Page 119 of Falling Like Leaves
“I hope so.”
Sloane hugs me. “Worst-case scenario, we eat chocolate Pop-Tarts and watchPractical Magicfor the fiftieth time tonight.”
I hug her back. “Thank you. For everything.”
She lets me go. “You’d do the same for me.”
My whole chest expands. It means so much that she knows that. I don’t know if it would have been true when I came here, but this place and these people have become important to me. I would do anything for them.
And I hope Cooper sees that today.
A few minutes later, he pulls in and parks in his assigned spot, immediately garnering attention. As people surround it, pointing and smiling at the quirky décor we worked so hard on, Cooper gets out with shower-dampened hair, gray sweatpants, and his blue Bramble Falls High hoodie.
God, he looks good.
“Okay, it’s time,” Sloane squeals. “You’ve got this.”
My palms are suddenly sweaty, and my heart races as I head toward him, forcing one foot in front of the other.
He climbs onto the float and searches the crowd, presumably for Sloane, who was supposed to bring his costume. When he spots me, he freezes. If I weren’t tottering over wearing his costume, I’m sure he’d jump out of the truck and make a break for it to avoid me. But instead he stares, his expression seeming torn between annoyed and amused.
When I finally reach him, he looks down at me and he sighs. “What are you doing, Ellis?”
“I was hoping you’d give me three minutes of your time. I justhave to say something, and then I promise I will truly leave you alone if that’s what you want.”
“There’s nothing left to say,” he says, looking everywhere but my eyes. “Why don’t you get that?”
“Please, Coop.” I’m not above getting on my knees and begging at this point, but I really hope it doesn’t come to that.
He hesitates, then says, “Fine. You havetwominutes.”
“Can you come down here?” I ask. He stares at me, jaw clenched, not budging.
Okay, then.
I take a deep breath, trying to fight the nerves curdling in the pit of my stomach. “You were right about me,” I begin. “About everything. I’ve spent my whole life not really knowing who I am. Instead I’ve been the person I thought Ishouldbe, working toward dreams that weren’t even mine to begin with. I’ve been awful to the people who’ve been there for me through all of it, and I’ve never allowed myself to get attached to anyone or anything that might hinder me from reaching my goals. Until I came here.
“You once said we have to chase after the things we want. It took me far too long to figure out that I wasn’t doing that. Because what Iwantis to go to school for fashion, not journalism. I want to be in Bramble Falls until college. And I wantyou, the most thoughtful, the most fiercely loyal person I’ve ever met. You dream big and face your fears and take risks even when you might fail—and even when you’re likely to end up heartbroken. You’re my biggest inspiration to be better and bolder, and I would chase you forever if it meant you forgiving me for leaving, for ruining what we had.
“I messed up, and I know I deserve to deal with the consequences. But I’m really hoping those consequences don’t involve losing you forever. If it’s too late, I’ll stop chasing you, if that’s really what you want. But I don’t think fourteen-year-old Cooper was wrong about us, and I hope you won’t give up on me just yet.”
He stands there, looking dumbstruck. When he opens his mouth, I suddenly remember what I’m holding.
“Wait, just… one more thing. Sorry. I promise I’m done after this. But I made you something.” I take a step forward and pass the bundle up to him.
He takes it and shakes out the bunched-up fabric to reveal his present. “A new apron.”
I nod. “A new apron with company branding.” He looks at me, then back at the Cooper’s Cookie Co. logo. “Obviously, I have no idea what you plan to call your bakery, but I thought—”
The sharp bark of a megaphone interrupts me. We both jump and turn toward the sound.
“All right, one minute until go time, everyone!” Aunt Naomi shouts.
“I said some really mean things to you,” Cooper says, ignoring Aunt Naomi’s warning.
“Nothing that was untrue.”
“That’s the thing….” He bites his lip. “I don’t think you’re selfish, or that you only think of yourself. You showed up for your aunt at a ton of festival events this fall. You let Jake copy off your tests for the last two months so he wouldn’t fail the class because he’s lazy, you helped me with my float, and nowthis,” he says, holding up the apron. “I was upset, and I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”
