Page 6 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

She sighed, rubbing her temples like she was the one who was emotionally drained. “You have no clothes, no necessities, and no money. This is only temporary until we can get you settled into the lake house.”

“Are you out of your damn mind?”

There had to be an alternative place for me to stay. I picked up my phone and started scrolling, looking for options, but then I remembered that I couldn’t book anything. Not without a damn credit card.

I looked through the windshield again. There was a neatly stacked pile of firewood by the garage door. Maybe I could build a fire and rough it outdoors for the night. As I scanned thewoods, all I saw was pitch black. I shivered because that was how people died in horror movies.

There were too many creatures with beady little eyes and sharp teeth that would view me as a snack. I wasn’t a nature person; I wouldn’t last five minutes.

I was still in my wedding dress and in need of a nice hot shower and a comfortable bed.

“Come on, I’ll walk you in.”

“Wait,” I said as she stepped out of the car. “Is he okay with me staying here?”

Molly’s hands froze on the door. She didn’t move.

“Molly?” I asked sternly. “Does he know about this plan?”

“It will be fine. I promise.”

“Oh, my God!” I slapped my hands against my thighs. “You didn’t even ask him, did you?”

“I wouldn’t do this if I had another choice.”

I looked back at the woods again. “I think I’d rather get eaten by a fox.”

She rolled her eyes. “You are so dramatic. Foxes don’t eat people.”

“You are the worst best friend,” I muttered.

“Right now, I’m your only friend. Now let’s get this little reunion over with.”

I threw my head back against the seat and groaned. “This is a terrible idea.”

She stepped out of the car and marched up to the front of the house, leaving me trailing behind her. I clutched the bottom of my dress, trying to match her speed, and prayed for divine intervention.

Molly knocked, and we stood under the dim light over the door. My heart pounded as I glanced nervously at Molly. She tried to give me a reassuring smile, but it fell flat. So damn flat, I almost booked my butt back to the car.

Before I could get my feet to move, the door swung open.

I glanced up and swallowed hard. Jesus, why did he have to be so handsome?

Strong jaw.

Kissable lips.

Dark brown eyes that reminded me of the forest and were just as dangerous.

Even in the dark, it was clear he hadn’t changed much. He looked exactly the same, but there was an edge to him that wasn’t there before.

I always imagined what it would be like to see him again. And as I tipped my head back to stare up at him, I felt those familiar goose bumps break out along my skin.

Brooks Dawson would always be the boy who owned my heart and soul.

I wrung my hands in front of me, wondering how this would play out.

His eyes flicked from Molly to me, narrowing when they landed on my face. I could see him processing the absurdity of the situation.

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