Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I can hear the smile in her voice. My sister is logical and thinks differently than I do, so I always appreciate her insight.
“You’re right about that. It was an experience of a lifetime. Maybe I just need some good quality sleep. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in my own bed, and on top of all that, I’m mentally exhausted.”
“That’s very true. You have a lot of decisions to make. You just completed two huge projects back-to-back that took a lot of mental and physical work. Gotta give yourself some grace, Oakley.”
“Yes, mother,” I say with love, knowing she’s going to be an amazing parent with good advice. My niece will be so lucky to have Tatum as her mom.
“Go home and rest for a few days, then see how you feel once you’re not exhausted. Promise me, okay?”
“I promise.”
Tatum chuckles. “You know they say distance makes the heart grow fonder. And if it doesn’t, no big deal. You’re young, beautiful, and talented, so there’s no rush on who you’ll spend forever with.”
“Before you called me, I broke down in the bathroom. I’ve never done that before.” I laugh at myself. “But I’m already starting to feel a lot better after chatting with you and letting it all out.”
“Good. Cheer up because it’s all going to work out. It always does. Try to remember to take baby steps so you don’t overwhelm yourself. I know you, Oakley. You go, go, go nonstop. You always have.”
“I can’t help it, but I’ll try. Thanks for talking me off the ledge.”
“Of course. What are big sisters for?”
I chuckle. “Conversations like this.”
After I’m much calmer, we talk about the baby and the surf shop. I’m happy for the distraction.
Once it’s time to board my flight, I let her know I have to go.
“Thank you again,” I graciously say. “Seriously.”
“You’re welcome, sis. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“I will. Love you!”
“Love you, too.”
I board the plane, and as we lift off into the air, I watch the autumn colors disappear below the clouds. A few tears roll down my cheeks, and I wipe them away before closing the window blind.
I have no idea what the future holds, but my heart will forever be in Vermont with Finn. We might’ve only been together for a short time, but the pain will last a long time.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
FINN
TWO WEEKS LATER
“You look like shit,” Jessa tells me when I enter the inn.
I glare, huffing in response.
She’s not wrong. I can’t fucking sleep.
It’s been two grueling weeks since I dropped Oakley off at the airport, and it feels like I haven’t slept since then. I got used to holding her and us snuggling through the night. Now my bed is cold and lonely.
As I grab a plate, Jessa walks over. “Need a tranq? I’m sure I can find you one. Knock your ass out for a few days.”
“I’m not in the mood,” I growl, trying my hardest to ignore her, but she keeps following me around the buffet.
“Let me help you. What’s on your schedule today? I can get someone else to take care of it so you can rest.”
“No.”
“Well, you’re going to get yourself killed if you work while exhausted. You shouldn’t even be driving.”
“Operations don’t stop because I’m having a hard time. I’ve done it before, and I’ll work through it again. Don’t make it a big deal.”
After Aspen and I broke up, I was fucking miserable for weeks. I was barely functional but powered through it for the sake of the orchard.
However, this feels different.
It’s so much worse.
“Have you two spoken?” She follows me to a table, helping herself to the chair across from me.
“Not since she told me she landed in LA.”
Two weeks ago. Might as well be an eternity because that’s what it feels like.
“Why not?” She snags a piece of my bacon, and I scowl.
“She needed time to get settled in and figure shit out with her place.”
Not being able to touch and kiss her while we talked would hurt too much.
Jessa purses her lips, then grabs her phone. She types something, then sets it down.
“There.”
“There, what?”
“I just texted her.”
I pop a brow. “Why?”
“Why not? We’re friends. I can check on her.”
I stab my fork into my eggs and sausage, shoving both in my mouth so I can get the hell out of here quicker.
When her phone vibrates, my heart rate increases.
“Hmm...”
I want to ask her what Oakley said, but I know Jessa’s baiting me, so I stay quiet. After she sends another message, she sets her phone down again.
“You know, she’s not Aspen.”
“Of course she’s not,” I grind out. “I’ve never thought that.”
“I’m just saying, if you stopped acting so jaded after one bad relationship, you’d see that Oakley and you are perfect for each other.”
“Doesn’t stop the fact that she lives across the fucking country, Jessa. It’s not even the same.”