Page 35 of Written in the Stars

SERENITY

“This is some fantastic chicken salad,” Lissa says as she shoves another forkful into her mouth.

It’s a Tuesday, about two weeks since my evening at the Heat Feast with my sexy fireman—yes, I said it, he’s mine—and I’m out with Lissa having lunch. We closed up the store for an hour to get a break. Plus, at the time of year where there aren’t really that many major holidays, we figured we could get away for a bit.

Of course, I’ve seen Zander after Heat Feast, like almost every day, and if not every day, then every other day. It’s really been great getting to know him, and the more I do, the more I realize just how happy I am that things with Walter didn’t go as planned. If I hadn’t caught him cheating on me, we’d probably still get married because he wouldn’t have told me about his affair. I never would have come to Glimerton, and I never would have met Zander. And then, I never would have known what real love was.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved Walter and I’m sure in his own way he loved me, at least before he started cheating on me. I’m sure at one point, he cared a great deal about me. But regardless of how he felt about me, I loved him. Yet the love I feel for Zander is different. It’s hard to describe, but it’s a completely different feeling. I don’t know if it’s because it’s all still pretty brand new, but I’d like to think that this feels different because it’s real.

“How’s your grilled chicken?” Lissa asks.

I tuck a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “It’s pretty good, too.”

She smiles up at me. “I told you, this place is great. They opened up last spring and I’ve been coming here ever since every once in a while.”

I nod and before I can say anything, she adds, “I went to see Dad this morning.”

I furrow my brows. When? I was with her all—oh, wait, those two hours when she disappeared. I thought she was running errands, but now it makes sense. I wonder why she didn’t tell me before she went, though. “How was he?” I ask instead.

She shrugs, and once she swallows, she says, “The same as last time. He’s such a grumpy old man.”

“I guess. He’s good otherwise though?”

I shove another piece of food into my mouth, and from the corner of my eye, I spot a couple to my right. The man resembles Zander so much, and instantly, his dark-colored eyes come into my mind and I can’t the smile that spreads across my face.

“Yeah, he’s good, and you’re on cloud nine.”

I shake my head and bring my attention back to my sister. “Huh?”

She laughs, and after swallowing a mouthful of her diet drink, she repeats, “Girl, you’re on cloud nine. Don’t even try to deny it. It’s written all over your face, and I know it has something—wait, cancel that—everything to do with Zander.”

I’m about to fight her, but quickly decide against it. There’s no point, and honestly, I’ve been considering telling her exactly how I feel since the night I realized I was falling in love with Zander. “It’s true.”

She nods with a look on her face that says she was right all along; I let her have her moment.

“I knew it, Ren.”

I sit back in my chair. “I realized it the night of Heat Feast. I’m in love with him, Lissa.”

“I know,” she says knowingly.

“Is it bad?” I ask, and for the first time since my realization, I question my feelings.

She shakes her head. “Not at all.”

“Then how come you’re not saying much?” I suck in a gulp of my soda.

Lissa shrugs. “Because I have nothing to contest about. It’s a good thing. He’s a good man, and he makes you happy. So I’m all for it, and I’m happy for you, Serenity. You deserve some happiness after everything with Walter the Douche.”

I almost spit out my drink. Another nickname for Walter. Good one.

“Don’t pretend like it’s not fitting.”

I try to hide my smile. “It is.”

She gives me a wink. “I know.”

This time I laugh, but she cuts me off.

“So enough about that douche. Tell me more about how you’re feeling about Zander.”

“I told you.”

She shakes her head. “Details, woman. When did you realize it? How did you realize it? Tell me everything!”

And with that, I suck in a deep breath and begin telling Lissa about the night at Heat Feast when I fell in love with Zander Carter.

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