Page 72 of Come Break My Heart Again

Before I can respond, she’s flying through the air. The band around my chest tightens as she lets go of the rope and spins. She flips twice, then drops cleanly into the water. I finally exhale when she breaks through the surface and starts swimming toward the edge.

Tuck reaches out to grab the swing as it returns to shore. “I should have made that bet a hundred.”

I flip him off, but I’m pretty sure he’s too busy climbing on the tire to notice.

15

Aloud knock interrupts my deep breathing exercises.

“Elle! You said five minutes.”

“I know; I know,” I call back, scrambling to find my lip gloss in the bag of toiletries. “Almost ready.”

“Okay. We’ll be waiting outside,” Keira says.

I hear her footsteps fade away.

Crap. I didn’t realize I was actually holding things up.

I’d forgotten about the bar Keira had mentioned last night until it came up this afternoon. Everyone else was enthused about checking it out, so saying no didn’t seem like much of an option. Juliet came upstairs to get ready an hour ago, whereas I put it off until the last minute. Juliet is the type of extrovert meant to live in a big city like Boston. She loves going places and doing things, whereas I’m more of a homebody.

My level of enthusiasm about this weekend has also plummeted in Ryder’s presence.

I got through greeting him. Got through breakfast. He and Tucker headed down to the beach to surf as soon as the pancakes got finished. I hung out on the deck with the rest of the girls, painting nails and drinking tea, before heading into town to do some shopping. I bought a new top that I’m wearing tonight.When we got back here, there was no sign of the guys. According to Keira, they went to a brewery.

And now, we’re all headed to a bar.

A prospect I’m ridiculously nervous about. I don’t even know why. With the exception of Ryder, these are all people I’m comfortable around. And Ryder might have broken my heart—more than once—but he’s not a bad guy. Seven years seems like too long to hold a grudge for.

Then again, I’m not normal.

I find my lip gloss, slick a layer across my lips, and then release a long exhale as I appraise my appearance in the bathroom mirror.

I left my hair natural—if using product and my expensive hair dryer counts—and changed my jeans three times. Somehow, I feel both overdressed and underprepared.

Whyhas no one written a book about spending time around your ex, following an excruciating breakup and a seven-year absence? I’m flying blind here. Do I ignore him? Make polite chitchat? I have no idea what small talk with Ryderis. How do you discuss the mundane with someone you considered your soulmate?

I’m out of time to figure it out.

I slip Scout a treat in his crate, make sure I have my phone, and head downstairs. It’s empty, suggesting Iamthe last one ready.

Embarrassment joins the anxiety I’m already experiencing. I hate being the high-maintenance girl who takes forever to get ready and makes everyone else wait.

“We have to take two cars,” Keira tells me as I step out onto the front porch, where everyone is standing. “Do you mind driving?”

“No, of course not,” I say, pulling my keys out of my clutch.

“She does mind,” Juliet contradicts. “She needs to getdrunk. Girl just graduated Harvard Law with a perfect GPA. She hasn’t had fun in three years.”

I roll my eyes.

“I don’t mind driving home,” Avery says.

“Elle hates it when other people drive her car,” Juliet replies.

I choose this unfortunate moment to look at Ryder. He’s leaning against the railing, looking devastatingly gorgeous in dark jeans and a blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up. Ophelia is standing right next to him, beaming at Ryder like he’s the best sight she’s ever seen.

Something cold and slimy and unfamiliar slithers in my stomach.

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