Page 59 of Buried Roots

Dakota stares ahead for a beat. “I don’t know. I think I’m all messed up. I mean since Owen’s moved back. He’s the one who got away. You know?”

Prickles of shame rise to the surface of my skin, and I swallow hard. “I get that.”

Memories of Owen and me in the shower, on the lookout point, in my bed each night, come rushing back, all in a big, steamy blur. This is why I said I was going to stay away from him, but I didn’t. I let our raging attraction pickle my brain, and now I have to fess up.

Dakota sighs. “You do get it. Because of Seth.”

More guilt. “Wow, you already know so much about me.”

“I pay attention. So, would you want Seth back? If you had the chance?”

I think about the way Owen makes me feel, and how, in retrospect, Seth doesn’t compare. “I don’t think I would. But if you’d asked me that a month ago, I would’ve said maybe.”

“What changed?”

Owen. And I have to tell her that, except I need a moment to think this through because I don’t want to screw up Dakota and Owen’s chance together after I leave. What if I tell her, and she can’t forgive Owen? And then I’m gone? What good is that to anyone? “Maybe it’s just that time away from Seth has allowed me to see that it was right to end things. We didn’t have that fiery connection.”

“I hear you. Owen and I used to have that. We don’t at this moment, but I don’t know if that’s just because we’ve been apart for so long. And now that he’s back…” She sighs. “I guess I’d like some time to see if that spark returns, you know?”

My heartstrings are in a shredder, and I’m furious at myself. “Makes perfect sense,” I say, because it does, and she has every right to have that. Ihaveto tell her—I can’t be this two-faced person who’s nice to her and then is secretly standing in the way of who she wants to be with. After I explain what’s happened, I’ll make sure she knows it all doesn’t matter because Owen and I are temporary. I’m still leaving, and he’s still never leaving. I gnaw at my lip, thinking of how to tell her when they bring out our food. “About that—“

Sissy sets both our plates down in front of us, and Dakota’s eyes go round and bright. “Thank you, Sis—I’m starving.”

The food looks amazing, but my appetite has vanished. Since Dakota’s clearly anxious to eat, I’ll tell her after.

After sprinkling everything with the cayenne I carry in my purse, I take a small bite of the burger that’s overflowing with lettuce, pickles, onions, and ketchup. I’m sure in a different moment, it would be delicious. But right now, it takes all I have to swallow it down and say, “Good.”

“Mmm.” Is all Dakota can manage with a mouthful.

While we eat, I notice Levi sitting in the corner of the bar, all by himself, and he keeps eying me. That kid makes me uncomfortable, to put it mildly, so I turn to Dakota and say, “After we eat, you want to go outside?”

“Yes, definitely.”

The second we take our last bite, I say, “Look. I really need to talk to you.”

She puts a finger up. “Hold on. Let me get us another round, then we can take them outside and talk there.”

“Okay.” That’s actually a better idea. It’ll be more private. WithoutLevi.

Outside, the warm evening breeze feathers my face. I wouldn’t mind coming here all the time. We take a seat at a table under an umbrella beside four large vats of beer. “Killer atmosphere,” I say.

“Told you.”

Wearing a cowboy shirt and a rosy-cheeked face, Jeb makes his way over to us and flashes that permanent mischievous smile of his. “Good to see you two. Willow, I heard you’re gonna be here another month.”

“Yup. Tore down some walls. Building new ones.”

“Badass. I wanna stop in and check on your handiwork.”

“Come by anytime. We always appreciate you and your team.”

Dakota asks Jeb about using his monster truck to advertise Cut the Cheese for the Labor Day parade, but I don’t hear the rest of their conversation. My phone buzzes, and I look to see a new text.

Owen:Can you meet me at The Malted Moon Brewery? I could use your company.

Wait. Owen’s here? Confused, I look around, not seeing him. I stand and peer inside at the bar, but don’t find him there either. Finally, I say, “Hey, Jeb. Have you seen Owen here?”

“Yup.” Holding his beer, Jeb points to a patio divider covered in vines. “He’s back there, alone, and he’s in a mood.” The crowd watching the TV inside lets out a cheer, and Jeb says, “Gotta get back. I’m missing the game.”

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