Page 69 of One Touch

“Mmhm.” She smiled and took a sip of her tea. “When I met Mark, I told him he wasn’t marrying material, but if he wanted to try proving me wrong by dating me, I’d give him the chance.”

I snorted. “Sounds like something you’d say.”

Ivy shrugged unapologetically. “I had big plans for myself. I was going to move out of Washington and be a fashion model.”

“A model?”

Ivy slapped me. “Hey! I’m not ugly.”

I laughed. “It’s not that. I just never took you to care about fashion.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “I’d become obsessed with reruns ofAmerica’s Next Top Modeland was convinced I was America’s next hidden gem.”

“But you met Mark and stayed?”

“Oh, I went.” She chuckled. “I even got signed by an agent.”

“No way! I can’t believe I don’t know this.”

“You were busy with hockey, and I didn’t want to tell anyone until I made it.”

“So, what happened after you were signed?”

Ivy leaned across the counter and held my gaze. “I realized all the things I’d left behind. I thought I wanted out of this town, but it turned out I didn’t hate this place as much as I believed. The big city was exciting, but it was lonely. I didn’t know every person, and no one helped out their neighbor. I missed trading soaps for pastries, growing our own food, and celebrating the small things just as big. This place is me, and I could run from it all I wanted, but I’d inevitably end up back here. Mark knew that, too. We were inevitable from the moment we met. Nothing would’ve kept us apart. It just took me longer to realize it. I fought it hard, but in the end, I knew he was my forever.”

I swallowed. “What’s that have to do with me?”

“You’re different from me, than all of us Fahn siblings. Jonah was meant to take over the orchard and farm. It’s who he is at his core. Same for Tomas. And I’m sure Lottie will commandeer Mama’s pie booth once she’s old enough. But you were always dreaming off in the distance, and once I saw you on the ice, I understood. You fly when you’re skating. Hockey is who you are, Miller. We all knew that.”

I swallowed, but my throat was thick with emotion. I’d always felt invisible amongst my siblings, but to know they saw me for who I was… was more than I’d anticipated.

“I don’t know what the story is between you and your guy… but I can offer you my perspective as someone who loves you dearly.” Ivy came around the counter, wrapped her arms around me, and rested her head on my shoulder. “I’ve always believed that when you find your person, it will be like Mark and me. Inevitable. You love big, and you’re all in. It’s who you are. So if you have big feelings for someone, give them the chance to catch up. It took me almost a year before I could admit I didn’t want to be admired by the world but just by one man. So don’t despair, little brother. Not all of us are as solid as you, but we get there. How could we not when someone as amazing as you is waiting on the other side?”

I sniffed and wiped my eyes. “Thanks, Ivy.”

“Anytime, Miller. I mean it. You can call me more, too. We might not be as hip as the rest of the world here in Pearfolk, but we do have phones.”

I laughed. “All right. I promise.” She kissed my cheek just as the door opened, and her two kids ran into the kitchen, clambering for her attention.

Finishing my glass of orange juice, I slid off my stool and padded into the living room. Lottie, the youngest of the Fahn siblings, was perched on the couch with a folding table in front of her. The new beads I’d gotten her were spread out, and she cut the string.

“Can I join you?” I asked.

“Miller! Yes. Come see,” she said and patted the space next to her. Feeling lighter, I joined her in bracelet making. I didn’t realize the words I was spelling until I was halfway through…

Gulping, I finished it off with shaky hands and a hope that Ivy was right. That Lathan and I would be inevitable. So, I would hold on to this bracelet until I could give it to the man it belonged to.

I love you.

* * *

It was late, and the house was quiet. A few hours ago, Jonah and Ivy’s families had returned to their own homes, and Tomas had left to spend time with his partner’s family. My parents and Lottie had retired to bed, but I couldn’t seem to fall asleep. My head was full of a blond, blue-eyed man I missed. I checked my phone, but I still hadn't received any messages. Not that Lathan was a massive texter, to begin with, but the total silence was hard to swallow.

Did he not miss me? Was I not as important to him as I’d believed?

Ugh. I hated these thoughts. I wasn’t this type of person. So what if he didn’t miss me? I missed him and could take the first step to reach out.

Picking up my tablet, I settled back against my bed and hit the call button before I could talk myself out of it. The trill of the ringing was loud in my room. Just before it was set to time out, the ringing cut out, and the screen came alive.

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