Yet, I couldn’t help but ask it. Jana’s glee left for a second, then she waved it off.

“Oh, nothing, just you know, Abigail Newton is getting married. The whole town is invited. You know how it is, the Newtons like to do everything big.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Jana about her and Gary Newton. They were high school sweethearts, but if she was a Newton, then whatever I said could get back to Abigail. Like the Dunnetts, the Newtons were wealthy. The difference was that none of the Newtons had any redeeming qualities; both offspring were arrogant, prepotent assholes.

“See you around, Jana.” I made a hasty exit. I wasn’t in the mood for any more encounters. I was drained and needed another one of those delicious coffees, but I knew Grandpa wasn’t going to be in the mood to drive back so I could get my fix.

CHAPTER FOUR

Seventeen years old

Haveyou ever felt a pull toward a person, a pull you couldn’t explain? I had, and it was driving me crazy.

My brother Prescott was in the back smoking with his friends while Juliet was in the pool house because it was too cold outside for her liking. Wasn’t being outside the whole point of having a bonfire? Juliet didn’t seem to care, and I was glad because that meant Nikki was with her and not plastered to my side. Nikki had thought of me as her boyfriend ever since she decided to sneak into my room one night when she was having a sleepover with Juliet. I was stupid for fooling around with Nikki. I’ve always been more reserved than Prescott, and when Nikki offered like most teenage guys I took. I know it sounds like a dick thing to say but compared to Freya she didn’t mean anything. Sure, it was cool to get some experience except the whole time I wasmortified my little sister was going to walk in looking for her friend.

I wasn’t like my brother, who had an easy time getting girls with our family’s wealth and his Adonis face. Me, I always had a hard time trying to figure out the right thing to say or do. Prescott was the only one who didn’t have a hard time living up to the Dunnett legacy. Often my father and I clashed because I didn’t agree with his ideas.

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