I order a slice of pizza and then grab a seat at the only table outside. Durango’s words play over and over in my head. He can’t deal with me. It’s familiar.
He said that a few times to his sister back in high school. He usually would stay mad at her for a week, but eventually, everything would go back to normal.
Maybe that’s what is happening here. I just dropped the truth on him tonight. Perhaps in time, he will realize that I was young and immature ten years ago. I’ll show him I’m not the same girl I used to be.
I finish the slice and stare out at the people walking by. How am I going to do that if he doesn’t want to be around me?
I stand up and toss my napkins into the garbage. I’ll give him space for now. He needs time to process everything, and I need to get my life back on track.
At the least, I hope he is willing to be friends. Because, despite his anger, one thing I realized when I saw him again is that I have really missed him.
CHAPTER 2
Durango
Willow’s beenin town for three months. She left Ozzie’s after a few weeks and moved into a friend’s apartment in Queens. Despite the distance, I still see her fairly often.
At first, when she told me the truth about her and Ozzie, I swore I was done with her. But I couldn’t stay away. The more time we spend together, the stronger my feelings have grown for her. She’s made it clear that she wants me but isn’t ready to date just yet.
“Thanks for the lift,” I tell CT as I get into his car.
I flew into SeaTac Airport to meet the guys at Morgan Thompson Security for an assignment we are doing together. Fortunately, CT was available for a ride.
“No problem.” He pulls out onto the highway, and the rain is coming down hard.
“I thought the forecast was for light rain today.”
He shakes his head. “Not sure where you read that. Unfortunately, it’s been coming down hard all week. And it’s been warm, so the snow in the mountains has been melting.”
Since I’m from Montana, I know what it means if the snow cap melts too fast. “Are the rivers cresting?”
“They are. They’ve all been in flood stage since last night. You’ll see it when we get closer to Pine Valley.” Pine Valley is where CT lives and where the Morgan Thompson Security office is located.
CT glances over at me. “What’s wrong?”
I laugh. “It’s that obvious?”
“It is. And I need your head in the game for this assignment. So, what’s going on?”
I tell him about Willow and what happened ten years ago.
“Ouch,” CT says. “That’s not cool that she used Ozzie like that.”
“No, it’s not. But she was really remorseful when she told me. And in that moment, I swore I was done with her. I left, never intending to talk to her again.”
“But?” CT asks with a grin.
“I still have feelings for her, but she’s not ready to date or move beyond friendship. I don’t know the full story, but it sounds like things didn’t go well with her ex. I’m trying to be patient, but part of me wonders if she is having second thoughts about me.”
“How long has she been in New York?” CT asks.
“Months,” I say, not wanting to really admit how long it’s been.
“Damn, sounds like her ex really hurt her. Is she in therapy?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
The rain comes down harder, and CT turns the windshield wipers on faster.
