Page 21 of This Time Around


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“Is there anything you miss? You know, from our time?”

He studied her serious expression while he thought of his answer.

If he had to be honest with himself, no. Not really. Not now.

Sure, he’d left his job behind, and this moment in time wasn’t the easiest. But there was no one important left behind to miss.

Was it a bit selfish? Leaving all responsibilities aside to stay put in these moments, watching movies about magical places next to a girl with sparkly eyes, hair as unruly as her attitude, and a touch so warm his skin felt branded even through his clothes?

He didn’t think he would want to change a thing even if it was.

So many times he’d felt robbed of so many things in his childhood, he was convinced that he was owed these moments. And he intended to grab them with both hands.

Clearing his throat, he said “I’m not sure.” He held her gaze steadily. “I probably should, but I don’t think I do. Plus,” he added, hoping it would lighten up the mood, “why would I miss anything when I got myself a new friend who forces me to watch whatever she wants?”

Her belly laugh was so sudden her eyes crinkled at the edges.

“Which reminds me, I believe it’s my turn to choose what we’re going to watch next time. And I don’t want to hear any sort of complaint from you.”

“Why would I complain?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“No reason, I just get this feeling.”

“Well then, just don’t give me a reason to complain and I won’t.”

“Sorry, can’t do that,” Nate shrugged.

“What’s that tone? I don’t like that look on your face, Nate. What are you planning?”

Nate rubbed his jaw, pretending to think hard.

“I was thinking something along the lines of a good thriller.”

Her horrified expression told him everything he needed to know.

***

Nate’s phone alerted him to a text message.

It was later that evening, and Madison had already gone home.

After the second movie had finished, he’d offered to take her home but she’d insisted that it was just a short walk. He’d relented but only if she texted him when she got home okay, which she had.

He’d watched her take the few steps from his door to the sidewalk. Watched her turn her head briefly, looking back at him with a smile and small wave of her hand. And kept watching her until she’d disappeared from his view.

Nate could still feel the pang of something he’d felt in his chest before he’d shaken himself out of whatever that weird feeling had been.

Closing the door behind him, he’d cleaned up the empty bowls of their snacks, and had headed to his room after calling out a round of ‘Goodnights’ to his family.

Which brought him back to the text message that could only be by either Liam or Cooper.

He sighed seeing Coop’s name.

Coop: Don’t leave me hanging here, how was the date?

Nate loved his two best friends. He really did.

They’d always weirdly complemented each other, Cooper being a constant shit-stirrer, Liam the most reasonable one of the three, and Nate falling somewhere in between depending on the situation. They had met when they were kids and had stuck together through thick and thin. Even going to different universities later on hadn’t succeeded in breaking them up.