Page 92 of Forbidden to Fall

However long it was, it wouldn’t be enough.

“That’s no problem,” he said.

I looked over at him, but he was staring at his knees. “Really? You’ll still be in town?”

“Yeah.”

I tried to think of another approach that would get me more information. Maybe asking him directly? There was an idea.

“I’m not going back.”

My legs stopped swinging, and my gaze swung to his.

He met it, smiling wryly. “Don’t look so excited.”

I let out a breathy laugh. “Are you serious? You’re staying? For good?”

He nodded.

I’d asked my sequence of questions and now didn’t know what to say. I’d gone fishing and caught a whale. What did you do with a whale?

“I’ve been away long enough. I want to be here now.” His gaze held mine.

I swallowed, completely still. Was he—? Did he mean⁠—?

He broke his gaze away. “The farm needs me. So does Mama.”

I let out a breath, half-relief, half-disappointment. “I bet she’s over the moon.”

He smiled and watched his feet again, which were swinging gently. “Enough to make up for how everyone else will feel?”

“Don’t say that. Tate and Liv were happy to see you. Bennett and Dom too. They’ll be glad you’re staying.”

It was quiet for a few seconds.

“And what about you?”

My heart skipped a few beats, and I forced a laugh. “We’ve been over this. You’re my friend.” I bumped his shoulder with mine. “Of course I’m glad you’re staying.”

Understatement of the year.

James would be in Autumn Ridge for good. I wouldn’t have to try to remember his smile or his laugh. They’d be just down the road.

“Me staying is complicated for you, though,” James said. “Much more than it is for Tate or Dom.”

I shrugged like I didn’t think much of it—like I hadn’t been living the thought for weeks. “It’s been eight years.”

“And he still hates me.”

My heart raced. This was the first time we’d talked more directly about what had happened between Ryan and him. I had so many questions. Questions I wouldn’t have dared ask James when he’d first returned to Autumn Ridge. But we were friends now, and what were friends if you couldn’t have the tough conversations?

“The fact that he does is a testament to how much your friendship meant to him.”

James searched my face, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

I lifted a shoulder. “Twisted but true.”

He sighed and let his head fall back so he was looking up at the sky. “I miss him. A lot. Most of my memories here include him.” His mouth pulled into a smile. “You know, he was the one who released those chickens into the school our sophomore year. And the one who covered the mayor’s car in plastic wrap.”