Page 15 of Fall Twice

She straightens her posture, clears her throat, and definitely looks like a woman who has rehearsed the following words during the drive home. “We aren’t twenty-one anymore, I’m not that person. I didn’t understand then that you can be intimate with someone and for it not to mean anything. Now I understand. That doesn’t mean I’ll do it. And we’re both smart enough to know that friendship is friendship. I would rather have you in my life than not.”

I glide the back of my finger along my bottom lip as I lean against the window. “I get it.”

We look at one another for what feels like minutes.

“You’ll let me know when you’re back?” I hear the fragility in my tone.

Her smile spreads and she leans in to hug me. “For sure. You have my abundance of herbs to ward off bad karma in my home, remember?”

“Right. You need me to help keep those evil spirits away.”

She pulls back, with her hand staying put on my shoulder. “Always knew you would eventually be useful,” she quips.

I roll my eyes at her humor. “Have a safe flight.”

“Thanks.”

She reaches for the latch of the door, and I stop her by leaning over to do it for her, causing our bodies to nearly rub against one another until I slowly retreat.

“You smell the same,” she says. “I mean, it’s spring fresh.”

“Don’t ruin a good thing, right?” I mention as I sit back.

I slide my hand along her cheek, allowing my thumb to rub her skin. “Thanks again.” She may interpret it as tonight, but for me, it’s the last few days and an awakening that stirred something inside of me. I was in a rut, with life feeling a little dull.

She doesn’t blink, but I notice her eyes glance to my mouth and then directly back up.

“A few weeks,” she nearly whispers.

Then she leaves me to wonder why I already feel anticipation for the fact that she’s coming back.

6

LENA

Ithrow the stuffed lion onto the bed. The finishing touch to Oscar’s room. Thank goodness for delivery guys who piece furniture together, because there is no way I would have been able to construct this bed.

A long exhale escapes me as I walk to the doorway. I’m ahead of schedule, which means I have a day to myself since my job doesn’t start until next week and Sean won’t be here with Oscar until tomorrow. I walk down the hall and into the open-plan kitchen and living area. Grabbing my phone, I lean over the counter to scroll through my contacts.

I know there is someone in Hollows who I could contact. I haven’t been avoiding Reid, I simply wanted to focus on the logistics of my move. But my to-do list is now complete.

He’s meandered into my thoughts more than I would like to admit. We haven’t really texted much since I saw him a few weeks ago—which is fine. Because true friends are the ones who you don’t need to communicate with every day, you can just pick up without question. And friends are what we are.

I pull up his contact and quickly type a message and hit send without any big commotion in my head.

Me: Hey! All moved and an official Hollows resident.

I scan the apartment, and I’m impressed with how much I conquered in the last two days. Granted, I barely slept, but I figured I might as well do it all.

The vibration of my phone causes my sight to dart to my phone screen.

Reid: Nice. Need help with anything? I actually learned how to use a hammer and even own a drill set.

Me: Wow. If you have a hard hat, then I may just consider it. But I’m all settled, actually. Could use a coffee, though.

Reid: Coincidentally I’m at Count of Choc, drinking coffee. If you play nice then I may just keep hold of this table.

I smile to myself, as it sounds like a perfect way to end the afternoon.

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