“Or maybe your story isn’t over yet,” I hedge gently, not wanting to overstep.
She barks out a mirthless laugh, but it dies quickly. “Trust me, it’s over.”
I let the matter drop, not wanting to cause further pain but sadness for my friend lingers. By her reaction every time he is near or mentioned, it’s obvious there are still feelings there.
Solemn silence settles over the room before Harlow breaks it, shifting the topic. “Well, are you ready to see these results? It’s been long enough,” she adds, looking down at the time on her phone.
My heart stutters nervously in my chest, bracing itself for the rejection I’ve already mentally prepared for. Swallowing hard, I manage a nod.
“I’ll do it,” Penny volunteers, rising from her seat.
I release a long breath as she disappears into the bathroom, my clammy hands trembling as I rub them up and down my legs.
Harlow and Hollis each take a hand, offering silent support.
Penny returns moments later, holding all three of the tests I took, bringing my heart to a screeching halt.
“Well?” Harlow prompts impatiently. “What’s the verdict?”
Penny’s gaze fixes on mine, an array of emotions playing across her face. “Positive.”
I tense, every muscle in my body going rigid with shock, and I fear I just misheard her. “What?”
A radiant smile lights up her entire face. “They’re positive. All of them.”
I leap from my seat and snatch the tests from her hands, struggling to comprehend it all. My heart swells at the sight of the two pink lines on each test. A mixture of disbelief and elation crash over me before we all dissolve into celebratory screams, jumping up and down and embracing each other tightly.
“I can’t believe this,” I cry, wiping away tears as I become overwhelmed in the best way.
“I’m so happy for you,” Penny whispers, her voice choked with emotion.
“For both you and Gunnar,” Hollis adds with a smile.
“Gunnar,” I gasp, reality crashing down on me. “I need to see him. I have to tell him the news.”
“Yes, you do,” Harlow insists, already ushering me toward the door. “Go. We’ll see ourselves out. Just make sure to call us later.”
“I will, I promise.” After one last hug, I dash out the door, rushing out into the moonlit night in my slippers, refusing to waste time with shoes.
On the way to my car, I come face to face with Heart Mountain. Its imposing figure looms proudly in the distance, taunting me with the memories from that night so long ago.
For a fleeting moment, that sad eight-year-old girl resurfaces, her young broken heart healing with hope and knowledge. “Sorry I ever doubted you.”
With a smile, I settle into my car and pull out of my driveway, my heart guiding me toward the one place I belong—beside my best friend, the man who holds my entire heart and soul in the palm of his hands.
Gunnar
Darkness haunts me like a shadow, tracking my every move as I work well into the night. Despite being caught up on work, I find myself cemented here, using every distraction possible to avoid the harrowing emptiness that’s consumed my life these past few days. Anything to keep my mind from drifting to the girl who shattered the vow she once made when we were kids.
I’ll never leave you, Gunnar. You’ll always be my best friend.
A sudden vice grips my jaw, the raw pain tearing apart my insides.
I guess it’s true what they say—every promise is fated to fracture, no matter who makes it. Even if it’s your best fucking friend.
I grip the sudden bout of anger, letting it override the pain. Anger at Maxine for thinking it was okay to show up the way she did and ruin the best thing that ever happened to me. At myself for not caring enough to text her back, my indifference now a cruel mockery.
Most of all, though, I’m angry at Elle. Furious at her for not only walking out on me but for doubting my feelings about everything we’ve been through these past few months. It was a low blow, a betrayal that I hold onto because feeling angry is a hell of a lot better than the alternative.
I’m so lost in the turmoil of my own thoughts that I don’t hear anyone enter the shop until Bear’s barking pierces the silence. A desperate whine quickly follows that sends him racing toward the entrance, his excitement giving me a pretty good idea who it is.
A spark of hope ignites in the raging furnace of my anger. I clutch the hot flame, refusing to let it fade as I round the corner to find Bear and Ellie locked in an embrace.
The sight of her on her knees, arms thrown around my dog, sends a deep ache through my chest.
Bear’s tongue laps at her face, smothering her with affection.
“I’ve missed you too, boy,” she whispers. “So much.”
I numb myself from the warmth edging her voice, refusing to let it fill the void. “What are you doing here?”
Her head lifts at my icy tone, the brightness of her smile dimming as she slowly rises to her feet. “I came to see you,” she exclaims softly. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“I’m working.”
A flicker of hurt flashes across her face before she buries it with a shrug. “That’s fine. I’ll talk while you work.”
