Page 30 of Fallen Hearts

“What about the whole engagement to the ex thing?”

“Just rumors.”

Our drinks arrived.

Lifting mine, I tried to make the best of her situation. “Well, you know what they say. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Hopefully, it will work out this time. But if it does come crashing down, at least you can say you tried.”

We clinked glasses. “Tell me what you’ve been up to,” she said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get together before now. I’ve been swamped at my new job.”

“I don’t think you told me what you do?”

“I’m a pharmacist,” she said. “And I honestly had no intentions of coming back to the area. But a position opened up, and I did miss my family, so…” She shrugged. “Here I am.”

“Funny, I don’t see you as a pharmacist.”

Delaney laughed. “Everyone says that.” She cocked her head to the side. “Do I give off more artist vibes?”

Actually… “Yes. You do.”

“That’s my first love. It started with painting pottery when I was little, and then I started sculpting my own pieces. One thing led to another”—she stuck out her wrist—“and I started painting and designing jewelry. This is mine.”

It was one of the most unique bracelets I’d ever seen, and I immediately wanted one. “Please tell me you sell those.”

“Someday, maybe. Happy to make you one though.”

“Why don’t you sell it?”

“I dunno, it just feels weird to charge people I know. I’m not good at that sort of thing. I guess I could do something like a craft circuit or something, but there’s not a lot of time for that with work. I’ve thought a lot about selling online or something, but there’s a million places to buy jewelry there, and it just seems like a dime a dozen. And pieces like this take so much time, I’m just not sure it’s worth it. Maybe it’s better to keep artistry as a hobby.”

“I get that.”

“But seriously, enough about me. How’s it been going so far? I couldn’t believe it when you told me you were going home. What happened?”

I told Delaney all about my arrival and Mason’s change of heart. And about the job, my old boss and why I wanted to succeed at this one so badly. She listened intently but nearly spat out her drink at one thing I’d said.

“Beck Claymont?”

I’d told her about Mason’s friends and how well I surprisingly got along with the one that I thought I’d dislike most.

“Actually, I didn’t even know his last name.”

“Dirty blond hair, sort of surfer-ish style? Tattooed arm? Super hot and extremely flirty?”

“Good description. That’s the one. You know him?”

“Know him. Dated him. Well, sort of. It was middle school, so I can’t say we went on any actual dates. In my defense, Cedar Falls isn’t that big. The pool of men is pretty pathetic.”

“I could totally see my younger self having done the same, before recognizing his type.”

“Heartbreaker, you mean?”

“Exactly.”

“I don’t know Parker though very well.”

“He and Mason met in college, so he’s not from here.”

“Ahh, makes sense.”

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