Page 25 of Fall Apart

On the bright side, I get to spend my morning with a different, much more pleasant Chapman. I’m meeting Grace for brunch at the cafe overlooking downtown, just across the street from Finch.

She’s the closest thing I have to a real friend out here, even if Clay says we’re friends or friendly or whatever now. We’ve done brunch two weekends in a row and gone out for drinks a couple times in between. Collin was right. She’s fun and we’ve hit it off. I’m glad I’m sitting across the table from her for brunch today and she brought Kayleigh this time.

“You’re really going to have to tell me more about this cowboy sandwich.” Grace flicks her eyebrows at Kayleigh before grinning at me. “I mean I get it. The whole rugged Wyoming cowboy thing. Butsharing with Collin?” She looks back down at her food and shakes her head. “I told you, Kayleigh, Lizzy’s a wild one.”

I cover my mouth and snort a very unladylike laugh. “You could say that. But yeah, it was definitely something. A story for another day. MyTour de Lizzyis starting to catch up with me.”

She quirks an eyebrow at me and stabs a strawberry with her fork, and points it back at me. “Yeah, you’ve told me about Johnathan. Now you’re living for yourself. I get it. I mean, I have no idea what I want either. I want to travel. I want to see the world. I want to know myself. And I don’t know how that fits into dating.”

I look at her with a new appreciation. I’m sure growing up with two domineering brothers and losing your mom so young meant maturing in a different way. When I was in my mid-twenties, I was growing my career but also already dating and looking for a husband that my mom would approve of. I was on a mission and found Johnathan in my late twenties. So I’m glad she’s living for herself and not rushing.

“Yeah. That’s sort of where I’m at now, just eight or nine years ahead of you.” I look towards the ceiling and roll my shoulders. “I think I’m fine living by myself and not settling. It’s not that I don’t want someone. I just want a man that’s going to be apartnerwith me, an equal.”

The truth is, I’m not sure I really know what I want. I feel like I have a second chance after dodging a bullet with Johnathan. An equal would be amazing. Someone that lights a spark in me and sees me for me. But do I want to try to settle down again?

Grace smiles and chuckles. “Girl, good luck. Dating sucks. The dating pool isn’t exactly filled with great options. Too many boys, no men.”

“You can say that again.” I couldn’t think of anything truer right now. The lack of decent, dateable men in the world is truly horrifying. And they don’t just grow Tanner Chapmans on a tree in Wyoming. Inotice that Kayleigh has been quiet all brunch except for the occasional laugh here and there. “What about you, Kayleigh? How’s the dating world treating you?”

Grace’s eyes dart to Kayleigh’s, who smiles half-heartedly. “My career choice and training schedule don’t exactly make dating easy. But Charlie is pretty easy going and the long distance thing has worked for us for the most part.” She takes a sip of her drink and smiles back at me. “But Grace tells me you’re liking full time life in Park City? I loved growing up here. It’s a great place to live if you like the outdoors and skiing.”

“So far, so good.” Taking a second to actually think about it, I’m glad I chose to come out here, however long this assignment might take. It’s already looking like I’ll be here long enough for my lease back home to be up by the time I go back. “It’s been a good change. I needed a fresh start, or at least a reset from life back in Ohio. And besides, now I have Grace as a friend. And maybe you eventually.” I smile warmly back at them both.

She beams back at me before Grace chimes in.

“Same, girl. Met anyone else out here besides your coworkers?”

“Not really. I’ve seen your brother around though. Almost every day. He’s actually grown on me a bit after he started bringing me coffee every morning.” I know it’s been sort of a weird game with us each morning, but I do find myself looking forward to it, as obnoxious as he can be.

Grace stops mid bite and puts her fork down, looking at me like I have two heads. Even Kayleigh gives me a curious look before Grace talks. “My brother, Clay Chapman? He’s being nice?”

I look back at her, nodding. “I think it started as a joke, but he’s actually been nice, wellnicer, lately.”

They’re both still staring at me like I’m crazy. “Again. My brother, Clay. Not Tanner, the nice one. Are we talking about the sameperson? Tall, tattoos everywhere, shit eating grin, stupid constant scowl?”

Kayleigh snorts a laugh and I shrug. “Yeah. That one. He even did what I asked and he’s been quieter in the mornings so I can sleep in.”

“Huh. That’s… interesting.” She shakes her head, looking at Kayleigh and then back at her plate. “He hates practically everyone except family, the Perrys, and Kayleigh here. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he likes you.”

She looks up at me with a smug smirk and glint in her eyes. I huff a laugh. I haven’t told anyone about that night at the bar and I would definitely prefer for that secret to stay between Clay and me.

I turn to find that Kayleigh is looking at me with an almost knowing smile. “As an expert on all things Clay, I have to agree with her here.”

I toss my head back with another short, dismissive laugh. “Don’t be crazy. I’m still pretty sure I annoy the hell out of him.”

Grace rolls her eyes at me. “Ok, Lizzy. Let me know when he starts being a grumpy ass again so I don’t have to worry that he’s been replaced by a robot or something.”

“You got it.” I smile back, but for the rest of brunch only one thing is on my mind. Does he actually like me? The grouchy guy that seemingly hates everyone might like me?

While that thought bounces around in the back of my mind, we finish lunch and hang outside by our cars, planning our next meetup.

“So I know brunch is a Saturday thing, but how about a girls’ ski day?” Kayleigh asks. “One of the next Sundays. Why don’t you ladies come out to the slopes? It’s an off week competition, so I’ll be training. Check out a session then we can ski a few runs together.”

Grace and I both nod. “Yeah, I’d love that.”

Utah is already starting to feel more and more like home.

CHAPTER 13

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