Page 13 of Aisle Come Back to You

“Speaking of Max…” he trails off, seeming to consider whether or not this is a topic he wants to broach. “Are you really thinking about getting back with him when you leave?”

I shrug one shoulder and turn to look out the window. “I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

“It just seems…” he hesitates. “I don’t know. I just don’t get the two of you together. Well, I mean, I get it to a certain extent since you both seem to be free spirits and have some similar passions, but if all you do is fight and break up, why stay with him? Why put yourself through that?”

“Like I said, it’s complicated. Sure, we fight, but we have our good moments too. Plus, he keeps things exciting, and well, you know me, I’ve always needed a little bit of excitement in my life. I don’t do well with monotony.”

“There’s a big difference between monotony and something that’s functional and healthy. Please tell me that you know that?” he begs, doing his best to sound playful, but it’s obvious he’s concerned. I can’t say I blame him either, if he or Ronnie keptdating someone who constantly cheated on them, I’d definitely have something to say about it too.

“What about you and Jenny?” I ask, turning the tables onto him.

His eyebrows knit together. “What about us?”

“I don’t know. What happened? Why did things end?”

I ultimately know it’s not my business, but clearly I’ve always had an issue with boundaries. Plus, the last time I saw the two of them was when they were having their first dance together, lovingly gazing into each other’s eyes, clearly madly in love.

“I don’t know if I can blame it on any one thing. I just…I don’t think we were right for each other. Yes, we loved and cared about one another, but all the passion was gone. Instead of enjoying each other’s company, it was like we were just tolerating each other, and that’s not a life I want to live. I don’t want to just tolerate the person I’m with. I don’t want to settle. There needs to be passion and excitement, and recently, or not so recently, all of that was missing, and I know she felt that too.”

“So was it you who ended things then?” I ask, knowing that I’m crossing a line, or at least walking dangerously close to one, but it’s something I desperately need to know.

“I brought it up first, but in the end, it was something she agreed with too. We both knew that things weren’t working.”

“So, Ronnie had mentioned this being a separation, does that mean that there’s a possibility for any sort of reconciliation?” I ask, holding my breath. It shouldn’t matter. This no longer affects me, but I’m overcome with an overwhelming need to know where he stands, even if it’s about something I’m no longer entitled to.

When I did what I did at his wedding and cut off contact afterward, I gave up all the rights I once had as a friend to know the intimate details of his life, but now, being in such close proximity, I’m feeling all mixed up. So many of the amazingmemories we shared together have come flooding back these past few days, giving the illusion that we could possibly have what we once had, but I get that it’s nothing but a pipe dream—he owes me nothing, and rightfully so.

“I wouldn’t say there’s no chance of that happening, but I’m pretty sure we’re both on the same page. Last time we spoke, she requested more space and seemed to want and need this separation more than I did.”

I’m not entirely sure what answer I was looking for, but the mere idea of a reconciliation between him and Jenny is like a dagger to my heart, reopening the wound I’d so desperately hoped was healed. I should want him to be happy, even if that means he lives happily ever after with someone else, but the thought of it feels like too massive of an undertaking. I’m not that strong, and clearly, I’m not that good of a person. Perhaps it was for the best that I left and cut off contact, since I have to imagine he’s been much better off without having selfish little ol’ me around.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize again, not sure what exactly I’m saying sorry for, but even so, this time, it actually feels genuine.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault,” he says, his voice fading into silence as I do the same, the air growing heavy between us.

Luckily, the drive from Pete’s place isn’t too far from my brothers. Then again, when you’re in Evergreen Grove, nothing is too far away.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say, unbuckling my seatbelt as he pulls into the parking lot.

“You want me to walk you up?” he asks, slowing the car down as he seems to debate with himself about whether he should park or if he should just pull up in front of the stairs.

“I can thankfully walk myself up tonight,” I laugh, brushing a long strand of hair behind my ear before reaching for the handleonce he’s come to a complete stop. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

He nods. “You’ll see me tomorrow.”

I know I shouldn’t care either way, especially after our intense conversation about his heartbreak and my potential reconciliation with my ex. However, a fire kindles low in my stomach at the thought of seeing him again, and so soon.

I’m only supposed to be here for a few weeks, and while I had initially hoped that our paths would rarely cross and we’d only have to be in each other’s company for the bare minimum, I exasperatingly catch myself longing for more.

“Good.” I smile one last time as I maneuver myself up and out of the seat. With a final wave, I shut the door and walk toward the stairs, closing my eyes and wrinkling my nose.

Despite all the giddy butterflies floating around in my stomach, this isn’t healthy. I’d been so convinced that I’d overcome my silly, childish crush on my best friend long ago, but now I’m starting to realize that some habits are impossible to shake. He’s an addiction that I’m not sure I’ll ever get past. Maybe I’m a lot more like my father than I’d care to admit.

8

Blair

“Okay, wow!” I exclaim,completely taken aback as my mouth falls open in awe. My best friend is drop-dead gorgeous. There’s no denying that, but there’s a certain significance that comes along with seeing your best friend in her wedding dress for the first time—it’s a moment I know I’ll never forget.

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