Page 15 of Love on the Line

Chapter 6

The paper shookin Paul’s hand as he read the invitation for his college reunion. Would Lynn be there? His pulse skipped a beat. Lynn...the one and only girl he had ever loved. Sure, it had started out as a bet with Devon over who could win her affections, but it quickly became more than that to Paul.

He hadn’t seen her since college when she’d disappeared and he’d lost touch with her. Now, he and his wife shared a comfortable life, but she had never stirred his blood like Lynn.

The image of her sitting up on the rocks when they went hiking back in college would burn in his mind forever. Her long, dark hair blowing in the breeze as she smiled shyly at him. Under the shade of a tree, Paul kissed her, and she kissed him back. That was the day Lynn told Devon she wasn’t interested in him, and Paul won the bet.

The next month was a blur. Paul lived and breathed to spend time with her, and for some crazy reason, she acted the same way. When he finally got the nerve, they had sex. She was giving, loving, and he tried to please her to the best of his inexperienced ability.

That was the last time he saw her. His heart broke when she left town without a word. They’d both graduated, but she hadn’t even shown up for the ceremony. None of her friends would talk to him or shed any light on the situation.

With no other choice, he’d licked his wounds and gone on with life. What would he even say to her if he saw her at the reunion? Regret gnawed at his stomach lining.

He picked up the phone and dialed Devon’s number. “Hey Devon, how are things going? Haven’t heard from you lately.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Trying to win our bet?”

“I’ll win. You just be ready to pay up. Is this all you called about?” Devon asked.

“No. I was wondering if you were going to the reunion.” Tension pinched Paul’s shoulder blades.

Devon scoffed, “Hell no. I haven’t kept in touch with any of those people.”

“I figured as much.” Good. He wouldn’t be there to make fun of Paul if he did see Lynn.

“Why? Are you actually thinking of going?”

“Probably not.” Paul tried to sound casual. “On other subjects, I wanted to let you know the wire came through and everything is settled with that last purchase.”

“Perfect. Thanks. Anything else?”

“Nope. I’ll catch you later.” Paul hung up and smoothed the invitation out with this hand.

College had been a struggle for him socially until he’d met Devon. He’d helped Devon pass some classes and climbed the social ladder by association. He’d been popular, and suddenly Paul was invited to parties and events. Devon liked to gamble and make wagers, which is how their game began. Paul didn’t care that he lost most of them, because he had won the only one that mattered to him. Lynn.

He blocked off the date in his phone calendar and shredded the invitation.

No need to tell his wife about the reunion. She’d just think he had another late night at work.

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