I nodded."Pretty much sums her up."We sipped our tea.I paused."Do you want a muffin or cookie?I didn't think to ask."
"No, I'm good with my chai tea.Anyhow, on to more interesting subjects or I should saysubject.Did you see the video?"
I winced."I think everyone in the world saw it.How is he?"
"He's good.Just a few cracked ribs."She paused and her eyes watered for a second.She took a deep breath."Could have been a lot worse.He narrowly missed some rocks."It seemed the Stone cousins were all still as close as ever.I'd always envied their big family.
"Shit.Well, I'm glad he's all right.I wanted to text him, but I'm sure he wouldn't respond.I fucked up any chance of the two of us being friends again."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Jules said."I think there's still a chance."She set down the tea she'd just picked up."Stella and her roommates are having a party tomorrow night.You should come.I'm sure Theo will be there."
"I can't just show up at your cousin's party.How is Stella?"
"It's an open invite to all the locals.Stella and her roommates have this funky old beach house, and it's perfect for partying.And LaLa is fine.She's finishing up her bachelor's degree in archaeology and hoping to get into the graduate program, so she can do some world traveling.I'm excited for her, but I'm also terrified that she's going to leave me alone with the wild five, the boys."
I laughed."The wild five sums those boys up pretty well.Is Cormac still fearless?"
"And reckless and throw-all-caution-to-the-wind."She took a sip of tea."You should come to the party.I'll text you the address."
"I'll think about it.But I'm sure Theo won't want to see me."
"I guess there's only one way to find out."Her phone buzzed, and she took it out of her pocket."Hmm, I've got to head out soon.I'm working for my mom and Aunt Brit at their real estate office.Think I might get my license along with my accountant's certification.I really like the business."
"My mom said they're selling a lot of houses in the area.Good for them."
"They worked hard for this success.I'm really proud of them.How about you?I thought you were working at a prestigious law firm."
I sighed dejectedly."It's funny how lifelong dreams can get smashed when they run smack into reality.One of the law partners, an old creep who smelled like menthol, was very handsy with me, and I couldn't take the abuse.I left the firm and I'm now extremely happy giving legal advice online to people who can't afford big law firms.It's very low stress and fulfilling.Even if the pay is half of what I was earning.At least no one can grab my ass while I pour myself a cup of coffee."I lifted my hand and pinched together two fingers."I once came this close to throwing an entire cup of hot coffee in his face but then I remembered he had a powerful law firm behind him, and he wouldn't hesitate to have me arrested and sued."
"Ugh, I hate men like that."
I smiled."You're lucky to be surrounded and loved by the Stone boys.I still remember that time Brian Hayes tried to grab you in the lunchroom.Theo and Cormac shot across the room so fast, I was sure Brian would piss his pants when he saw them tearing toward him."
"Sometimes LaLa and I get annoyed with how protective they all are, but it's nice to know they're around."
The door opened, and a big group of cyclists, biking shorts, shoes and all, piled into the coffee shop, making the place feel as if it might burst out of its seams."There has to be some sort of fire safety limit," I said."I guess that's probably our cue to go."
"Yep, I've got to get to work anyway.Thanks for the tea."
We tossed our cups and moved through the maze of cyclists.They smelled of sweat and sunblock and road grit.It was a relief to step outside into the fresh air.
"I'll send you the address," Jules said."You should come.I think you two just need to get stuff out in the open."
I raised a brow at her."We are talking about Theo Stone, correct?He's not exactly Mr.Open."
"True but I think he might be with you.You know, he'd kill me for saying this, but he never got over you leaving town.He was miserable and grumpy for months.I still don't think he's over you.But that's just my humble little opinion.What do I know?"
"Well, considering you won the county spelling bee and you were on the math team, I'd say you know a lot.But Theo Stone?He's a tough puzzle to solve.Send the address.I might go.If nothing else, it'd be fun to see everyone again."
"People will lose their minds."She started to walk to her car but stopped and turned back."So, you're staying?In Trayton, that is."
"For so long I thought I wanted nothing more to do with this town, but now that I'm back, I realize that it still feels like home.That said, I'm not sure if I'll stay.It's been nice catching up with my parents."
"Tell them hello for me."Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she rolled her eyes."Speaking of parents.I'm not even late yet.Hopefully, I'll see you at the party tomorrow night."
TWENTY-ONE
THEO
