Page 64 of Come Break My Heart Again

Elle’s standing at the bottom of the staircase, wearing a pink silk pajama set. Her dark hair is loose around her shoulders, a little messy and a little wavy.

She looks different. More reserved and more composed than the last time I saw her. There’s no trust or warmth on her face—the way she used to look at me—just cool indifference.

She looks different, but she’s soElle. So achingly familiar. So perfectly unique. Exactly what I’ve looked for in so many faces that have never been quite right.

Technically, I’ve been home for two weeks.

This moment—standing in the kitchen of a house I’ve never visited before—is the first time I’ve felt it.

I jam my hands into my pockets, feeling like an awkward teenager. “Hi, Elle.”

“Hello, Ryder. Nice to see you.” Her tone is polite and inscrutable. Detached, like talking to me is an obligation. Like this conversation is simply an item on her daily to-do list.Greet Ryder—check.

“Nice to see you too.”

She stares at me for a second longer, and then her gaze drops to the dog at my feet. A flash of annoyance breaks through the mask. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s not thrilled her dog seems to like me.

Elle taps her thigh. “Scout. Come.”

The dog—Scout—bounds over to her, and she clips the leash she’s holding onto its collar. They walk toward the French doors that open out onto a large deck. Stairs lead down from the deck to the sand.

“Don’t take too long. Pancakes are almost ready,” Keira says.

Elle glances at her, and they hold a silent conversation I’m pretty sure involves me. I’m positive Keira gave her some warning I was coming. Elle’s a good actress when she wants to be, but notthatgood.

Keira starts offloading pancakes from the griddle, and Tuck passes out plates. Avery and Ophelia load up theirs, then return to the nook in the corner.

“I thought vacation was supposed to include sleeping in.” Juliet Mason strolls into the kitchen, wearing a pajama set very similar to Elle’s. Hers is an icy shade of blue.

“No one woke you up,” Keira tells her.

“Elle’s loud dog did.” Juliet glances at Tuck, then me. Her eyebrows fly upward. Apparently, my arrival wasn’t a group conversation. “What happened to girls’ weekend?”

“I never said it was a girls’ weekend.”

“Elle did. That’s why she didn’t bring Prescott.”

I take a sip of coffee. It’s no surprise Elle is dating someone. Hearing she is wasn’t supposed to feel like a swift kick to the stomach though.

“I told you Gavin was welcome,” Keira tells Juliet.

“I know.” Juliet looks at me. “Hi, Ryder.”

“Hi, Juliet.”

“Long time.”

I nod. “Yeah.”

Juliet studies me for a few more seconds, then grabs a plate.

I wander over to the doors that lead out onto the deck, staring out at the view. It’s stunning, sand and blue water stretching as far into the distance as you can see. Dancing blades of beach grass frame the bottom of the scene.

Elle’s standing close to the edge of the water, staring toward the horizon, while Scout runs circles around her. Her hair flies wildly in the wind. It’s shorter now than it was in high school, just brushing past the bottom of her shoulders.

“You forgot this on the counter.” Tuck approaches and presses the mug into my hand. He glances outside, noticing where I’m looking. “That went well.”

I nod.

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