Page 17 of Where You Left Me

“Okay.” She nods and smiles.

“I’ll let you get back to work. But let me know if you’re up for hanging out this weekend. Or next week for Wine Wednesday.”

My stomach churns at the mention of Wine Wednesday. I rest my hand on my belly. “I think I’ll be skipping Wine Wednesday for the rest of the summer.”

Cammie snorts a laugh. “Nice try but we both know Rosie’s a pro at peer pressure.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. But I can’t do that again. Pretty sure I humiliated not only myself but Jones as well. Not to mention, I got sick and crashed at his place. Which should be against the rules for exes.”

Her lips go round. “Holy crap! You stayed the night with Jones?”

I open my mouth to speak but clamp it shut. I guess I had assumed Maverick told Cammie.

“Nothing happened. I slept in his bed, and he slept on the couch.” I expect some pushback to my response, or at least some questioning eyes, but she surprises me with none of that.

Instead, she says, “That sounds like Jones.”

I lift my brows.

“Like the old Jones. The Jones he was when he was with you.” She sighs. “Man, I’ve missed the old Jones. The new one is sort of a dick.”

I exhale a light laugh. “I’ve noticed that.”

“Oh no, I’m sorry he was like that with you.”

I shrug a shoulder. “I probably deserved it. At least a little.”

“About that,” she teases.

Ellis calls me, “Mia? I need your help at the register.”

“Later,” I assure Cammie.

“Okay, see ya soon. Feel better.”

If I wasn’t so annoyed with Ellis needing my help every two seconds, I’d be relieved. But maybe giving Cammie the full story of everything that went down eight years ago now would be better.

The only thing getting me through the shift is knowing Mom and Dad appreciate me being here to help. That and my cozy child twin bed waiting for me after I clock out. The end is in sight. All I have to do is lock up and count the till and I’m home free. My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Mom

Dad wants you to come see him after you close the store. It has something to do with Bikes and Beers.

Me

Be there as soon as I can.

Right after I say goodbye to Ellis and he slips out the door, two guys appear on the other side of the glass. One I unfortunately recognize, holds up his phone.

“Wait, wait, please don’t close,” Matt pleads.

His phone screen reflects a QR code for paid rental fees for rock climbing gear. All it really tells me is how irresponsible he is because he missed his rental time by two hours. I roll my eyes as I glance up at him, already knowing I’m going to give in.

Matt is a douche and a half. At least he was when I attended school with him all the way until graduation. I saw him at The Pines last night for all of five minutes. Almost all five of those minutes occurred while I was on the karaoke stage making a complete ass of myself.

Despite my impending urge to deny this guy the rented gear, I unlock the door and step aside while they usher inside.

“Thank you, seriously, you have no idea.”

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