Page 21 of Unforgettable

I nod at her gratefully, and together the four of us head out of the house and across the road to the neighborhood play equipment.

When both children are safely buckled up in a swing each, Maddy looks at me, resting a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry they give you so much shit.”

A humorless laugh escapes my mouth. “I don’t know why I still let them get to me. I should be used to it.”

“You shouldn’t have to be used to it,” she says. “The unnecessary pressure they put on you to be something you’re not is ridiculous, Oz.”

She drops her hand and we both take a stand behind the kids and begin to push them.

“What if they’re right?” I ask, the vulnerability in my voice unmistakable. “What if I’ll never really find my way?”

“Don’t,” she scolds. “Don’t you dare start questioning your life. You are happy, Oz, and happiness is the destination. We’re not all supposed to have the same journey, because we’re all different. We’re all unique, in more ways than one.”

I exhale loudly out of my nose. “Is this just another therapy session for you?”

She quickly raises her hands up in surrender in between swings. “I’m just saying the truth. You are living the exact life you’re supposed to be living right now, no matter what that life looks like to people on the outside.”

“I’m not intentionally trying to get them offside,” I tell her. “This isn’t some kind of rebellious stage.”

“I think they know that, Oz, that’s why they’re worried. They want to help. You know they do. They just aren’t very good at articulating that.”

I stay silent, mulling over the last half an hour, because there really isn’t much more to say.

“How about we talk about something else,” she suggests. “Let me live vicariously through you and your sleep-filled nights and non-scheduled, uninterrupted s-e-x.” She spells the word as she glances at her two kids, then back up at me. “I know it’s not a bad word, but I don’t need them asking me about it or repeating it out of context.”

I chuckle. “Maybe these are all the reasons I should give Mom and Dad when they ask why I haven’t settled down.”

“For real,” she deadpans. “I’m spelling out every second word these days. Seriously, though. Give me something, any sliver of Oz Walker gossip.”

I make her wait patiently before a cheeky grin spreads across my face. “Well, you remember Reeve?”

“That shy guy you slept with?”

“The one and only.”

She nods.

“He got a job at Vino and Veritas.”

Her eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.

“I’m a freaking genius,” she gloats.

“Care to tell me what you’re talking about?”

Her smile widens by the second. “You should invite him to the wedding.”

6

Reeve

Sitting at the edge of the bar with a soda in hand, I look around Vino and Veritas while waiting for Murph’s shift to finish. It’s the closest our schedule has been all week, so we’re supposed to be celebrating with dinner.

It’s only been a little over a week, but working with Murph is one of the many reasons I love my job at Vino and Veritas. Working in the bookstore has made me happier than I’d ever anticipated. Yes, it’s nice to finally be able to contribute to bills and groceries using my money instead of money from my parents, but it’s also the people and, more importantly, the books.

I feel comfortable here, welcomed. For the first time in a long time, life is slow and uncomplicated. For the first time in a long time, I feel like me.

---