Page 68 of (Un)Planned

After my mother’s visit, I spent almost an hour on the phone with Theo, catching up on everything that had happened over the last month. Honestly, even after talking it through, I was surprised that my mother had come here. She never admitted when she made a mistake, never talked about our father. It was like seeing the woman behind the mask and not knowing if I could believe the sight. Only time would tell if she meant what she said.

But I had to admit, realizing how much she loved my father did soften me a little to her situation. My heart had broken just because Theo moved away. I couldn’t imagine what I’d do if something happened to him. Would I be the same person after that?Probably not.And while it didn’t excuse any of her actions, grief made people act in unusualways. All I could hope was that she found a way to work past it and make amends with the people in her life.

As I stretched in bed, my phone started to ring on the end table. I pulled it closer, seeing Alex’s name. I frowned as I slid the bar to answer the call. “Everything okay?”

“No,” she sighed. “One of our cabins’ pipes leaked, and it's completely flooded. Cole’s starting to work on it now, but it's kind of an all-hands-on-deck situation. Can you come help?” she asked. “Pretty please? I would love you forever.”

“Of course I will,” I chuckled. “Give me a little bit to look more human, and then I’ll be on my way.”

The drive to Fox Creek was a quick one, and even though my body was rioting at the thought of manual labor, I was more than happy to help my friends. When I was living with them last year, I’d gotten a first-hand look at all of their ideas for improving the campgrounds. It was amazing to see it all finally coming together, even if Alex was cursing the plumbing right now.

When I pulled up to the main lodge, I looked around, noticing that no other cars were waiting in the lot, not even Cole’s work truck. I shook my head. Maybe he’d run out to get supplies. Considering that the closest Home Depot was thirty miles away, he’d be gone for a while.

I knocked on the office door when I heard Alex on the other side. She came out, closing the door behind her. “Ugh, thank you for coming out so fast.” She pulled me into a hug. “This has been the longest fucking morning of my life.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I chuckled, holding her closer for a moment. “At least it’s just one cabin, right?”

“Yeah…” She sighed. “But selfishly, I’ve always loved number nine. That’s the one that overlooks the lake just right, so you get that great sunrise in the morning.”

I stalled, remembering that sight all too well. That wasthe cabin Theo and I shared when we came up for the soft opening. It felt like a lifetime ago when I bared my soul for him and he promised to catch me every time. It was the first time I realized I was falling in love with him.

I shook my head, pulling myself out of the memory. “Hey, where’s Cole? I didn’t see his truck outside.”

Alex’s face blushed, and then she chuckled a little too loudly: “It isn’t. That’s weird. Maybe he ran out to grab a few tools from his boss or something.”

“Are you okay?” I asked, placing my hand on her forehead. “You’re turning all shades of red.”

“I’m fine,” Alex snapped, glancing down at her phone. She sighed, pulling me toward the back porch. “But how are you? You know, after everything with Theo?”

“We actually talked last night.” I sighed, smiling to myself. “And we both agreed that trying to stay apart wasn’t working. With any luck, we’ll get to see each other soon, but it still hurts, you know? Like I’m missing a major piece of myself because he’s not here with me.” I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. “The long-distance thing is going to be hard, but hopefully, it’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure you have nothing to worry about on that front,” Alex said as we approached the cabin. As I looked at the stoop where I found Theo that night months ago, a tear threatened to spill from my eye, but I pushed it down, refusing to break down again.

“Shit,” Alex hissed, patting her pockets dramatically. “I forgot a couple of things in the office. You head in; I’ll be right back.”

I scrunched my face, “Why are you being so weird today?”

She rolled her eyes. “Just…ignore me. Get your ass in that cabin before I drag you in there.”

“Would love to see you try,” I muttered under my breath as I stepped up the stairs and Alex ran off toward the main house. At least there weren’t any signs of damage out here. I would have hated for them to have to knock down any of their cabins, but to see this one go would have broken me, not to mention Alex and Cole. While I had some incredible memories tied to this place, it was their baby.

I pushed open the door, trying to mentally prepare myself for the damage. To my surprise, once I stepped inside, not only was there not any damage, but candles and vases of wildflowers covered almost every single surface. I glanced around, trying to let my brain catch up with the sight in front of me. Looking over at the bed, I spotted an envelope set on the mattress, the light blue color calling to me. I grabbed it, smiling when I recognized the terrible handwriting.

To a lifetime of more nights together.

I held the card to my chest, wishing I was holding Theo close instead. Shutting my eyes, I replayed all of the memories we’d made together, from his smile down to the subtle scent of his cologne. I was just about lost to the past when a pair of arms looped around my middle, pulling me into a hard chest.

But before I could make sense of what was happening, a low chuckle came from behind me. “Did you really think I’d be willing to wait to see you again?”

I squeezed my eyes even tighter, hoping I was truly awake. Because I knew that voice, knew it better than my own. It had spelled its way into my heart, and even after weeks apart, it hadn’t lessened its hold. I slowly turned, forcing my eyes open. When I did, I was met with the same dark-colored gaze that haunted my dreams, the ones I reached for but could never quite grab.

“Theo?” I asked, pressing my hands to his chest. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for you, beautiful.”

My eyes darted between his, unsure how to process what was happening right now. “But you’re supposed to be in London. The job–”

“Doesn’t matter to me.”

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