Page 18 of Choosing Forever
“That depends. What’s in the bag?”
“Licorice and cherry Coke. I’m hoping they’re still your favourites.”
There’s a sharp twist in my chest. “You remembered that?”
“As if I could forget. You didn’t use to go anywhere without both.”
She rubs her lips together, stopping herself from saying more. I’m grateful for that hesitation tonight. I’m too exhausted to think about the past much more than I already have.
“Yeah, you can come in. Sorry for the smell.”
With a small smile, she nods and slips inside. “The smoke? I don’t think that’s coming from in here.”
“It’s both. I haven’t been able to shower.” I shut the door before joining her in the cramped living room, still full to the brim of my grandmother’s furniture.
“You went to see the fire, didn’t you?”
Dropping my eyes to the threadbare carpet, I whisper, “I had to.”
“I’m sorry, Delaney. I figured you wouldn’t have stayed inside and watched the flames.”
“Don’t be. It was only a matter of time before something happened to the drive-in. Time just ran out,” I ramble, blinking quickly. Gripping my hips, I glance away at the staircase and breathe in through my nose. “You can sit. I’m sorry it’s such a mess.”
She shrugs it off, flashing a grin and taking a seat on the loveseat. “I like it. Everything feels very homey.”
“My grandma liked collecting things, including furniture. One of these days, I’ll have a chance to finally get everything packed up and put in storage.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask how you’re doing after, you know. I would have been here sooner if I hadn’t been . . .”
I swallow thickly and wipe a palm down my thigh. “Don’t apologize. You’ve been great. I don’t need coddling.”
The loss of my grandmother last year wasn’t sudden by any means. She’d been sick for years, slowly getting worse with every birthday. Still, I struggled with her absence once she was gone. She’s the main reason I stayed in Cherry Peak, and this house—her house—is a constant reminder of her. Living here after she passed wasn’t my plan, but this town isn’t really bursting with open real estate.
“I could have been better. Stopped by sooner or forced you out of the house more often. Daisy’s been keeping us all updated, though.”
“You’re fine, Poppy. I’m doing good now. And yeah, that’s nice of her. I figured she was doing that,” I say tightly.
Has Darren been around while she’s been giving everyone updates on me?Who am I kidding?He probably gets up and leaves the moment my name is brought up.
I’m aware of Saturday nights at Peakside, the only bar intown, and how every member of their close-knit group is invited. It’s tradition for them. While I’ve been invited to a few by both Daisy and Poppy, I’ve never joined them. Out of every main location in Cherry Peak, Peakside is the one place I haven’t stepped foot into since the moment I moved back.
I don’t belong there with them.
“If you ever need help going through her things, I’m only a call away,” Poppy offers.
Sitting in the oversized armchair, I try to smile at her. “I wouldn’t bother you for that. It’s too long of a drive.”
“Not for long. Garrison and I are moving closer.”
“What? When?”
She frowns slightly. “Not soon enough. But we’re building a house only two hours away. Close enough to Calgary for work and at least a half hour closer to everyone here.”
“That’s exciting, Poppy. Good for you guys.”
“Thank you. We’re hoping to have it finished before the wedding, but Darren’s certain that won’t happen—” She cuts herself off and winces.
I shake my head, playing off my discomfort. “You can say his name around me. He’s not the boogeyman.”
