Page 10 of Resurrection
As if sensing my presence, she turns. I catch her gaze, and we both freeze for a second, everything hanging in the air between us. Her eyes that are the same as her brother's are ringed with dark circles but are unreadable. And for a second, it feels like nothing's changed… Except everything.
The pain—it lingers in her features and her body language.
Those tightly pressed lips I used to kiss so much.
That frown line on her forehead that I want to smooth with my finger.
Even the tension in her shoulders, which I can feel it across the hallway.
This is the first time I’ve seen her in person since I left Sageview Ridge for good, and it knocks the breath out of me. Her face is the same, radiating strength, pride, and self-assurance. Those deep, knowing eyes framed by thick black lashes. The line of her cheekbones. That quiet confidence. Thatdon’t mess with meattitude.
I’m hit with a rush of everything—the years, the loss, the emotions that still sit heavy in my chest, the ones I've been trying so hard to suppress. She hasn’t changed, not really. Not where it counts.
"Naomi… Hey," I say as I take one step forward. Then another and another, feeling like my legs might give out.
"Tyler," she replies flatly.
My pulse hammers at my temples. "How have you been?"
She just looks at me, her expression carefully blank. "You’re here."
"I—yeah." I rub the back of my neck, searching for the right words. "Heard about your dad. Wanted to come by and say my goodbyes."
"Thanks."
"Must have been tough these past couple of years."
"It was." She lifts her chin a little, as if it will somehow lessen our seven-inch height difference.
"I’m really sorry."Nomes.
"I appreciate it." Her response is clinical, like she’s reading from a script. I get it. She’s probably pissed off at me. I would be too.
"I didn’t think you’d ever move back to town," I mutter awkwardly, wanting to continue talking to her. But I realize I sound like a moron.
"What do you mean?"
"I just heard you were traveling. Paris. New York. Asia."
"What’s wrong with Sageview Ridge?"
"Nothing."
She tilts her head to the side, her eyes never leaving mine. "Just because this town is too small for your rockstar ego doesn’t mean it’s not a good place."
I don’t have a comeback. "I heard you opened a restaurant at the casino."I've been stalking your Instagram for years now.
The corner of her mouth twitches, but it’s not quite a smile. "It’s been open for a while now."
The way she says it feels like a blow to my rib cage. I stand there, words failing me. I’m not certain why I’m hoping for some kind of connection. It’s been seventeen years.
"So," she says, and there's that edge again. "Is this just another quick visit?"
I flinch at the sting in her voice. "I don’t know yet. I just finished working on the second season ofDreamscape Diaries. Nothing on the books yet."
"Okay," she says with no emotion.
"Hey… It’s really good to see you. I know I’ve been an asshole for never really trying to stay in touch." I pause, watching her carefully.
