Page 3 of Fall Twice

“Reid,” I clarify.

Her chopsticks fall onto the counter and her eyes go wide. “No way. I thought he moved to Chicago from what I heard, but I didn’t think it would be the town where my dear friend just so happens to be moving to.”

My mouth goes slack as I try to figure out why her reaction is so dramatic. “It’s no big deal. He’s a professor now and married, I think.”

I hear her hum in doubt. “And you’re going to see him?”

I laugh at her dramatic tone. “Sure, why not? We’re all adults at different points in our lives.”

Annie plants her hands on her hips and she gawks at me. “Except in college, you two were… explosive.”

“We were not,” I refute. “We are just meeting for coffee.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay. But I want the play-by-play after. I mean, I think I saw an article on him a year or so ago. Easy on the eyes, for sure. Definitely making waves in the academic world.”

I focus on my food. “Exactly. All the more reason that it’s a simple coffee. He has the life he wants, and I need to focus on this move. I’m not twenty-two anymore, wanting a fuck-buddy who meets me in the library.”

She walks to me and places her hand on my shoulder. “I know. It’s just… be careful. Fires can reignite.”

Confidently, I stand tall. “Really, we are just two people catching up over coffee.”

Annie gives me a knowing look, not quite believing my words but willing to play along.

“Of course. But if he orders a pumpkin spiced latte then run.”

My face turns amused and puzzled. “Why?”

“Because the Reid I remember doesn’t do seasonal drinks, let alone enjoy your favorite time of year. If he orders pumpkin anything then he’s changed, and that’s your warning.”

I shake my head at her logic. “That is the most ridiculous theory, but since I love you then I will take it into consideration.”

She smiles in accomplishment.

Two days later,I find myself walking down the main street of Hollows, a cute northern suburb of Chicago. It has historic charm, and it’s quiet for a weekday but by no means too still. I bet in the next hour it’ll get busy when the Metra trains start to deliver people who worked downtown for the day. I spot Ginger & Co.

The glass of the window has white lettering and a sketched piece of ginger against a coffee cup. There’s a young couple sitting by the window, but the place looks big. At first glance, I see it’s two stories that you can see, as the middle is open, and it has one big wall of books.

Truthfully, I feel something quickening inside of me as I approach the door.

There’s a chalkboard on the sidewalk announcing their specials of the month—a ginger turmeric health blast and a spiced apple cake.

Blowing out a breath, I feel excited to catch up with an old… well, I’m not sure what Reid is. But I’m late, and he must be waiting.

I pull the handle, and I internally remind myself,Reid doesn’t drink pumpkin lattes.

And I open the door.

2

REID

Looking at my laptop screen, I scowl. Emails from students who are trying to justify their late assignment submissions always cause an eye roll. The excuses are either offensive because they didn’t put in thought to come up with something more original, or too creative so that it feels unbelievable.

Teaching political history has been my daily grind for the past few years, after working in a non-profit. The academic life called to me, and here I am.

Closing my laptop, I look around Ginger & Co. to see if she’s arrived.

Jesus, like a comet coming out of nowhere, I didn’t expect to hear from Lena.

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