Page 10 of Midnight Lessons

Mom gently strokes her thumb over my knuckles, drawing my gaze back to her. Her expression is cautious, her eyes filled with concern. “How did it feel, seeing him again?”

The question catches me off guard, and I struggle for an answer. “I… I don’t know. It was hard. I thought I’d moved on, but seeing him—” I break off, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It brought everything back.”

They don’t need me to elaborate on whateverythingmeans. They know the story as well as I do—the cruel words he said to his friends that broke my heart and how I retaliated by running straight into Matthew Crane’s arms. It was a rash, stupid decision, but I was so hurt, so angry. I wanted to push Owen away, to keep him at a distance. And Matthew… Well, he made it easy.

“You were devastated,” Dad says softly, his voice filled with that quiet, fierce protectiveness he’s always shown me. “But, honey, you were both so young. And young people… they make mistakes.”

Mistakes. That’s putting it lightly. “Dad, he said horrible things about me. Things I’ll never forget.”

“I know,” he says gently. “And I’m not excusing that. But he tried to apologize, didn’t he? He tried to make it right.”

I stiffen, the old anger flaring back to life. “I didn’t want to hear it. He had his chance. He threw us away.”

“He was immature,” Mom interjects softly, squeezing my hand. “Hurtful, yes, but you two were barely out of high school, honey. It was adifficult time for both of you. And then Matthew…”

Her voice trails off, and the familiar prickle of guilt settles in my stomach. They never liked Matthew. Not from the beginning. But they put on brave faces and supported me anyway, knowing I was using him as a shield. And they were right—Matthew was never really who I wanted.

“He wasn’t good for you,” Dad says bluntly. “You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I admit quietly. “But he was… safe. Predictable. And he hated Owen, which made it easier for me to stay away.”

“Easier, maybe,” Mom murmurs. “But not better.”

My chest tightens painfully. “I don’t know what to think now. He’s back, and it’s like no time has passed, and I’m terrified that if I let him in, he’ll break me all over again.”

“That’s a risk,” Dad agrees. “But, Willow, people change. He was a boy back then, and now he’s a man.”

“A good man, from what I hear,” Mom adds. “He’s doing well for himself. But, more importantly, he came back. And he’s still grieving for his parents. We all are. Leah and Henry were good friends. Maybe it’s time you gave him another chance.”

I stare at them, stunned. “Are you saying I should forgive him?”

“No,” Dad says slowly, choosing his words with care. “We’re saying you shouldn’t let the past keep you from seeing who he is now. You’re stronger and smarter. If he hurts you again, you’ll know how to handle it.”

“Keep an open mind,” Mom says gently. “You deserve happiness, Willow. If Owen can give that to you, don’t shut the door on it because he was careless and thoughtless with his words.”

Emotion wells up, thick and overwhelming. “You think he regrets it?”

Dad shrugs. “I think he said those things about you in a moment of madness. Peer pressure and hormones do crazy things to teenagers. I’d hate for you to throw away a second chance at happinessbecause of something that happened when you were both kids.”

I take a deep, shaky breath, absorbing their words. A second chance. The very idea is terrifying and exhilarating. Can I let myself try again? Can I risk my heart on him once more? Does he even want me in that way? Or does he simply want to apologize and move on?

“You’re not obligated to do anything,” Mom says softly, stroking my hair. “Just think about it.”

I nod slowly, my mind spinning. “I will.”

“Good,” Dad says firmly. “And if he so much as looks at you wrong, you send him to me. I’ve still got my old baseball bat in the shed.”

Laughter bubbles up, easing the tight knot in my chest. “Deal.”

Mom pulls me into a warm hug, and for the first time since Owen walked through the bakery door today, hope stirs anew. At the very least, we could be friends again. But no matter what, I won’t let him break me again.

If Owen wants a second chance, he’ll have to prove he deserves it.

Chapter 4

Owen

The hum of chatter fades as I close the textbook, letting the class know without words that we’re wrapping up. All around me, students shift in their seats, glancing eagerly at the clock above the whiteboard.

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