Page 11 of By Your Side

Sighing, I hop out of my truck. Why is she in town? She couldn’t wait to escape to bigger and better things than small-town life can offer, not caring about the people she was leaving behind. It’s been seven years and a valuable lesson, but the idea of seeing her doesn’t sting as much as I thought it would when her name would come up in passing conversations.

The noise from inside the restaurant carries out as a couple exits, arms wrapped around each other.

Cliff’s is the only restaurant in town, aside from Perk Up, which doesn’t really fall in the same category, so it’s always busy.

The music is loud, the food is great, but the atmosphere is truly amazing. It’s set up to be reminiscent of the old dining hall from when the town was first built. All the workers from outlying farms would come in and congregate with their families.

About sixty years ago, the dining hall burned down, but the walls of Cliff’s are plastered with memories from the town, providing a visual history of how the community has evolved. And the tables are set up the way they used to be, so eating here is always a reunion with someone in town.

Young Jae sits at the end of the far table. Scanning the room, I see Jill in the opposite corner. Chuckling, I make my way over to him.

“You know, Jill and I ended things like seven years ago. I’m good.” As the words come out, I realize I actually mean it.

I’ve clung to the hurt I’ve felt from her leaving for far too long. She made a choice to take a job elsewhere, but I also made the choice to stay.

He eyes me as I sit down and pick up the menu. “I don’t think I’ve heard you say her name in those seven years.”

“Yeah, well, I guess I realized clinging to some hurt from that long ago doesn’t make sense.” My tone is matter-of-fact, so he drops it, but his brows stay raised until I turn my attention to the menu.

I already know what I want, but Young Jae is too perceptive and never afraid to call me out on my bullshit.

Seeing her now and realizing all I feel is ambivalence, it’s relieving to know I truly mean what I say.

“I’m glad you feel that way because she’s coming over.” Young Jae leans back in his chair, nodding at Jill as she stops next to us.

“Hey, Owen, it’s been a long time.” She tucks her short blonde hair behind her ear, giving me a small smile.

Leaning back in my chair, I cross my arms. “It has.”

She glances over at Young Jae, greeting him before turning back to me. “I was hoping we could sit down and have some coffee later. I’m only in town for a couple days, but I have some time tomorrow . . .”

I can feel eyes burning into me, the buzzing of chatter in the room lessening. Sometimes living in a small town is a pain in the ass.

Clearing my throat, I reply, “Yeah, sure. Perk Up at three, okay?”

She nods. “See you there.”

The chatter returns to a roar as she rejoins her friends.

Young Jae’s lips twitch as people gab on about me and Jill.

Rolling my eyes, I flag down Katie to place my order and ignore everyone else.

I arrive at Perk Up before Jill does. It’s empty, which is surprising but welcome. Elise comes out of the back carrying a tray of cinnamon buns.

“Hi, Owen. What can I get you?” She slides the tray into the display, straightening with a smile.

“Those look amazing. I will take one and a black coffee.” Leaving a twenty on the counter, I take the plate and mug she hands me and head to the corner table.

Sipping my coffee, I answer a couple of emails before the bell chimes as Jill comes in. I grin as Elise’s eyes widen marginally before she puts on her customer service smile.

They exchange pleasantries before Jill joins me at the table.

“It’s so weird being back in town. It feels like nothing has changed.” There’s no judgment in her tone, but the implication that life is stagnant here is there.

“Change doesn’t have to be drastic or rapid to exist.” Resting my elbows on the table, I look at her. She used to be the most beautiful woman in the world to me, but she’s hardened since I last saw her. Not just because seven years have passed and we all look a little older, but because there’s an edge to her that she didn’t have before. “So, what’s up? You clearly have a reason for wanting to see me.”

She leans in, her gray eyes shifting more to the woman I once knew. “I don’t know if you heard, but Alexandra is getting married. It’s why I’m in town. She really wanted to get married here by the lake.”

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