Page 62 of Rejected Heart

Unfortunately, no matter how dedicated I was to the effort of helping my mom on her road to recovery, she had other plans.

She’d called up Carmen, asked her to come over for a visit, and the two of them were kicking me out of the house.

“Where am I going to go?” I asked.

“Landing might be a small town, but there’s plenty to do,” Carmen declared proudly.

My mom didn’t hesitate to offer her input. “You can go shop, take an evening stroll, and enjoy the gorgeous summer evening.”

My eyes darted between the pair. They couldn’t have looked happier if they tried. “This is insane. I’m being forced out.”

“Be grateful we’re only making you stay out for at least three hours,” Mom declared. “If it was up to me, you’d find something to keep you occupied for longer than that.”

“That’s unlikely to happen.”

“Well, if that changes, don’t rush back.” Carmen was beaming at me. “I don’t have anywhere to be tonight. Heck, I could spend the night here if I need to.”

That was just plain ridiculous. I rolled my eyes and pushed off the wall I’d been leaning against. “Alright. Well, is there anything you need me to pick up while I’m out?” I asked.

My mom shook her head. “Nope. But even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. Tonight, you’re going out to do something for yourself.”

That was the problem. I had not a clue how I was going to keep myself busy and distracted for so long. There was nothing left in Landing for me. With no other option and being acutely aware of the fact that I wasn’t going to get anywhere by arguing with my mom and her best friend, I said, “I’ll be back in three hours.”

“It’s okay if you need more time than that.”

I wouldn’t. But I didn’t tell them that. Instead, I left the house, got in my car, and sat there, wondering what the heck I was going to do now.

It wasn’t as though I could call up some friends from high school. None existed. The only people I’d spent my free time with all those years ago were the Westwoods and those close to them.

Liam was the one who’d monopolized most of my time. And even though the conversation I’d had with my mom about him days ago had left me feeling even more longing for him, I didn’t think I could bring myself to go after him.

I didn’t even know where he lived now. Was he still staying at his parents’ place? Maybe he had moved out on his own. What if he lived with a girlfriend?

My belly clenched painfully at the thought. As much as I didn’t want that to be the case, I had to recognize it was a very real possibility. I’d discarded Liam like he was nothing. It was only natural that someone else would come along and see him for the wonderful man that he was.

I dropped my head back against the headrest, considering the possibility of just sitting in my car for the next three hours. But when my eyes drifted toward the window at the front of the house, I saw Carmen looking out. No doubt she and my mom had already guessed I’d attempt a stunt like this.

Mustering the best annoyed expression I could, I shotit in Carmen’s direction. She merely grinned at me and waved in return. With no other choice, I put the car in drive and took off.

Great.

Just great.

I’d drive around Landing aimlessly for three hours. What a waste.

Sure, my mom had suggested I go shopping. It was certainly a reasonable option that would help me kill some time, but I wasn’t up for it. I was both mentally and physically drained from everything that had happened since I’d arrived in Landing.

There was one place I could go. One place I’d been invited to.

Jules had told me to stop by to see her bakery. And given how sweet she’d been to me when I didn’t necessarily deserve it after disappearing eight years ago, maybe I needed to take her up on that invite.

Like I’d never stopped doing it, I didn’t even think twice about where to go as I drove toward Westwood’s.

By the time I’d arrived on the campus, I couldn’t say I wasn’t the least bit shocked. Things had changed. I realized I’d been gone for a while, but how was it possible that there was something both so familiar and so different about the place?

It was bigger, grander.

Regardless of the size, there was something intimate about it. Maybe it was the rush of memories that had flooded my brain. The fun I’d had in the amusement parkwith Liam and the dancing I’d done with his sisters and Ava whenever there’d been a party in the hotel.

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