Page 3 of Second Chance Valentine

“That’s true.” I rub my hand over my face. Seeing her expression causes the regret and guilt over how I left things settle like a rock in the pit of my stomach.

“I’m sorry. Listen, I know that I handled things badly. I should’ve communicated better.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she says, without looking at me. “It’s ancient history.”

It breaks my heart to think of us as ancient history, but I know that in a way she’s right. How could I expect the connection to still be there when ten years have passed? But we were soulmates our whole lives… until I left. I have to fight for that. She was the love of my life. I screwed that up, but I have to try to get it back. It’s all that matters to me now.

“Listen, I’m back. For good. I’m staying with my brother for now, but I plan to settle down here. Set up a photography business. Anyway, I need to tell you something. I know I messed up. I was stupid and young and the way I ended things- well, I know I hurt you. Ginger, you’re my soulmate. Something happened a couple of months ago and it made me realize that you are the only thing that matters to me. The only thing I’ve ever cared about and all I want is to have a family with you and grow old with you. You’re the love of my life.”

Ginger’s eyes are shimmering with tears and I’m filled with hope. She feels it too. I knew the deep connection we had couldn’t have just faded away, no matter how much time has passed.

“I know it’s been a long time, but can we give it another try?” I’m pleading and I know I sound pathetic, but standing in front of her, seeing her again, I don’t care. I reach out, put my hand on her face and she slaps it away with fire in her eyes.

“I’m going out, Hallie,” she says between clenched teeth, as she marches through the kitchen and out the back door.

Panic floods me and for a moment, I’m frozen. Finally, I come to my senses and follow her through the kitchen and into the back parking lot just in time to see her SUV pull out onto the street and speed away.

THREE

Ginger

How dare he breeze into town and declare his undying love after practically ghosting me ten years ago! I was wrecked for years after he left. I worked so hard to get him out of my system, to move on. Sure, I haven’t been with anyone else since he left, but I was making progress. My heart was healing. And he just waltzed in here and blew up my life.

How can he even know if he still wants me after ten years? We’ve grown up and a lot has changed. He’ll see soon enough that I’m not the same lovestruck teenager I was. Sure things in Evergreen Mountain look like a dream through the lens of nostalgia, but it won’t take him long to realize life here is just life, same as anywhere else. There’s pain and loss. Regret. He’s probably romanticized things in his mind. That’s why he thinks he wants me back. Once those rose-colored glasses come off, he’ll see that I’m just plain old hometown Ginger who likes to bake cookies. And then he’ll be gone. Again.

I turn into the parking lot of Fiona’s Bar and Grill, hoping for a conversation with my oldest friend. She watchedthe whole relationship unfold between Branson and me, starting with the sparks of a crush in grade school, the flames of first love in high school and finally, the smoldering embers I was left with after he cut me out of his life. If anyone will understand, it’s Fiona.

“Hey, girl! I’ll be over in a sec!” she calls out from behind the bar. I choose a spot in the corner, hoping to avoid the prying eyes and listening ears always seeking gossip in our little town, and watch her wipe a mug of beer with a towel before setting it on the bar in front of a customer.

She makes a beeline for me, but her usual grin slips when she sees my face. “What’s wrong? Is everybody okay?”

“Everyone’s fine. I just ummm…” I’ve already torn the paper napkin in front of me to shreds, but I keep picking up the pieces and tearing each one in half again and again.

She plops down in front of me and grabs my hand. “Ginger. What is it? Spit it out. You’re scaring me.”

Her eyes lock on mine and I blink furiously, willing the tears to stay away. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Trudy Nelson, gossip queen. The last thing I need is for her to tell the whole town she saw me crying in public.

“It’s Branson. He’s in town.”

“He’s back?” Her eyes go wide. “Well, that’s unexpected. How did he look?”

“Look?” Of course that would be the first thing Fiona asks. In my mind’s eye, I see him standing in my shop with the sun shining in through the window behind him. His hair is longer than it was when he left. He has some new little linesaround his eyes and deeply tanned skin, the result of time spent in the sun. The truth was, he looked good. He looked amazing.

“I didn’t notice how he looked,” I lie. “He just barged into my shop and said he wants to get back together.” I start to laugh, bitterly at first, but soon it’s verging on hysterical.

“What? That’s ridiculous!” Fiona’s eyes flash with anger. “After what he did to you? He promises you the world, then breaks up with youin an emailand now he wants you back?” She slams her hand down on the table. “He was always cocky, but this! This is over the top even for him!”

“I know. He even said–.” Tears start to gather in my eyes and I angrily swipe them away. “He said he wants to spend his life with me. Grow old with me.” Despite my best effort, the sob has reached my chest and my voice wobbles on the last few words.

“Oh, Ginger.” The anger in Fiona’s eyes has turned to pity. I have never been able to tolerate pity. Even from my best friend.

“I told him to get lost. I handled it.” I yank another napkin from the holder and wipe my nose, turning away from Trudy whose eyes have been darting over to me at five-second intervals since I sat down. “So anyway, I just came here to tell you that. But I have to go back to work now.“

“Hey, I can get someone to cover for me. We can go somewhere else and talk.”

“No. I’m fine. He was at the shop and I just needed to get away for a minute. I’m fine now.”

“You’re not fine,” Fiona says, with a pointed look.

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