Page 100 of Butter My Biscuit

“I kinda figured that was the case. Was just waiting for you to tell me.” I glance out the window that overlooks the sidewalk.

“It wasn’t something I wanted to text. I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” I tell him. “So, that was it?”

“Yeah.” He studies me for a brief second, and no tears fall. I don’t have any left. “It was really good seein’ you.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” I whisper.

“I won’t.” He pats my hand, then stands and walks away.

I watch him go to his truck, back out, and then drive into the quiet of the night.

I expected it. I did. And I know exactly what this means—they’re serious.

I pick up my phone and message Landon.

Grace

Want to go to Hawaii with me next month?

20

HARRISON

Ihaven’t seen Grace in almost a month, since I told her I couldn’t join her for her sister’s wedding. A part of me hoped she would give me some sort of reaction, maybe even ask me to change my mind, but she didn’t. That’s one thing about Grace: she won’t beg anyone to join her, not even me.

I knew that and hoped things would get back to normal between us. They haven’t, but I’m getting used to the way it feels though. I’m learning to live with the loss of our friendship, even already mourning it in a sense. And it’s not because I want to.

It’s because she’s avoiding me.

It only took thirty days for me to understand my place in her world after everything we’d been through together. I’m convinced it’s what she wanted, so she can easily forget about what we could’ve had. The silence is deafening.

I take three steps onto the porch of the gigantic brick home on the outskirts of town. With a bouquet in my hand and a smile on my face, I ring the doorbell. I hear footsteps that are followed by the door swinging open. Stephanie meets me with a sparkle in her eye, dangly pearl earrings, and a grin that could end a war.

“You remembered my favorite?” She looks down at the white roses, and I hand them to her.

She inhales, then allows me inside. Not a thing has changed in her parents’ house, not even the pictures on the wall. I follow her to the kitchen, where she fills a vase with water and snips the ends of the flowers.

“What’s going on?”

“Thought I’d surprise you.”

She moves over to me and places a soft kiss on my lips. “Funny because I was just thinking about you. Today is our one-month dating anniversary.”

“I know,” I tell her with a grin, picking up a brochure with the Eiffel Tower on the front. It’s lit with lights, and they’ve Photoshopped stars behind it. I set it back on the counter.

“I’d like to go someday,” she tells me, glancing at it. “When I went to Europe last, I didn’t have time to visit, even if it was on my bucket list.”

I nod. “Well, maybe that’s where we’ll go for our honeymoon.”

She wraps her arm around me, looking into my eyes. “You’reserious?”

“Yeah.” I catch the faint hint of a familiar smell on her skin. Vanilla. And it reminds me of Grace. Or maybe I’m hallucinating because she’s been on my mind so much lately.

“About that,” she says. “I know I told you I didn’t want to be exclusive until we knew forever was in the picture. I didn’t care who you fooled around with, whatever, didn’t matter.”

“And that agreement went both ways,” I remind her.

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