Page 37 of When We Were Us
“Hi, Mrs. Hayes. Nice to see you as well.” Plastering a small smile on her face, she lets my mom fawn over her.
I pretend I’m not listening as I stand there. I even pull out and flip open my phone, pretending to get a text. But my attention is fully on Wren and her body language, casting quick glances her way. She’s talking about the house, repairs she has to make, and getting it ready for a realtor.
But something is…off. She looks incredibly weary and doesn’t move to immediately get away from me or my badgering mother, though maybe she’s just being polite. Maybe she doesn’t even realize I’m still standing here. I can’t get my feet to move.
I don’t have time to think about it too much though, because my phone actually does start ringing. It’s a customer I’ve been waiting for a return call from.
I hear Wren politely ask what all the paperwork splayed out on the table is as I press answer and step away to take the call.
My sisters and Mom have swept Wren up into a conversation about the Huckleberry Festival, so I turn and head back toward the bathrooms. Throwing a glance over my shoulder, I will her to look at me. She doesn’t.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
wrenley
I’melbow-deep in a bucket of hot, soapy water in the mudroom on Sunday, where I’ve been scrubbing baseboards for twenty minutes, when a text comes through. Glancing across the room to where my phone sits on top of the dryer, I push up from the floor.I swear my back creaks after sitting in one position for so long. Careful not to slip on the floor that’s not quite dry in spots, I tiptoe over and check my phone.
Finn
What are you doing tonight?
Wren
Not much, you?
Finn
Wanna go to Huddy’s game with me?
Finn had previously mentioned Hudson played in a softball tournament every year when he came back to visit, and she suggested that we should catch one of the games if I had time. I’ve never been much for sports, but I’ve been going nonstop around here since I arrived in town. It could be fun to have a night off from sitting alone and watching old reruns on TV.
Wren
Will Hank be there?
I’m only asking because I want to apologize for this morning. He’d been concerned, and I couldn’t even form a sentence.
While standing in line and waiting to order my caramel latte this morning, a voicemail had come through from one of my long-term clients. I’d made sure before I left that they all knew I’d had a death in the family, and that I would be in touch soon. However, on the voicemail, Jason Dobbs said he was sad to hear about my recent split from Valley View Veterinary. He wished me luck in my future endeavors, but he would be staying with the clinic, i.e., Derek.
What really upset me was not that there hadn’t yet been a discussion of client retention once the business was dissolved, but the fact that Jason and his ranch had been clients of mine for three years longer than he even knew Derek. I was furious with my ex, but I was just plain disappointed to lose a client I had come to consider a friend. And without so much as a conversation with me.
It was becoming clear to me that Derek wasn’t going to play fair. As soon as I’d hung up from that voicemail, another came through from Derek. I wasn’t going to listen to it, but curiosity got the best of me, and you know what they say about that.
The second I heard his voice, I felt nauseous and ended the recorded call before I could hear all of what he had to say. I ordered my coffee and then shot off an angry text to Ginger to vent. I was in the middle of reading her return text when I bumped into Hank.
When our eyes met, his were filled with concern instead of his usual contempt or, more recently, cocky teasing. I hadn’t been prepared for that, and I wanted nothing more than to press into him and feel his arms wrapped around me. The thought had thrown me, and when he’d asked if I was ok, I just stared mutely up at him, fighting tears.
I’d barely kept the tremble out of my voice when Mrs. Hayes had stepped up to greet me. I wanted to thank him for his concern, especially after everything we’d said to one another over the last week or so. However, when I’d finished talking with his mom and sisters, he was gone.
I’m sure I could get his number easily enough to send him an apology over text, but that felt weird after all these years. That, and a small part of me just really wanted to see him again.
Finn
I think he’s filling in for Tommy Mitchell. So, yeah.
I thought you said things were better between you guys?
Wren
