Page 121 of Meet Me in the Valley
“I get it,” Nora whispers. “Sometimes it feels easier to walk away before things get messy. Before it all gets too real. I mean, take it from me. It’s exactly what I did.” I nod, but she keeps going.
“But I had convinced myself during that time that it was the right thing for me. Like if I could just erase the things that challenged me, I wouldn’t have to feel the weight of losinganything. Running seemed like the answer.” She pauses. “But the truth is, we don’t get to control the timeline. Life doesn’t wait until we’re ready.” She offers a small smile, the kind that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“If you love him, Tia … don’t waste time convincing yourself you don’t deserve more. Some people only come around once.Trust me.”
Her eyes hold mine for a beat too long, that familiar flicker of longing holds steady in her irises. Then she looks away, takes a sip of her drink, and in a blink, the moment slips past us.
I watch her, expecting the usual Nora smirk or a sarcastic one-liner to cut through the heaviness. But it doesn’t come. She just stares into her drink, jaw tight, like she’s chewing on something she refuses to say out loud.
And suddenly, I feel it. That quiet shift in the air. Her words weren’t really aboutmeat all. I study her face, the way her smile wobbles at the edges, how her eyes don’t quite meet mine.
But it sticks with me—her voice, that look. It feels as if she’s carrying a story she’s never told. Maybe I won’t ask again. But I won’t forget, either.
“Thanks, Nora. That’s … really good advice. I’ve missed that.”
Her words linger, even after we fall quiet.
My thoughts drift to Logan.
His laugh, the way he used to doodle on napkins when he was stuck on an idea. Is he doing that now? Thinking about me like I’m thinking about him?
Since texting him on Halloween, it’s been this constant pull—like part of me is still tangled up in him, craving him at all hours of the day.
I shake the thoughts off and glance at Nora. She’s staring out the window, chewing on her lip, a thousand miles away.
I reach for my drink, then pause. “You ready to see them?” I ask quietly. “Mom and Dad?”
Her eyes flick to mine, her grip tightening around her cup.
“Mom! I got a new high score!” Cali’s excited squeals travel through the diner. A few onlookers smile at her enthusiasm, not at all bothered that she’s shouting across the restaurant.
Even if my sister isn’t ready to see our parents, I can see in her eyes she’ll do it for Cali.
“They’re gonna love her, you know. I know I do,” I tell my sister, a genuine smile beaming on my face.
We both turn to find Cali doing a hilarious victory dance in front of a pinball machine, the youth on her face not yet jaded by life. She’s fully present and living in the moment. A lesson my sister and I can learn from.
No more running.
“I’m ready, Tia. I’m ready to go home.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
LOGAN
Logan
A heads up would’ve been nice.
Dad
If I had given you one, would you be meeting her for dinner?
Logan
What? How do you know that? Jesus, are you and mom texting now?
Dad
