Page 72 of Love Fast

I exhale as I step out into the fresh Colorado air. I look up into the bright blue sky and smile. Sending back that ring feels powerful. I made that decision. Not out of fear—which is what drove me to bolt from the wedding—but because I don’t want to marry Frank. I never did. And he deserves the ring back.

I stuff my hands back into my pockets and head to the diner. As I pass by Snail Trail, I glance in, see Marge, and give her a wave. Her face brightens and she waves back.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at home somewhere, despite living in the trailer park my entire life.

I get to the diner and slide into the booth closest to the door, avoiding the one I sat in with Byron, even though the view of the mountain would be better from there.

Rachel comes over, and I order a hot chocolate and the waffles with fresh berries without thinking twice. The description on the menu reads,Because if it comes with fruit, it can’t be bad for you, right?I’m getting better at making my own decisions, though in fairness, waffles at the diner are an easy choice.

The door behind me opens, and I know without having to turn around that it’s Byron. I close my eyes. Will he come over? Say hi? I so desperately want him to slide in opposite me and make me laugh. Make me see myself the way he sees me—someone with potential. A woman who could be with a man like him.

He places an order for hot chocolate, turns, and sees me. Our eyes lock and energy jolts through my body like I’m touching a live wire.

“Hey,” I say.

His eyes search my face, like he’s looking for instructions on what he’s supposed to do now.

“You wanna join me?” The words are out of my mouth before I can think of the consequences. Do I want him so close by? And with staff from the Club in town, I don’t need people to see me chatting with the owner like we’re friends.

“I actually have to get to the vet to pick up Athena.”

My eyes widen. “She came back? When? Where’s she been?”

He grins at my tumble of words. “She’s been pretty secretive about her movements since we last saw her. Can’t get her to talk about it.” He smooths his palm over his stubble, and I close my eyes in a long blink, remembering what he feels like.

We grin at each other like the other person is chocolate and we’re desperate for a bite. I wonder how many people know this funny side of Byron.

Then the rest of his words register. “But she’s at the vet. Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” he says. “I got her checked out, vaccinated, and microchipped.”

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. “You’re going to keep her?”

“I made a promise,” he says. “We’ll figure it out.”

I let his words seep in, staring at him as he stares at me.

Rachel calls Byron’s name for his hot chocolate, interrupting us.

He takes his cup and raises it. “Have a good day, Rosey.”

I watch him go and can’t ignore the ache in my chest. I want to burrow deep in his plaid shirt and snuggle into him. I want to kiss him for so long, the skin on my face gets chapped and raw. I want to share hot chocolate and listen to his stories of New York. I miss him.

Rachel interrupts my pity party by sliding a plate of hot waffles in front of me. “You going to be at this party Byron’s throwing?” she asks.

“What party?”

That’s when she tells me about the party for Star Falls residents at the Colorado Club. I glance out the window and see Byron heading into the vet. I can’t help but smile. Good for him. Byron’s stopped running. Slowly but surely, he’s finding his way back home. It must be a nice feeling to belong to a place like this.

“Oh,” I say. “I’m not really a resident anymore, I guess.”

“Haven’t you learned anything?” Rachel says, nodding in Byron’s direction. “Once you’re a resident of Star Falls, we’re not so quick to let you go.” She smiles at me. “I’m not sure whether I’ll go. I don’t want my boss to think I’m up there scouting for work. I did tell my niece in the next town she should think about applying. I hear the money’s good, right?”

“Yeah,” I say. “It’s decent money, and the shuttle makes it easy to get into town.”

“I told her about the bus. She’s going to apply today. I hope she gets it. Byron’s alright. He’s probably a good guy to work for.”

“He’s a really good guy,” I say.The best I’ve ever known.

---