Page 51 of Love, Rekindled

Immediately, I realize my mistake. I went there.

My mind fills with visions of the mission where we were riding in the Humvee, laughing, talking about TJ’s fiancée and all the money that wedding was going to cost—and then suddenly, we weren’t.

“Hey, Ben, you with me?” she asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

I shake my head. “You don’t want to ask a million questions?”

“Well, I just asked one. If you could answer that, it would be great.”

“I mean about my injury.”

She shrugs. “Do you want to answer a million questions?”

“No.”

“That’s what I figured. If you want to tell me or talk, I’m here, but I know what it feels like to have people ask the same shit over and over again.”

I remember what Catherine said about her being stood up, and nod. I can imagine that she’s dealing with a lot, including people wanting to know information she probably doesn’t even have.

But still, I’m not used to the reaction she gives. Almost like it doesn’t matter.

“Still...” I say.

Her hand touches my arm. “I’m sorry you went through that. I really am. I know this is going to sound stupid or whatever, but I missed you, Ben. You were my best friend and I’m just really happy you’re alive and here. I’m glad that right now, we’re sitting in the same room and can talk. I really am.”

“You missed me huh?” I nudge her.

“Well, I missed the scrawny kid who used to take the candy out of my bookbag when he didn’t think I was looking. Who talked to me about how inaccurate movie scenes were based on random facts you knew. Not sure about The Hulk who is ridiculously hot, broody, with muscles...who is in front of me...and I’m going to shut up...” Gretchen seems to catch herself and her face turns bright red.

“Please. Do keep going...”

Gretchen was always gorgeous to me. I crushed on her all through school. She was the first girl I really had feelings for and when I left her, I hated my father. I had this adolescent dream that we would somehow be together. If she could just see...

Seems her eyesight is finally working.

“Anyway. The case. The missing kid, let’s talk about that, and not your jacked-up body, okay?”

I decide to let her off the hook—for now.

“Sure, why don’t we start at the beginning?”

She nods and sits beside me, taking a sheet of paper, and starts to read it. Instead of doing the same, I watch her. She’s different and yet still in some ways, she hasn’t changed at all. Her hair is much blonder, her eyes are still that aqua blue, though. I note the scar right under her eye from when she fell as we were playing tag. It’s faded, but still there.

I wondered about her through the years. I hoped that she was okay. I’ve never been much for technology, plus we’re not exactly encouraged to have a presence online, so I couldn’t look her up.

But she’s right here. Looking as beautiful as ever.

“How have you been? Truly, are you okay?” I ask, unable to stop myself, mostly because I just want more of an excuse to keep looking at her.

She shrugs. “I’m functioning.”

“That sounds really encouraging.” I laugh once.

“I’m sure you know that I’m here because I was left at the altar. I lost my job...well, I quit because I was sleeping with my boss who decided on my wedding day he didn’t want to marry me. I was set to make partner at said job, so there’s that. My life list has gone to total shit, and I was given a pity job from my best friend’s husband. I mean, I’m really winning at life.” Gretchen releases a heavy sigh and then covers her face. “Oh my God, I’m a mess.”

I pull her hands down, hating that she felt the need to hide. “You’re not a mess.”

Her eyes go wide. “Did you not hear my life just now?”

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