Page 70 of The Sound Of Silence

Something in me just knows this is what Willow wanted to see. Not just the view in general. Butthisview. The sun rising over the horizon. The colors. The beauty. The new beginning.

The new beginning.

The thought of that hits me hard. What I wouldn’t do for a new beginning. To be exactly where I am now, but to have come at it from a different direction. To have taken a different path.

But while I can’t change the past, staying in this town—in Willow’s house—is risking more damage than I’ve already inflicted. I’ve used up all my get out of jail free cards. Staying here isn’t a new beginning for me. It could very well be my end.

Chapter Thirty

Willow

Idropontotherocks and sigh, just as the sun peeks out from above the trees. Orange and yellow swirls paint the sky, and I can’t help but smile. I made it. Here’s to another day. Pulling my phone out of its case, I snap a picture and save it to my “happiness” folder. The folder I often visit when I’m at my lowest. When I need to remind myself that each sunrise can be the beginning of something. A new start.

While I can’t change the past, I can rewrite the rules. Every day is a new opportunity to curate the life I want. To make it happen. I just have to figure out what the hell that life is.

When the sun settles high in the sky, I stroll back. I’m in no rush to go home and face Jesse again. But when I arrive, he’s still out, and unfortunately, Pippa’s asleep.

I get ready for work and listen at her door when it’s time to leave, hoping to talk to her. But when I’m once again met with silence, I send her a text to join me for lunch and head off, determined to push the entire Jesse incident out of my mind. At least, until I see her.

Our morning’s busier than I would have expected for a Tuesday, and it’s not until our fifth customer asks about the same Fresh New Love oil that a thought occurs to me.

Pulling up my business's social media account, I see Pippa’s tagged me in a post. She’s hugging a guy wearing Jesse’s team-issued cap, while holding my creation up to the camera. You can clearly see her in the image, but it’s impossible to tell who the guy is, unless of course you know him. And I do. It’s Mason who owns the bar across the street. Only that’s not who she’s implying it is. And I can see why she chose him. He may not be Jesse, but they have a similar build.

After reading the caption, my stomach clenches as a nauseous feeling takes over, making me even more desperate to speak to Pippa.

To my new love with a certain hockey player.??

#musthavebeentheoils

#Audreysessence

#Freshnewlove

I’m not upset that she used my oils; that’s perfect for business. But I can’t say I’m excited about the fact that she’s putting their relationship on social media, practically announcing it to the world. Even though it’s fake. My stomach swirls as I reach for my glass of water, needing a moment to myself. And when the bell above my door chimes again, I almost scream out“don’t buy it! It’s a fraud,”but hold myself back.I’ve never hated that bell more than I do right now.

“Hi, welcome to Audrey’s,” Sara says, thankfully stepping in when she sees my expression, signaling for me to head to the back. Where I stay until it's time for lunch.

She sells two more scent and salt packs—a Fresh New Love and a Bright New Day—before turning my way as soon as the last customer’s gone. “What did I miss?”

I show her Pippa’s post and she barks out a laugh. “Well, that explains a lot.”

“It does.” I smile. “She’s actually meeting me for lunch now, so we can find out all about it.”

“You didn’t know?” Sara asks with a frown.

“Nope.”

We keep chatting as I wait for Pippa, but twelve thirty comes and goes, and then it’s one, and then one thirty, then Sara heads home, and still nothing. No Pippa.

After sending her two texts, I give up and quickly shove down my food. It’s not until three forty-five that I get a response.

Pippa: Shit, sorry sis. My phone died last night and I forgot to charge it. Let’s catch up for dinner together tonight. Mom’s cooking your fav

Ugh. Dinner with Mom and Dad is not at all what I had in mind, but at least we’ll get some alone time on the walk home.

Willow: Sounds good. I’ll meet you there after I close up

Five thirty comes around faster than usual due to our increased sales, and I can’t complain at all. I’m just pulling the door closed, ready to meet Pippa, when a tap on my shoulder has me jumping out of my skin.

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