Page 56 of The Two Last Moments

“If the emails came from there, maybe Travis lives somewhere nearby,” Lark says. “Someone could recognize his picture if we show it around.”

“If Travis lives an hour away from West Oaks, it kinda makes it worse. He’s that close and didn’t bother to get in touch?”

It’s like we’ve traded places. I’m playing the optimist, and Danny has turned into the pessimist. But maybe it’s because I’m butting intohislife now instead of the opposite.

“It’s a lead. Let’s just try. Can we go now?”

“Somehow, I knew you’d say that.” The corner of Danny’s mouth curves, and he runs the back of his finger down my cheek. Our eyes meet. Hold. My breath stutters in my chest.

Then his hand falls, and he takes a step back. Pretending that littlemomentdidn’t just happen, even though we’re both breathing hard.

“We can go this afternoon,” he says. “Starla’s here, and if she needs extra help, she can call Ryan or another sub.”

“Sounds good.” I head for my room to get ready and try to get my lungs going again.

* * *

Solvang might bethe most adorable town I’ve ever seen. That doesn’t say much because I haven’t been many places that I can remember. But still, it’s freaking cute. It was founded by Danish immigrants in the early twentieth century. We drive past quaint pastel buildings with exposed timbers that could’ve come straight from a fairy tale. There’s a white windmill, a clock tower, and old-timey lettering on the signs.

“You like it?” Danny asks.

“Love it. It feels familiar, but I could’ve seen places like this on TV. Have you visited here before?”

“Not for a long time.” His eyes trace the buildings as we look for a parking spot. “My grandparents took me here for my birthday when I was a kid. We stayed overnight, and I got Belgian waffles for breakfast. Travis came. I think it was his idea, actually. He had a thing for cute resort towns. Maybe your family took you here, too.”

“Maybe.”

We find a parking spot and set out to find the café. “If they sell Belgian waffles,” Danny says, “I’ll get you one. They’re really good here.”

I roll my eyes. “Is this another attempt to jog my memory through taste?”

I shouldn’t have mentioned that this place seems familiar. Danny’s been good the last few days about not mentioning my therapy orgetting better, but I should’ve known he wouldn’t give it up.

He sighs, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets. “That’s not what I’m trying to do. I just thought you’d like it. Lark, I…” Danny trails off without finishing.

I’m not sure I want to know what he was going to say.

We cross the street and turn a corner. “There it is,” Danny says. “Sugar & Yeast Café.”

I almost miss a step when I see the storefront. It’s got a bay window with blue wooden trim. A yellow and white sign with a drawing of a wooden spoon. Déjà vu overpowers me.

I know this place. I want to tell Danny, but I can’t get my voice to work.

He opens the door, and as soon as I step inside, a wave of butter and cinnamon envelops me, accentuated by the rich smell of coffee. My eyes go straight to the table in the corner. There’s a plant sitting on the windowsill behind it. And without even looking, I know there’s a vent in the ceiling, where cold air blows on hot days. I can taste the cinnamon latte. Feel the give of a computer keyboard beneath my fingers.

While this mini atomic bomb is going off in my brain, Danny is glancing around. He leans close to me. “Let’s order something, and we can show them Travis’s picture and ask if they know him.” He starts toward the counter, but I grab for his hand.

“Danny? I’ve been here before.”

Then the barista looks up at us and does a double-take. “Lark! Wow, long time, no see.”

21

When we walk in, it’s obvious there’s something going on with Lark. Her eyes are wide as she stares around the café.

Something about this place is familiar to her.

But I’ve resolved not to push her. So instead, I mention how cute this place is and say we should show them the picture of Travis. I don’t want to put too much pressure on her. She’s the one who reaches for my hand and says, “Danny, I’ve been here before.”

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