Page 25 of One Little Chance
“I never knew I was into them either. But my first year of teaching felt so stressful and exhausting, I needed an outlet. An escape. Another teacher raved about this Gillian Flynn book and lent it to me… I haven’t stopped since. They’re my treat.”
Jordan was beaming down at me as if every word I said was sunshine he wanted to soak in. “Tell me what else is new with you.”
“Um,” I hummed. “Well, I changed running shoe brands. I’m officially a Brooks girl.” I shrugged.
“You’re copying me now?” he said. We used to argue over which running shoe was superior. After I moved, when it came time to buy a new pair, I found myself buying his brand. A sillyway to stay closer to him. Every morning when I went for a run, I’d see my sneakers, and it was like he was still joining me in some tiny way.
“You were right about ‘em. I can’t go back.”
He bit his lip. “I’ve got one for you, Sophie.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’m a Swiftie.”
I peered at him critically. I adored Taylor Swift—always had. He used to tease me and turn down the volume when I played her. It was a point of playful contention during our entire relationship.
“I don’t believe you. You’re kidding.”
“‘Speak Now’ is probably my favorite. I mean, ‘Folklore’ is amazing, but ‘Speak Now,’ just hits here,” he patted his chest earnestly. “‘Mine?’ ‘Last Kiss?’ ‘Long Live?’”
“Since when?” I gasped.
He shrugged in reply, the corners of his mouth tugging into a grin. His eyes tripped down my outfit. “You’re in your Brooks now.”
“Well, I was going to go for a run, then this whole team of little soccer players started shouting my name.” I leaned against my doorway.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your run,” Jordan said.
“It’s no problem.” The nutty smell of coffee crept into the room. “I think our coffee is ready, anyway.”
He followed me back to the kitchen.
“You still take two spoons of sugar, no milk?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “Some things never change.” And this, for whatever reason, tugged on my heart so strong tears pricked my eyes.
So much time had passed since we’d been in each other’s lives. We’d forged new lives with new habits and new memories. Other relationships had been built and broken sinceus.Yet, some things hadn’t changed—like his inky, sweet coffee. Or howhis smile broke out over his face as if he never could contain it. Whatever string had tied me to him still hung between us. It tugged me to him, hung me on his every word, this string unbroken, after all this time.
He reached over me toward the cupboards and pulled down two mugs with my back against his chest for a moment. I poured his mug full and dropped two sugars in. Jordan’s scent still lingered near me even though he’d walked across the kitchen by now.
I turned to find him in my fridge with my carton of half and half. He raised a brow in question.
I nodded. “Like you said, some things never change.”
By the time our mugs were empty, Jordan and I were sitting on my front porch, the two of us side by side on the front steps. He kicked my Brooks with his own pair. “I have to admit I’m dying to see you put these bad boys to use.”
“You sure?” I had my arms around my knees, peeking a glance up at him. “You can’t cheat in a race. Can’t throw me over your shoulder to win.”
Jordan chuckled. “Sure, Sophie, that’s why I picked you up earlier. To win.”
My cheeks flushed.
“You want to meet up next Saturday after practice and go for a run? I’ll bring my running shoes.” A twinkle in his eye.
“Sure, we’ll see who’s faster now.” I bumped my shoulder against his.
He bumped me right back. And everything in me felt warm and right, even if just for a moment.
Chapter 13
MARCH 11TH, 2023
