Page 13 of Everything Has Changed
“Wait, Gwen,” Logan says, stopping my movements any further. “What time did you want to meet up later?”
I can feel the fiery look Camila is shooting in my direction, but I steel my spine and only look at the hopeful face of Logan before lying through my teeth to save myself.
Laying it on thick, I place my hand on my forehead and pretend to think. “Actually, I just remembered I have something I have to do today, so that won’t work.”
His brows furrow. “Okay… What about tonight? I can bring some dinner over and we can brainstorm.”
“Lo,” Camila interjects. Her talons—I mean fingers—grasping his arm until he pulls it away. “We have dinner with your parents tonight.”
He side-eyes her. “What are you talking about? What dinner?”
“Your mom and I were talking on the phone last night and thought it would be a great idea. I was going to call you today, but as luck would have it, I just ran into you here.” She beams up at him as if it were a mere coincidence. I’m sure someone saw him in town and reported his whereabouts. Or worse, she probably has a tracker on his person somewhere.
Logan sighs, opening his mouth to say something, but I interrupt, waving my hand in his direction.
“It’s fine. I have a bunch of ideas already. How about I just email them to you?” I flash a smile that feels pained, and I hope like hell it doesn’t look that way.
Logan doesn’t seem like he wants to take that for an answer as his eyes squint toward me and he purses his lips. Camila pulls on his arm again, which thankfully pulls his attention from me. I release the breath I was holding when I feel their eyes leave me.
“Have a great day!” I repeat with some forced pep. Turning on my heel, I walk to the kitchen door, removing the door jamb quickly as I pass, causing the swinging door to close behind me.
I hear them speaking to each other, but it’s muffled enough that I can’t make out what it is. Probably for the best. I’ve heard enough this morning to dig up plenty of high school trauma to keep me awake tonight. I risk a glance out the small window on the door when I hear the doorbell chime just in time to catch Camila chasing after Logan on the sidewalk.
Releasing a sigh, I lean my forehead against the door to cool my overheated face.
“Are you okay?”
I jump out of my skin as I turn to face the intruder behind me. My hands land on my heaving chest, which is trying to suck in all the air possible at once, it seems.
“Holy shit, Ophelia. You scared me.”
She chuckles. “I can see that.” Holding out the phone I now see was attached to her ear, she continues speaking into it. “Nothing, Kenny. Just your sister looking like she’s seen a ghost. But it was just her dear old grandmother.”
I roll my eyes, raising my voice for my sister to hear me. “Love ya, Kennedy.”
“She said she loves you, too,” my grandmother grins before making her way into the back office. Her stylish clogs set a comfortable rhythm down the hallway, and I allow the sound to help regulate my heartbeat again.
Luckily, I’m saved momentarily from my spiral as a few customers walk in and I make my way back to the front, pasting on an easy smile for the patrons. Ophelia joins me with her signature apron embroideredwith flowers. My own is covered in moons and stars; a gift from my sister a couple of years ago.
After the morning rush settles down, I take a lap around the dining room to refill any drip coffees while catching up with the locals and answering questions for the tourists wanting the “in” on the best spots to explore. When I return to the counter, Ophelia stops me with a hug. Her arms enveloping me in a tight squeeze and I feel my muscles start to relax into her embrace.
“Want to tell me what had you so frazzled earlier?” She brushes my ponytail back from where it landed on my shoulder.
“Not really,” I pull back. My attempt to walk away is thwarted when she holds me in place in front of her, leaning down to catch my eyes. It takes just a quirk of her brow for me to spill, if only a little bit. “Just had a run-in with Logan and Camila.” I shrug as if it’s not a big deal, but Ophelia knows better.
“I heard that boy was back. How does that make you feel?”
I pick at my nails, suddenly fascinated with the color I recently painted them with, and trying hard not to focus on the swarm of butterflies assaulting my stomach right now. Just the thought of his tousled brown locks and his shining hazel eyes paired with his panty-melting smirk had me ready to break out into a sweat.
“Why would I have any notable feelings about him?”
“You can’t fool me, honey. I remember you and your swoony eyes when he lived next door.”
I sigh, unable to argue when I know she’s right. “I didn’t tell you the whole story yesterday.”
Her face scrunches. “What do you mean? About the festival? Are you not leading the planning this year anymore?”
I shake my head. “It’s not that.” I nibble on my lower lip to find the words. “It’s not just a ‘me’ thing. We kind of got paired up for the festival. His mom volun-told him, forcing him to co-plan with me.”
