Page 10 of Best Friends for Never

She nods, then holds her thumb and pinkie finger up to her ear, like she’s talking into an old landline phone, indicating she wants me to call her later.

I nod, then connect my hands in a heart and continue on my way.

My mother is originally from Emerald Grove, and her love for this place is exactly why she wanted to move back when I was eight—so she could raise her daughter in the same small town that always meant so much to her. As much as I love it here, she loves it even more, putting her entire heart and soul into every volunteer opportunity she’s come across to keep it thriving. Despite her heartbreak, she’s done it all with a smile. Her commitment and endurance are easily my favorite things about her. She’s the most amazing woman in my life.

Well,oneof the most amazing. Noel’s grandmother takes a close second spot.

“Hey, Parker!” Fran from Francine May’s Pies calls from her open shop door. I’ve been to more birthday parties in this town that serve Fran’s pie than I have parties that serve cake. And really, it’s no surprise. Wafts of cinnamon, apples, fresh cherries, and sugar delight my nose as I pause. The place smells heavenly, and I’m beyond tempted to ruin my dinner for a slice of pie, but I resist ... barely.

“Hey, Fran.” I wave at her. “Gotta jet, but I’ll be in tomorrow.”

“I’ll save you a slice of marionberry!” She shoots me a wink as I keep moving forward.

I’m only stopped twice more—once by Dr. Z, who reminds me I need to get in for a checkup, even though I haven’t been a patient of his since I was fourteen, and then by Terry, who wants me to read his script, as he believes it’s the perfect piece for our opening night at the theater. That makes me feel good because Iknewthis town could benefit from the rebuilt theater and that people would be excited about it.

I waltz into the grocery store with a grin; wave to Peggy behind the front counter, who gives me a curt nod; and then head straight for the wine aisle.

If I hadn’t taken that sweet, sweet nap, I would have had more time to peruse the bottles and find us something fun and new to try, but now I’m going to play it safe and settle for an old favorite.

Looks like Axel is getting his precious red wine after all.

I grab the brand I know he loves, then a bottle of whiteIlove just to mess with him and turn toward the front.

Only there’s nowhere to go, and I smack straight into something hard.

When did Peggy put a wall here?

Did I get turned around?

“Shit.”

It’s one word.

One single, tiny word.

And it’s enough to rock my entire world.

I tip my head back, looking up, up, up and right into the eyes of someone I once thought would be in my life forever.

Into the eyes of someone I was wrong about. Someone I haven’t seen for ten years.

Right into the ocean eyes of Noel Carter, my former best friend.

And the boy who broke my heart.

Chapter Three

Noel

Fade In

Interior—Grocery Store—Evening

We find a man and a woman standing in the liquor aisle of a dimly lit local grocery, Jill’s Bait & Tackle. The store doesn’t sell bait or tackle and isn’t owned by anyone named Jill.

Noel Carter, a man fresh off a plane and a three-hour drive, who is in desperate need of something alcoholic to drink, stands poised and ready to grab a bottle of booze.

Parker Pruitt, a messy-haired woman wearing paint-stained overalls and carrying a reusable grocery bag that’s certainly seen better days, is Noel Carter’s former best friend. She clutches two bottles of wine to her chest and stares up at Noel with wide eyes.

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