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“You got taken to the police station at ten years old? How in the world did that happen?”
We were both laughing so hard now, and I motioned for Reese to tell the story.
“Finn and a few of our friends dared me to run through the Leonards’ farm. I wasn’t about to turn down a challenge. But I didn’t expect to get chased by a pack of pigs,” Reese said over her laughter.
“Yeah. I freaked when I saw them going after her, so I jumped in, and we both slipped in the wet mud and flopped around. I got her up, and we made it to the gate, but a bunch of the chickens and pigs and goats got out, and let’s just say, old Mr. Leonard wasn’t too pleased. We were taken to the station, and I swear it was worth it because I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. She was covered in mud and trying to explain that she got goosed by a goat.”
We were all laughing, as were the members of the crew around us.
“You two have quite a history. I imagine this one’s going to stick.” Lane smirked.
“I think it’s already sticking, Lane.”
And that wasn’t a lie.
fourteen
Reese
“What do you think?”Maggie asked as we stood in front of my new office space, looking at the logo she’d just painted on the window.
“I love it. It’s perfect. Thank you so much.” I took a couple of pictures with my phone to send to Finn, and we both hurried inside as the wind began to pick up.
“It looks so good. This has to make it feel very official.” Maggie and I had grown up together, and she owned Buttons & Boots, one of my favorite boutiques just a few doors down. She was an artist at heart, and painting was her true passion.
“It does,” I said, reaching into my purse and handing her the envelope with the money inside. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Pfft. I’m thrilled that you’re making your dream a reality. I knew that working at Barley’s Party Supplies was not your end game. I’m proud of you for taking the leap.”
I motioned for her to sit in the cute chair that I’d been storing in my parents’ garage. It was a white-and-pink floral armchair I’d had recovered shortly before I’d moved, when I thought I’d be moving in with Carl. I took the seat behind my desk.
“Yeah. I was ready for a change.”
“You’re not kidding. I mean, the job is a big change, but dating Finn…” She clapped her hands together, and the widest grin spread across her face. “I’d say you upgraded with both.”
The comment caught me off guard. Not that Finn wasn’t the greatest guy I knew, but I didn’t know that Maggie wasn’t a fan of Carl.
“Thank you. Yeah, I’m really happy. But Carl and I are still friends. I still care very deeply for him.”
She winced. “Oh, man. I didn’t mean to imply anything bad about him. I just, well, I always felt like he wanted you to be on board with his plan. It always seemed like it was his way or the highway. I don’t doubt that he loved you like crazy, as much as a man like Carl can.”
A man like Carl?
“What do you mean, ‘as much as a man like Carl can’?” I pressed, because I understood my family and Finn having an issue with Carl, but not someone who didn’t know all the details of what had gone down between us.
“I just mean that I think Carl thinks very highly of himself. His first love will always be—well, Carl.” She chuckled. “But all those years of you and Finn hanging out all the time, it was never like that. You both always celebrated one another in every way. And I saw you do that with Carl, but I never saw him reciprocate that with you.”
My heart raced a bit at her words because I knew deep down there was some truth to them. Maybe that was why I’d decided to go to London.
Maybe I hadn’t been selfish at all.
Maybe I’d been trying to show him that I was just as important as he was. It was true. It was Carl’s way or no way, and after a while, that had gotten old. I’d lost myself and my identity while doing everything for him, his way.There was more to this than I’d realized, and now, talking with Maggie, I was seeing things more clearly.
“Yeah, Finn is a natural at making everyone feel like they’re the most important person in the room.” I chuckled.
“He’s charming, that’s for sure. But he’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. I’d always thought he was in love with you. I’m just glad he finally realized it.”
I sucked in a breath.
