Page 12 of Fall Twice

“Okay. I’m on board with that.” He looks at me, impressed. “But you’re all good now, right? I mean, it’s not like you need any extra sage burnings to banish lingering illness spirits or anything, right?”

“Nah. I’m good. Just had a check-up, actually.” He flashes me an assuring look. “Besides, I’m your first friend here in Hollows and I would only volunteer if I’m in tip-top shape.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders from the side as we continue to walk.

“Lucky me. And you’re right that a friend is exactly what I could use right now with my life the way it is,” I say simply.

“Exactly.” His tone is strong, but when our eyes hold then it feels like our words are a front for two people who don’t feel so confident about our declaration.

It’s not that I never thought about dating again. Sean and I separated at the start of the year, but I kind of had it in my head to try and be by myself for a while and find a new routine. Dating the guy who broke my heart when I was young and naïve most certainly wasn’t on my radar.

A moment passes, and I breathe out a long puff. “Thanks again.”

“Sure. Hey, tomorrow I have this drinks-with-the-dean thing. Want to come?”

My brows knit together. “Sounds… dull.”

He chuckles softly as we continue our journey down the sidewalk. “Precisely. I could use the company, plus he has an excellent whiskey collection.”

When I think about it, I would only be sitting in my hotel room watching TV and eating pizza. This could be entertaining. “Are you sure I’m not gatecrashing?”

“Nah, he expects everyone to come with a partner, and I could use one event when his wife doesn’t try to set me up with their granddaughter.” There is a hint of arrogant pride in his tone.

“Ah, there is a hidden agenda.”

He stops us and grips both of my shoulders to guide my sight to him. “No hidden agenda. Just nice to take someone who knows me.”

“Okay. It’s the least I can do since you took me to get my soul cleansed.” I try not to laugh. “What are friends for, right?”

The line on Reid’s mouth slants halfway up. “Friends.”

His tone is faint enough.

5

REID

Ipull up to the inn and Lena is waiting for me. She’s in a maroon dress that goes to her knees, and she looks like the type of woman that my mother would love for me to bring to dinner. And my cock just let me know he’s still alive too.

Lena gives me an astonished look as I park. I quickly get out of my car to circle around and open the door for her. “You drivethis?” She studies my baby-blue 1967 Ferrari.

“When weather allows,” I say and close the door for her after she slides in.

Once I’m back in the car, she gawks at me. “Are we sure you haven’t had an early mid-life crisis?”

I laugh as I begin to drive us away. “It’s a classic.”

I keep the windows open as the top is up, and the wind swirls around us, yet her hair flows just right.

“This is a little too much for the female population to handle. I mean, you driving around town in this.” She admires the inside of the car by gliding her hand along the sides.

“Let me guess, you have a mini-van?” I try to focus on the road.

“Actually, just a Prius electric.”

A solid choice of ordinary. “What did you do today?”

“Took the train downtown and visited my new office. It’s really nice, and everyone seems lovely. My bosses both have kids, so seem quite accommodating. I’ll work at home three days a week, which is great. I’m just excited for the projects that I’ll be working on, focusing on content,” she explains as she looks out the window.

“Sounds promising.” I turn right at the stop sign. “My mom says hi, by the way.”

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