Page 159 of As They Are
“So, you’re scared? Are you gonna let a little fear stop you from getting a girl likeWren?”
When she put it like that, it felt simple. I wasn’t the kind of guy who let fear stop me. If I did, I wouldn’t have gone to medical school or moved here.
“You are . . . alarmingly convincing.”
“It’s a talent of mine. One of many.”
“I’m glad Wren has you.”
“And I wanna keep her. So you better do your part, Doc.” She pointed at me. “She belongs here. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
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WREN
RWL Superfan Discussion Central
Alicia Parrish: Henry in just a T-shirt? He looked so HOT.
Comments:
Neve Bullock: Still waiting for more Jude content. They’re dragging this one out WAY too long.
Kaitlyn O’Brien: Why is this group so anti-Henry? He’s way better than Jude.
Kerry Winsor: THANK YOU!
One stringof the fairy lights on the square had stopped working.
It had been bothering me since the sun went down. I was supposed to be sealing the windows, yet all I could see was a dark spot over one of the buildings. The Strawberry Springs town square was incredible each night.
And I wanted it to stay that way.
The fondness for the town had crept up on me. Now that I’d realized how much I liked it here, it was all I could think about.
I tried to finish the work, but I couldn’t focus on it. Eventually, I abandoned my station and trotted across the street. These types of buildings always had some sort of roof access, and I snuck around the back to find it.
There was a metal staircase. I would find out how the lights were installed and figure out what I could do. I got to the rooftop and saw a figure already there.
They turned the second I came up, and for a brief moment, I wondered if I was finally about to witness a crime in this tiny town.
Instead, it was the last person I expected to see.
“Henry?”
“Wren?” His eyes were wide, just like mine. “What are you doing up here?”
“The lights aren’t working.”
“Ah, well. You don’t have to worry about that.” He put a plug in. “I already have it.”
“You’re a doctorandyou do light maintenance?” I crossed my arms. “You have a lot of secrets.”
“It’s not a secret. It’s just something I don’t advertise.” He rubbed the back of his head. “When I moved here, these were all broken, and I asked if there was any funding to fix it. The STM grant sent it tomeand I’ve ... been taking care of the square ever since.”
“By yourself?”
“Normally, people aren’t out at night. When I finish up with my hobbies, I do this and the flower pots.”
