Page 65 of Choosing a Forever
Lizzie's phone beeps, and she sighs. “I’ll have to interrogate you about your choice in underwear later, Tally. There’s an emergency at the shop, and I need to head in. I’ll text you later, Mack. Love you, byyyee.” She blows us a kiss and heads towards the door.
“Love you, too!” Mack shouts at her retreating form. When the front door closes, Mack still has a small smile on her face.
“I like her,” I state, resuming my chopping.
“Yeah? I would have thought she makes you uncomfortable. Lizzie sometimes doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.”
I shrug, removing the seeds from the last bell pepper. “I don’t mind. I’d rather someone speak their mind than keep things in, you know? Besides, she makes you happy. You seem lighter, more comfortable with her.”
Mack nods, examining her nails. “She’s one of the only people in my life I know I can count on. She’s been by my side through my lowest times. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
I feel like she’s not just talking about her parents’ deaths. Something in the back of my mind whispers whatever it is, it has to do with the rumors circulating about her in high school.
Did something else happen? Something so bad, it made her run from home and go to Oregon? I’m racking my brain trying to remembersomethingabout it, but I tried not to get involved in high school gossip. Especially about her. My heart couldn’t handle it.
“I’m really happy you’ve had someone to help you. I hope you know she’s not the only one you can count on now.”
Mack gives me a sad smile, like she may not fully believe me. “Yeah. Thank you.”
Chapter 24
Mackenzie
15 years old…
Today is the last time I’ll see Talmage until school starts again next year. I’ve been holding back frustrated, hurt tears because I don’t want our last day together to be filled with sadness.
He already feels bad enough for leaving, and I don’t want to make him feel worse.
We’re walking hand in hand towards the gas station about half a mile away from school. We’re trailing behind our group of friends, and Tessa keeps looking back at me with a pitying expression, making me feel even worse.
“We’re going to be okay, right?” Tal asks quietly.
“Yeah. You have Scout camp, and I’ll be busy with vocal performance camp and girls’ camp. It’ll fly by.” The words taste like acid, and I know they’re a lie. Tal must know, too, because he just hums in reply.
We get our Slurpees, then follow our friends to the park next to the gas station, talking about our summer plans. Tessa’s moving an hour north. The news made me even more nervous about next year because I won’t have myfriend to help navigate high school. Our friendship is fizzling out, and we’ve been drifting apart, though, so maybe it’s for the best.
The thought of high school is daunting and scary, especially since I’m not in the musical with my friends. I don’t like change. I don’t like not knowing how things are going to go.
When everyone separates and heads in the direction of their respective houses, Tal follows me to the train tracks. They’ve always felt like an invisible barrier between us, but today, they feel like a stone wall. Once I cross over, will our relationship still be there?
When he wraps me in his arms one last time, I can’t stop the tears from falling.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Firefly. But I’ll be back before you know it.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” I sob, swiping the tears before they can fall.
He bends down and kisses me gently. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
By the vibes at the table, you’d think we were holding Kinsley and Harper hostage and waterboarding them for information instead of having a delicious dinner so they can get to know my husband.
My husband, who is genuinely the sweetest man I’ve ever known. Who fixed up the rickety grill and made one of the best meals I’ve had in years.
The beginning of the dinner was silent. Forks scraping on plates, glasses being picked up and put down, and the occasional murmured praise for Tal’s cooking.
But I think Tal had enough of the silence, so he started asking the twins questions. Not just standard get-to-know-you questions, either. Insightful, personal questions that made them open up.
