Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“It’s a work in progress, but it’s getting there.” I motioned to the shelves lined with mugs, vases, and bowls in every shape and size. “Still trying to figure out how to display everything, but I think it’s coming together.”
“It definitely is.”
We chatted for a while, catching up on work, life, and everything in between. It was like we’d never missed a beat. It was always like that with us.
We’d met in the seventh grade, and it wasn’t exactly a picture-perfect start. I was the quiet, quirky girl who kept to herself. I spent most of my days sketching away in my notebooks, keeping to myself, while he was busy being the class clown and impossible to ignore.
Everyone loved him. One day, during lunch, he made some joke about my ‘rsf’ face, better known as ‘resting sketch face,’ and everyone around laughed. I wanted to crawl under the table and never come out.
But days later, he came over and sat next to me in art class. He gave me one of his charming smiles and asked, “So, what are you drawing?”
It was like he’d completely forgotten how he’d embarrassed me just days before. I, on the other hand, hadn’t forgotten and snapped, “Nothing.”
“Come on. Let me see.”
I was hesitant but eventually turned my sketch pad over and showed him my sketch of a dragon hiding beneath the forest. He studied it for several moments, then turned to me with wide eyes. “Holy shit. That’s badass.”
“You really think so?”
“Absolutely.” He looked back at the drawing, then suggested, “You should make him breathe fire.”
And that was it.
From that moment on, he was always there walking me to class, making me laugh when I was having a bad day, and showing up at my house like he was one of the girls. He became my safe place—the one person who didn’t just tolerate my silly quirks but actually liked them.
He never made me wonder or left me guessing about our unlikely friendship. I never had to wonder if he hoped for more. He’d made it clear from the start who held his heart, and it wasn’t me. He was head over heels for our history teacher, Mr. Henson. He’d lie on the floor in my room, going on about something he’d said in class or the clothes he’d worn that day. He knew there was no chance that Mr. Henson would feel the same about him, but that didn’t dampen his crush. If anything, it made him even more appealing.
I didn’t know what it was like to have feelings like that for someone.
And then, Holt came into the picture.
He and Rooks had been friends for years. I never really paid him much attention until the start of my freshman year. It was late—well after midnight, and I’d gone downstairs for a drink of water. He was sitting at the counter eating a bowl of cereal. I decided to join him, and we spent the better part of the night talking alone in the dark. It started more as a friendship, but the spark that ignited between us was undeniable.
I told Marcus about my feelings for Holt, and while he had his reservations, he was supportive. He was never jealous or resentful, not even when I started to spend more time with Holt than I did him. He was a true friend, and he remained my friend even when I was sent away.
He wrote letters, emailed, and called as often as he could. I did the same. When I discovered that I was pregnant, the calls kept coming. He stood by me the entire time, never judging or giving unsolicited advice. But he listened, and he cared. He always wanted the best for me.
I knew that hadn’t changed when he asked, “So, have you been seeing anyone?”
“No, not really.”
“Tallie,” he said, giving me that look. “We talked about this.”
“I know, but I’m just not ready.”
“It’s been five years.”
“I know. I know.” I let out a sigh. Ford was two when I finally gathered the courage to go against my father and reach out to Holt. That’s when I discovered he had been killed in the line of duty. I’d lost him. Our chance for reconnecting was gone. I was so devastated that I shut down and could barely function for months. “I’ve just had so much going on, and to be honest, I haven’t really met anyone I’d want to go out with anyway.”
“I might be able to help out with that.”
The words had barely left his mouth when Ford came rushing in with his new bowl cradled in his hands. “Look, Mom! I did it!”
“Oh, honey.” I smiled through the lump in my throat as I got up and knelt beside him. “It’s perfect, sweetheart.”
“I put a cat face on one side and a dog face on the other. That way, we can use it for whichever pet we get.”