“I’d mailed him a few packages at prearranged points for him to pick up at post offices along his trip, but he’d told me he was going fully off-grid and likely wouldn’t be calling. So I didn’t think anything of it. I feel terrible about that now. Maybe if I’d insisted on checking in…”
“It’s fine, Will. That was the plan. I remember it all now.” His voice dropped an octave.
Sofia angled her body toward his, concern creasing her brow. But he still didn’t look at her.
Willow’s expression softened as well. “It was an important trip to you. I’m sorry it took such a turn. But I’m so grateful for everyone here.” She gestured around the table, her eyes lingering on Sofia’s for a moment then going back to her brother.
“It’s the strangest thing.” Willow paused, as if she wasn’t sure she should say what came next. “Isaiah and I are half-siblings, so we didn’t live together growing up. Izz, do you remember when I lived in Oregon for a year in elementary school?”
Isaiah’s eyes went distant, then they opened wide. “I do remember that. You were in what? Third grade?”
“Yep. And guess where I was living.”
Everyone watched her, waiting to hear the response.
“Here, in Emerald Hollow.”
Ash let out a surprised laugh, and Sofia’s jaw dropped. Beside her, Holly stiffened a little and glanced at her watch.
“No way,” Sofia said.
“Isn’t it crazy? What are the chances?”
“Wait a minute…” Luca spoke up, his brow knitting. “Willow. Willow Moss?”
Willow nearly jumped out of her seat. “Yes! Wait… Do we know each other?”
“I’m not sure how I could forget a name like Willow Moss. You were in class with my sister, Ellie. You came over to our house once or twice. I’m Luca Moretti.”
“Luca Moretti!” Willow clapped once. “I remember you. Wow, what a small world.”
“And years later, your brother ends up losing his memory and spending two months here,” Sofia said slowly, struggling to process her thoughts. Despite the joyous reminiscing that was happening around her, her hands were numb as she clenched them together under the table.
“Life’s weird like that,” Willow said, shrugging as if the coincidence didn’t bother her in the slightest.
“It certainly is,” Holly agreed, and Sofia detected a hint of confusion or possibly even concern in her voice.
But she didn’t have time to wonder about it more because just then, Tyler began to bring out their food. There was a break in the conversation as the group ate. Nausea twisted slightly in Sofia’s stomach, and she pushed her food lightly across her plate.
“This situation kind of feels like something fromThe Twilight Zone,” Isaiah murmured in her direction, and Sofia jolted when she realized he was speaking to her. He looked tired. She wondered if getting his memories back had affected him physically.
“It really does,” Sofia said, her stomach unclenching slightly.
“Hey, are you okay? You didn’t eat anything,” Isaiah observed, glancing down at her plate.
“I’m fine. But is everything okay with—” Sofia couldn’t put her question into words. She should be thrilled that Isaiah had rediscovered his identity.Two different versions of me,she thought, her stomach sinking once more.
Isaiah shifted his attention to something Willow was saying when Sofia didn’t finish the thought.
Next to her, Holly leaned in close. “Is there anything I can do?” she asked softly, her eyes green lakes of understanding.
Sofia shook her head but gave Holly a forced smile. She knew what was going to happen next by the way the conversation was going between Isaiah and Willow.
The fun and games were over. Isaiah was going home.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
SOFIA
