Page 16 of Barefoot Dreams
Only today, when I saw him again…I almost forgot it all. I almost felt like that naïve thirteen-year-old little girl with a silly crush who got butterflies in her stomach when her crush looked at her.
Because he did.
Griffin was looking at melike that. I didn’t want to admit it—or hope—when Jacob said it. But Griffin did look at me. Like I wasn’t his best friend’s little weird sister, but someone he didn’t recognize.
Sure, I’ve changed a bit, grew up, but haven’t we all? So why did he look so lost? And yes, I’ll settle on lost because all those other thoughts of mine can’t be trusted when it comes to my hopeless heart.
I take the last sip of the brew, watching as the waves rage across the blue waters, chasing something until they inevitably crush against the shore—or sharp cliffs—the sounds soothing to my suddenly bothered soul.
Don’t go there, Julie.
Please, don’t let your thoughts carry you into the sharp cliff.
Loving Griffin Owling is a tragedy I mourned for long enough. I don’t need it to turn into a sequel.
The soft chime of my phone pulls my thoughts away from wandering into wild forests. I reach it and swipe to answer. “Hey.”
“Hey, just calling to see how’re you doing today. Was the morning rush as crazy as usual?”
“Yeah, it was quite…busy.” I bite on my lower lip. I have a feeling I know why he’s calling—and it has something to do with all those eyewitnesses posting hot newson Love Hive.
“Are we still on for tonight or…” He trails off, trying to sound nonchalant, but I can hear the slight worry in his tone.
“We’re still on, Owen,” I answer and smile when I hear the barely audible sigh of relief.
“Okay. Good. I just wanted to make sure. You know…in case something changed.”
“Nope. I’ll be ready at five like we agreed.”
“See you in six hours, twenty-three minutes anddd five seconds.”
“See you, Owen.” I smile, hanging up.
Yep…that’s wheremyroad has led me.
Into the arms of my childhood bully.
Love Hive:
Ninasunshine:Did you all see that today?
CookieJ:See what?
Ninasunshine:Wasn’t it magical?
CookieJ:Well, I wouldn’t know, now would I? Since you always see all the interesting stuff without me. I’ve been saying this for years…some friend you are.
Fforall:Hold your rainbow panties, Jenny. I’m just as lost as you are and if one Miss Nosy-without-calling-her-friends-over won’t fess up right this second, we will disown her.
Ninasunshine:You wouldn’t dare!
Fforall:Speak, woman!
Ninasunshine:Griffin Owling is back in town.
Cookiej:Um…honey, did you and Sam go to that hot yoga class again? You know it makes your head feel all funny afterward. We know Griffin is back, Izzy told us like three days ago, remember?
Willoflove:Not to worry, Nina, I’ll make you my special brew, it’ll bring you right back to life.
