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Emi Hilton is a California native who was born at March Air Force Base, to an Officer in the US Army Combat Engineer Battalion father and an English Professor mother. Emi followed in her mother’s footsteps and graduated from Brigham Young University in English. While in college, she took a year and a half break from her studies to serve as a full-time missionary for her church in the Canary Islands. Emi writes sweet contemporary romance novels. Her debut novel, Memories in Morro Bay, was nominated for a Whitney Award. When Emi isn’t writing, she enjoys training for marathons, fishing off local piers with her husband and three sons, or visiting her other love, Spain.
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A weekend at a high school reunion
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Enjoy an excerpt of Leaving Cloverton by Emi Hilton
“The GPS says we’re almost there. Is this home for you?” the Uber driver asked, making eye contact with Rachel through the rearview mirror. “I don’t get many requests from the airport to Cloverton.”
Rachel could only imagine. Her speck of a town, in the middle of flyover country, had little to offer, along with an even smaller population. Most used the two lane highway as a convenient thoroughfare as they drove onto more exciting cities like St. Louis or Des Moines. Cloverton, yeah, it wasn’t any sort of destination at all, not for anyone but those returning home to visit family.
Soon, peeking out on the horizon, the outline of homes and farms came into view. All recognizable because nothing had changed. It was like someone had snapped a photo fifty years ago and placed it at the back of a scrapbook. Cloverton had carbon-copy brick buildings which hugged each other, lining both sides of Main Street. A one-room, white-painted library gave a touch of variety to the landscape. Rachel remembered the two oversized chairs facing the front window, where she had devoured stacks of books before filling up her wagon with new ones to take home.
The mom-and-pop grocery store, which only had handheld baskets and no pushcarts, was where she worked as a bagger at sixteen. Next to the K-12 school was the coveted sports stadium, where the high school played their home games, and where she had her first kiss under the bleachers. All the memories came back with a vengeance, some good and some bad. It had been so long since she had returned, and it would probably be years before she ever came back again.
But was this home?
The streets were familiar, but the buildings looked dingier than she remembered. Was Main Street only two blocks? That couldn’t possibly be right, but apparently, it was. Then Rachel recalled all over again why she had left in the first place.
Pushing up her chin, Rachel shook her head. “Not anymore.” She peered out the passenger side window, wringing her jittery hands together. The boring structures passed right on by. “It hasn’t been for years.”
The Uber driver gave a curt nod, ending their very brief exchange of words.
Then, at the top of the hill, the hotel came into view. It had a banquet room, the only big gathering place in town, where every major dance, graduation, and event of her life had been held. Here was also the location of this weekend’s ten-year high school reunion.
Her heart thundered to a steady staccato beat. Fumbling around, she dug into her purse, retrieving her trusty compact. Flipping it open, she scanned her makeup, scrutinizing every inch of her face. Rachel had one shot to change the narrative in her less-than-adequate love life. This weekend was going to be the beginning of her love story. Wishful thinking? Probably. But then again, she had always been a bit of an optimist.
Back in high school, Rachel had blown it. Chickened out, essentially, but . . . that was Ten-Years-Ago Rachel. Today’s Rachel would be charming and self-assured. If ever there was time to flip the script, that was this weekend. For ten years she had lived with regrets, not anymore. The RSVP list had one name on it she cared about: Brandon Belford. Just thinking about him now made her palms sweaty and cheeks flushed. Through the grapevine, she learned he was newly divorced and . . . available.
Coming to a halt in front of the hotel, the Uber driver peered over his shoulder at her in the back seat. “This is you.” He opened his door, climbing out.
“Great.” Rachel applied one last dab of lip gloss, smacking her lips together. She tossed it back into her purse. “Thanks.”
Exiting the vehicle, the summer air, all muggy and sticky like cotton candy, engulfed her entire being. An instant trickle of sweat dripped down her back. Yeah, this was Cloverton.
“Oh, great,” Rachel mumbled as she grabbed her roller suitcase from the Uber driver, who had set it on the curb. “My hair is going to be flat.”
He hesitated, eyeing her.
She waved off her comment meant only for herself. He left without another word. Her summer dress stuck to her skin, making her feel awkward. Rachel tried her best to air it out by pulling the front of her dress away from her skin. Then she moved it back and forth to create more air flow.
Muttering under her breath, “Ahh—it’s useless.” She threw her hands up.
Up before the crack of dawn, Rachel had spent the better part of the morning carefully curling her hair into soft beachy waves. Then at the airport, she had double checked to ensure it had maintained its style. Now she had flat, sweaty hair. This is great. Just great. Brandon will take one look at me and move right along to someone else.
Brandon wasn’t just any guy, he was the guy. Always the lead. Never the supporting actor. And one didn’t win over a guy like him if they were playing in the minor leagues.
Her phone rang, interrupting her spiraling thoughts. Rachel fished her cell phone out of her purse and tapped to accept the call. Placing it up to her ear, she said, “Haley. Are you already here?” She scanned the front of the lobby.
Her purse slipped down from her shoulder, and Rachel hiked it back up. All around her, people were entering and exiting the hotel. The hotel probably had more visitors today than it had all the other days of the year combined. She smiled at a few recognizable faces who brushed past her.
“No,” Haley sighed. “My flight was delayed. I snagged another flight, and I’m about to board. I’ll be there soon. The flight is only two hours.”
Rachel glanced at her watch. “Bummer. I guess I’ll get checked in, but I’ll wait until you get here to eat dinner. Does that sound okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be hungry and ready to eat by the time I arrive.” Haley paused, then lowered her voice. “Have you seen Brandon yet?”
“No. Not yet.” Rachel scrutinized the people entering and exiting the hotel, hoping for a glimpse of Brandon. Fiddling with her hair, she then covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her voice. “But . . . he did RSVP. He’s coming.”
Depending on a ten-year high school reunion to rewrite the past wasn’t exactly . . . original. If anything, Rachel knew she was teetering ever so close to pathetic. But it wasn’t like this plan had come completely out of left field. Back during her senior year, Rachel had shared a moment with Brandon. It was a missed opportunity, causing her years of regret. Enough already.
“He wouldn’t miss it. I know Brandon.” Haley’s tone turned slightly mocking. “He’s probably been counting down the days until the reunion, so he can once again bask in the glory and adoration of every single woman in our graduating class.”
“Hey,” Rachel scoffed, examining the front of her dress again. She picked off some stray lint with her free hand. “I’m one of those women.”
“I know. I know. I just don’t want you to be disappointed if the weekend doesn’t go the way you planned.” Haley cleared her throat, then paused. Finally she added, “Besides, this is the first time I’m leaving my baby. I’m thrilled I get to be around some other adults for a change, especially you. Try not to spend the entire weekend upset if Brandon is flirting with everyone else, too.”
Rachel knew the transition to motherhood had been extra challenging for Haley when she had Elsa. She had expressed feeling isolated and lost in her new role. Being a single person, Rachel had no idea how to relate to Haley’s struggles, but she could guarantee Haley had an enjoyable weekend, kid free.
“True. I need to focus on the positive.” Rachel let out a breath, loosening the tightness in her chest. “I get to spend the weekend with you, my best friend. And it’s been way too long.”
“Exactly,” Haley agreed.
“But Haley . . .” Rachel gnawed on her fingernail, nearly ruining her new manicure. “Am I totally off base with this whole ‘trying to win him over’ plan?”
“No,” Haley firmly replied, “and I’d tell you the truth. Now stop spiraling.” Haley spoke over a loudspeaker announcement in the background. “That’s me. I need to board. Keep it together until I get there. Okay?”
Rachel agreed and ended the call.
Tossing her phone back into her purse, Rachel paused, gnawing on a fingernail. Her mom had always taught her to not slouch, but instead to be proud of her tall, long, and lean frame. Somehow it became her mantra, carrying her through her middle school years, when she towered over the boys in her class.
Rachel squared her shoulders, and then, as if on cue, the sliding glass doors to the hotel lobby opened, blasting out refreshing air-conditioned air. The cool air shot a tingle down her spine. When she didn’t immediately enter, they slammed shut again. Come on, you’ve got this. Adjusting her purse and luggage, she walked forward. The doors reopened, and she crossed the threshold into the lobby.
A huge banner hung across the middle of the lobby ceiling, greeting her graduating class. Encouraged by the welcoming sign, she smiled. Nostalgia washed over her. A flood of happy memories came back, specifically her high school graduation, held in the banquet room because the high school gym floor had been resurfaced. It was forever ago and yesterday at the same time.
A packed lobby bustled with people as the excitement of happy reunions occurred all around her. Brandon was somewhere in this mass of people. She knew it. Her imagination ran wild with the possible romantic rendezvous. Maybe he would take one look at her and with a dropped jaw say breathlessly, Where have you been my whole life? Then she would toss her hair over her shoulder and laugh flirtatiously while she basked in his adoring gaze. Well, certainly, one could dream.
Lost in her little dream world, she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings. A man cut across the path in front of her. She tripped on the wheel of her roller suitcase. Her arms flew forward, and she looked for anything to help her regain her balance.
“Whoa . . .” The man crossing in front of her grabbed onto her, attempting to hold her steady. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes dilated as she scanned his face. “Oh . . . sorry.”
Rachel rammed into her roller suitcase, stumbling backwards. Floundering, she gripped tightly to the good-looking man with jet-black hair and green eyes. His blue and green button-down seersucker shirt made his eyes pop. Whoa. Where had this guy been back in high school? Her stomach fluttered like a forlorn teenager.
“Ahh—” Rachel attempted to find her footing.
Once both of her feet were on solid ground, she straightened her dress and patted down her hair.
He released his grip, taking a small step back so they were no longer rammed up against one another.
“Thank you.” Rachel stammered. “I didn’t see you.”
He chuckled. “I believe you.”
After a long pause, Rachel cleared her throat. “Are you here for the reunion?”
Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.
He ran a hand through his thick locks, then rubbed his jaw before shoving his hand into his pocket. “Yep. I’m here for the reunion, Rachel.” He shifted his weight and gave her a once over. “It’s good to see you.”
It was a miracle. He remembered her. What was his name? Her mind went blank. Come on, remember him. He remembers you.
“Yes . . . I’m Rachel.” Fidgeting with the handle of her suitcase, Rachel asked, “Did you go to Cloverton?”
“I sure did.”
He smiled. A warm, I’ll-take-care-of-you-forever smile, settling the weird swimming sensation in her stomach.
“I’m James.” James pulled his hand out of his pocket, placing it over his heart. “James Ripley.”
Squinting, she slowly repeated, “James Ripley . . .” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “Sorry. It’s not ringing a bell.”
Rachel suddenly wished she remembered him.
James waved it off. “No worries. It makes sense.” He scratched his head, pausing. A loud ruckus interrupted them, and he glanced over his shoulder toward the classmates congregated at the hotel bar. The group quieted down. Shuffling his feet, James finally said, “I wasn’t exactly Mr. Popular in high school, but you were in my English class our senior year. I sat right behind you.”
“You did?” questioned Rachel.
Why couldn’t she remember him? James wasn’t easy to forget, at least not now. It must be that time had been good to him. Rachel dreamed he thought the same about her. Because oh boy, James with his broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline, and dazzling green eyes made her body buzz from merely standing in his presence. Yes, please.
James laughed, making her insides turn on themselves.
“Yep.” His eyes twinkled with mischievousness. Moving his hands out of his pocket a tad, he looped his thumbs through his belt loops. “I can clearly see I made zero impression on you.”
A man walked by and clapped James on the back. He turned, greeting him with a broad smile. As they exchanged a few pleasantries, Rachel tried not to stare as his movements made his hair fall ever so perfectly across his forehead. James introduced the man to Rachel, but she was distracted the entire time, checking James out. James had a rugged, outdoorsy appeal, like he belonged in the back country, chopping wood—shirtless. More heat wiggled its way down her spine. Easy tiger. Once the man left, Rachel immediately forgot his name, and James brought his attention back to her.
There was a long, uncomfortable pause. Her skin crawled. Where was her A-game?
James tilted his head. “Sorry, what were we talking about?”
“How I was an idiot not to notice you back in high school,” Rachel muttered under her breath.
Smirking, James cocked an eyebrow.
Whoa, wait. You’re here for Brandon.
Rachel shook her head, clearing her throat. “Nothing important.” She pulled back her shoulders, rediscovering her confidence. “Only about how you remember me, and I simply have a hazy memory of you.”
His cheeks tinged pink, making him even more attractive.
“I’m not surprised.” James shifted a step closer. “I tried to blend in, to survive the whole arduous four years.”
You aren’t blending in now.
Her gaze flickered quickly over his perfectly proportioned frame. No way this guy ever blended in.
Finding common ground, Rachel replied. “You and me both.”
Trust me.
“Liar,” James countered. His nostrils flared. “I have it on good authority that you broke many hearts back in high school.”
Her face flushed with heat, spreading down her neck. What hearts? She’d love to know. She spent all of high school chasing down one guy, and one guy only, Brandon Belford. Just the name crossing her psyche made her pulse uptick and sweat slather her brow. And boom—just like that, she was back on the Brandon train. No time to waste on anyone else, right? Not even James. Though she fully admitted, he was a total hottie.
James shuffled his feet, snapping her back to their conversation. “I’m glad I ran into you, Rachel. You look good. Real good.”
“Yes—the years have treated you well, too.” Her hand flew to her mouth, covering it. Rachel’s eyes widened. Then she forced her lips into a tight smile. “Will I see you tomorrow at the reunion?”
James straightened his stance. “Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Until tomorrow.” Rachel continued past him, brushing his arm on her way to the hotel check-in line.
She shook off the encounter and tried to focus on her original plan: Find Brandon and get him to fall in love with her.
A long line traveled from the front desk to halfway through the lobby. A few familiar people passed by while she waited. Rachel greeted them, chatting, while the line slowly crept forward. During high school, she preferred to stick with her bestie Haley, but Rachel had participated in many extracurricular activities, so she knew most people from her graduating class.
Still, if you had asked her last year if she would attend her ten-year high school reunion, she would’ve laughed. Then, when Brandon updated his relationship status from married to divorced on social media, Rachel nearly flipped. She didn’t need a bigger sign. Her second chance was this weekend. With Brandon.
In high school, Brandon had been everything. He knew it, too, and he had used it to his advantage, dating everyone in their graduating class. Well, practically everyone, everyone but Rachel. He had spent most of high school ignoring her, except for one night. The encounter still made her stomach all topsy-turvy whenever she thought about it, even though it was years ago.
During a basketball game her senior year, she had nearly peed her pants when he slid into the seat next to her. His friend group happened to be sitting behind her, but the bench was full when Brandon arrived, so he plopped right down in the empty space next to her. The game went into overtime, and his friends left to go to a party while Brandon decided to hang back.
After a few nail-biting plays by their team, the two exchanged high fives when the team scored a three-pointer, giving them the lead. She nearly died, like the very breath in her lungs failed to fill back up. Then Brandon casually asked Rachel about their upcoming physics test. They fell into a conversation, anxious for her and seemingly thoughtless for him. Brandon ended up talking to her for the rest of the game. When the buzzer sounded and the team ran off the court, Rachel expected Brandon to quickly make his exit. Instead, he had lingered, walking her out to the parking lot.
When she stopped in front of her car, fiddling with her keys, Rachel bravely met his eyes. Seconds ticked by like an eternity, and Rachel panicked. She knew Brandon was going to kiss her, but she’d had little experience. Only one kiss under the bleachers, when she was sixteen. Sure, Brandon kissed people all the time, for fun, for kicks. What if she messed up? How could she know she was doing it right? Maybe he would be repulsed by her lack of kissing ability. Rachel moved closer to the car, leaning her back against it. Brandon shifted his weight toward her, moving only inches away. Then he reached out, brushing her hair out of her eyes like a total boss.
But instead of leaning in and encouraging him to continue, Rachel had nervously laughed, averting her glance. A group of loud students meandered toward them, breaking the spell. Brandon jumped back, removing his hand. He mumbled goodbye, nearly running to his car. Swoosh—the moment disappeared as quickly as it had come. High school ended a few weeks later, and their paths didn’t cross again before graduation. She missed her chance.
It had eaten her up every day since then. What if she hadn’t chickened out? What if she had simply leaned in and kissed him? Maybe they would have ended up together. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. The not knowing was the worst part. This weekend, she wanted an answer. She hoped to rewrite the past.
Eventually, she made it to the front reception counter and checked in, receiving her room key.
With key and roller suitcase in hand, she headed toward the elevator. It dinged. The doors of the elevator swung open, revealing Brandon. Her insides did a somersault while her heart skidded to a halt. Breathe, breathe, breathe. The world began to move in slow motion, like when the music starts to play in a rom-com movie during the meet-cute. But this wasn’t a movie. Brandon, in the flesh, stepped off the elevator with a cell phone glued to his ear.
Rachel paused, blinking. She found her voice. “Hey . . . Brandon.” The words were shaky and a tad too loud.
Brandon’s gaze found hers. Tilting his head to the side, a look of confusion crossed his face. He furrowed his brows, making the lines on his forehead deepen. He paused, covering the mouthpiece of his phone with his hand. “Do I know you?” Brandon questioned.
Poof. Her shoulders slouched. This couldn’t be happening. The man didn’t even remember her. They had almost kissed!
“It’s Rachel.” She tucked her hair behind her ears, forcing herself to stand up straight. Plastering a smile on her face, she pointed at her chest. “Rachel Millson.”
His eyes formed tight slits. Brandon gave her a quick once over. A few beats of time passed, which stretched out like infinity. Shaking his head, he finally replied, “Sorry. I don’t know you.” Brandon took his hand off the mouthpiece, putting it back up to his ear. He briskly brushed past her and spoke into the phone. “Okay, sounds like a plan. Wilson’s at seven for drinks. I’ll be there.” His voice eventually became indistinguishable as he strode across the lobby, all the way outside.
Her face sagged. Brandon didn’t even remember her. At all?! Nada. Zero. Zilch. Worse, he gave her the complete brush off. This entire weekend was a mistake. A big one. Colossal. If there had been a cave to crawl into, she would have welcomed the reprieve from this total humiliation.
Knees wobbly, she filed into the elevator with the other guests who had been waiting.
In a depressed daze, miraculously, she made it to her room, where she promptly dumped her stuff by the door and catapulted herself face forward onto the bed. With a face full of pillow, she screamed and pounded the fluffy pillow-top mattress. Tantrum over, she flipped to her back, staring up at the ceiling tiles. Forcing herself to calm down, she breathed in and out, repeatedly, until she managed to drift off to sleep.
A banging at the door awoke her a few hours later. She rose, stumbling across the hotel room toward the door. Groggy, she swiped at her eyes as the knocking continued.
“I’m coming,” Rachel shouted as she tripped over her suitcase on the way, almost hitting her chin on the wall. “Hold your horses.” She swung open the door, revealing Haley. Rachel squealed, clapping her hands together. “Haley! You made it!”
They hugged.
“I did.” Haley broke their embrace. “I’m glad I didn’t end up spending the entire weekend in the airport.” She filed into the hotel room behind Rachel. “Also, I’m glad we decided to stay in the hotel instead of at our parents’ houses. My parents turned the spare room into a TV room.”
“I’m glad we’re staying here, too,” Rachel agreed. “It gives us a better chance of being with everyone. My parents’ house is in the middle of a remodel, so they are out of town until Sunday to escape the mess. But I’m going to meet up with my parents and brother after the reunion for dinner, before I head back to New York.”
“I’m doing the same.” Haley waved a hand. “Did I miss anything?” Raising an eyebrow, she eyed Rachel.
Rachel adjusted her twisted dress, averting her glance. “I think this weekend might’ve been a mistake,” she muttered, following the statement with a loud exhale.
Haley scanned the room, waving off the idea. “Nonsense. I’m out of Boston. And this is the first time in months I’m a free woman without Elsa in tow.” She placed her suitcase on the sofa, then plopped herself down on one of the queen beds, wagging a finger in her direction. “You aren’t ruining my newfound freedom.”
Rachel sat down on the edge of the bed opposite her. “I won’t. We’ll have fun together, no matter what the weekend holds. It just . . . I already saw Brandon.”
“You what?” Haley nearly fell off the bed when her body lunged forward from the news. “Why didn’t you text me and tell me?”
“I fell asleep.” Rachel shook her head, burying her face in her hands. Her hair cascaded down, covering it. She groaned. “He didn’t even remember me.” Then she peeked over between her fingers.
Haley waved her hands. “Wait. Wait. Please go back—to the beginning.” She spoke slowly, enunciating each word. “I need to hear about the whole interaction from start to finish.”
Climbing fully on top of the bed, Rachel settled next to Haley before she said, “I saw him getting off the elevator. I mean, he was walking right toward me. I thought this is it, manna from heaven.” She gave Haley a crooked smile. “He was on the phone, but I decided to be brave. I wasn’t going to be timid and shy like how I was in high school. I mustered up the courage to say hello. He paused, looked me square in the eyes and said, I quote, ‘I don’t know you,’ then went back to talking on the phone.”
Haley sucked in air. “Geez. Harsh. I’m sorry, that totally bites.”
Rachel gnawed on the inside of her cheek. “It’s the worst.”
“He doesn’t remember you.” Haley squeezed Rachel on the arm. Her voice took on a tad-too-chipper tone. “It doesn’t mean this whole thing’s a wash. You do have the entire weekend to make something happen. Besides, you’re completely different from how you were in high school. Maybe if he is given the chance, Brandon might end up liking what he sees.”
She mulled over Haley’s comment. Rachel wasn’t a person who quit things at the first sign of trouble. If anything, she often became energized from challenging situations. This was a big reason why she excelled as a labor and delivery nurse. She had an ability to quickly regroup. “I did overhear him tell the person on the phone he was going to Wilson’s tonight at seven.”
Haley slapped her on the knee. “See, you still have a chance.” She grinned. Her arms made a wide-open gesture. “I guess this means we’re going to Wilson’s tonight at seven.”
Rachel fiddled with her hands in her lap. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Haley leaned forward. “Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.” She popped up one shoulder. “But what do you have to lose?”
“Nothing,” Rachel muttered.
Except her pride, along with her hopes and dreams.
“That’s right. Nothing.” Haley glanced at her wristwatch. “We have a whole half hour to get you looking smoking hot. Hopefully, you have some new outfits for me to approve.”
“I did go on a bit of a shopping spree.” Rachel exhaled, pushing out the tightness trapped inside her chest. “I hope I’m up for this. It’s incredibly exhausting to put yourself out there, and I’ve only begun.”
“We came all this way for you to see Brandon, and for you to get a second chance.” Haley stood, reaching for her suitcase. “Come on. You need to give this one more good ol’ college try or you’ll regret it later.” She gave her a sideways glance.
Rachel threw up her hands. “You’ve convinced me.” She went and retrieved her suitcase dumped by the door.
Both women changed and freshened up. Once properly primed, and at the fashionably late time of 7:15, Rachel and Haley walked across the hotel lobby and out the sliding glass doors. Luckily, the muggy air had cooled significantly, but gnats danced around in full force. Rachel swatted them away. Wilson’s was located a block down Main Street from the hotel.
“Have you seen anyone else we know?” asked Haley as they walked toward the restaurant.
Rachel gripped her clutch tighter. “I’ve chatted with a few people. But no big standouts.” Then she stopped abruptly, Haley nearly tripped over her heels. “Wait. I did run into a guy named James. Ripley?” She squinted as she questioned her memory. “Yes. James Ripley. I didn’t remember him, but he remembered me. A real hottie with a body.”
Rachel knew she was smirking as she thought about James. After her run-in with Brandon, she had completely forgotten about James. Ahh, James, sweet baby James.
Haley cocked her head to the side. “James Ripley.” She nodded, starting to walk again. A few steps later, she snapped her finger and pointed. “Yes. James Ripley. Dark hair, beautiful green eyes—I think he was in English with us.”
“That’s him.” Rachel’s mind wandered back to James. Her stomach did a weird fluttery flip-flop. “I honestly have no recollection of him, which makes no sense to me, because the guy is gorgeous.” Her voice was overly sing-songy. “I wouldn’t mind seeing him again. Of course, that’s if things with Brandon don’t pan out.”
“Without a doubt, but you’re keeping your options open. I like it,” Haley chuckled. “I always liked James. He was nice, but always kind of kept to himself. Last I heard, he was an attorney, like a big fancy one, in New York City.”
“He lives in New York City too,” Rachel repeated, mostly for herself. What were the odds?
Haley nodded. “I believe so.” Then, almost as a second thought, she added, “I always thought he had a crush on you.”
“What?” Rachel nearly choked on her own saliva. “You did?”
This was news to her. Rachel hadn’t been swimming in dates back in high school. If she had known, she would’ve welcomed the admiration. But she understood being too reserved to make a move on someone. Look at how she acted around Brandon.
Haley smirked. “James was always trying to be in our study group. I knew he didn’t like me, because he always turned bright red whenever he was around you.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “I made someone turn red . . . I’m flattered.” How had she never noticed? “Geez, was I completely dense that I didn’t notice a cute boy like James looking my way?” She made a tsk sound with her tongue. “I blame Brandon. He messed with my head.”
“What can you say?” Haley elbowed her. “You’ve only had eyes for one guy. And—still do.”
Rachel shrugged. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“Hey, you’re giving destiny one last chance to make something happen.” Haley looped her arm through Rachel’s. “You might as well see this thing all the way through.”
Rachel could only imagine. Her speck of a town, in the middle of flyover country, had little to offer, along with an even smaller population. Most used the two lane highway as a convenient thoroughfare as they drove onto more exciting cities like St. Louis or Des Moines. Cloverton, yeah, it wasn’t any sort of destination at all, not for anyone but those returning home to visit family.
Soon, peeking out on the horizon, the outline of homes and farms came into view. All recognizable because nothing had changed. It was like someone had snapped a photo fifty years ago and placed it at the back of a scrapbook. Cloverton had carbon-copy brick buildings which hugged each other, lining both sides of Main Street. A one-room, white-painted library gave a touch of variety to the landscape. Rachel remembered the two oversized chairs facing the front window, where she had devoured stacks of books before filling up her wagon with new ones to take home.
The mom-and-pop grocery store, which only had handheld baskets and no pushcarts, was where she worked as a bagger at sixteen. Next to the K-12 school was the coveted sports stadium, where the high school played their home games, and where she had her first kiss under the bleachers. All the memories came back with a vengeance, some good and some bad. It had been so long since she had returned, and it would probably be years before she ever came back again.
But was this home?
The streets were familiar, but the buildings looked dingier than she remembered. Was Main Street only two blocks? That couldn’t possibly be right, but apparently, it was. Then Rachel recalled all over again why she had left in the first place.
Pushing up her chin, Rachel shook her head. “Not anymore.” She peered out the passenger side window, wringing her jittery hands together. The boring structures passed right on by. “It hasn’t been for years.”
The Uber driver gave a curt nod, ending their very brief exchange of words.
Then, at the top of the hill, the hotel came into view. It had a banquet room, the only big gathering place in town, where every major dance, graduation, and event of her life had been held. Here was also the location of this weekend’s ten-year high school reunion.
Her heart thundered to a steady staccato beat. Fumbling around, she dug into her purse, retrieving her trusty compact. Flipping it open, she scanned her makeup, scrutinizing every inch of her face. Rachel had one shot to change the narrative in her less-than-adequate love life. This weekend was going to be the beginning of her love story. Wishful thinking? Probably. But then again, she had always been a bit of an optimist.
Back in high school, Rachel had blown it. Chickened out, essentially, but . . . that was Ten-Years-Ago Rachel. Today’s Rachel would be charming and self-assured. If ever there was time to flip the script, that was this weekend. For ten years she had lived with regrets, not anymore. The RSVP list had one name on it she cared about: Brandon Belford. Just thinking about him now made her palms sweaty and cheeks flushed. Through the grapevine, she learned he was newly divorced and . . . available.
Coming to a halt in front of the hotel, the Uber driver peered over his shoulder at her in the back seat. “This is you.” He opened his door, climbing out.
“Great.” Rachel applied one last dab of lip gloss, smacking her lips together. She tossed it back into her purse. “Thanks.”
Exiting the vehicle, the summer air, all muggy and sticky like cotton candy, engulfed her entire being. An instant trickle of sweat dripped down her back. Yeah, this was Cloverton.
“Oh, great,” Rachel mumbled as she grabbed her roller suitcase from the Uber driver, who had set it on the curb. “My hair is going to be flat.”
He hesitated, eyeing her.
She waved off her comment meant only for herself. He left without another word. Her summer dress stuck to her skin, making her feel awkward. Rachel tried her best to air it out by pulling the front of her dress away from her skin. Then she moved it back and forth to create more air flow.
Muttering under her breath, “Ahh—it’s useless.” She threw her hands up.
Up before the crack of dawn, Rachel had spent the better part of the morning carefully curling her hair into soft beachy waves. Then at the airport, she had double checked to ensure it had maintained its style. Now she had flat, sweaty hair. This is great. Just great. Brandon will take one look at me and move right along to someone else.
Brandon wasn’t just any guy, he was the guy. Always the lead. Never the supporting actor. And one didn’t win over a guy like him if they were playing in the minor leagues.
Her phone rang, interrupting her spiraling thoughts. Rachel fished her cell phone out of her purse and tapped to accept the call. Placing it up to her ear, she said, “Haley. Are you already here?” She scanned the front of the lobby.
Her purse slipped down from her shoulder, and Rachel hiked it back up. All around her, people were entering and exiting the hotel. The hotel probably had more visitors today than it had all the other days of the year combined. She smiled at a few recognizable faces who brushed past her.
“No,” Haley sighed. “My flight was delayed. I snagged another flight, and I’m about to board. I’ll be there soon. The flight is only two hours.”
Rachel glanced at her watch. “Bummer. I guess I’ll get checked in, but I’ll wait until you get here to eat dinner. Does that sound okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be hungry and ready to eat by the time I arrive.” Haley paused, then lowered her voice. “Have you seen Brandon yet?”
“No. Not yet.” Rachel scrutinized the people entering and exiting the hotel, hoping for a glimpse of Brandon. Fiddling with her hair, she then covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her voice. “But . . . he did RSVP. He’s coming.”
Depending on a ten-year high school reunion to rewrite the past wasn’t exactly . . . original. If anything, Rachel knew she was teetering ever so close to pathetic. But it wasn’t like this plan had come completely out of left field. Back during her senior year, Rachel had shared a moment with Brandon. It was a missed opportunity, causing her years of regret. Enough already.
“He wouldn’t miss it. I know Brandon.” Haley’s tone turned slightly mocking. “He’s probably been counting down the days until the reunion, so he can once again bask in the glory and adoration of every single woman in our graduating class.”
“Hey,” Rachel scoffed, examining the front of her dress again. She picked off some stray lint with her free hand. “I’m one of those women.”
“I know. I know. I just don’t want you to be disappointed if the weekend doesn’t go the way you planned.” Haley cleared her throat, then paused. Finally she added, “Besides, this is the first time I’m leaving my baby. I’m thrilled I get to be around some other adults for a change, especially you. Try not to spend the entire weekend upset if Brandon is flirting with everyone else, too.”
Rachel knew the transition to motherhood had been extra challenging for Haley when she had Elsa. She had expressed feeling isolated and lost in her new role. Being a single person, Rachel had no idea how to relate to Haley’s struggles, but she could guarantee Haley had an enjoyable weekend, kid free.
“True. I need to focus on the positive.” Rachel let out a breath, loosening the tightness in her chest. “I get to spend the weekend with you, my best friend. And it’s been way too long.”
“Exactly,” Haley agreed.
“But Haley . . .” Rachel gnawed on her fingernail, nearly ruining her new manicure. “Am I totally off base with this whole ‘trying to win him over’ plan?”
“No,” Haley firmly replied, “and I’d tell you the truth. Now stop spiraling.” Haley spoke over a loudspeaker announcement in the background. “That’s me. I need to board. Keep it together until I get there. Okay?”
Rachel agreed and ended the call.
Tossing her phone back into her purse, Rachel paused, gnawing on a fingernail. Her mom had always taught her to not slouch, but instead to be proud of her tall, long, and lean frame. Somehow it became her mantra, carrying her through her middle school years, when she towered over the boys in her class.
Rachel squared her shoulders, and then, as if on cue, the sliding glass doors to the hotel lobby opened, blasting out refreshing air-conditioned air. The cool air shot a tingle down her spine. When she didn’t immediately enter, they slammed shut again. Come on, you’ve got this. Adjusting her purse and luggage, she walked forward. The doors reopened, and she crossed the threshold into the lobby.
A huge banner hung across the middle of the lobby ceiling, greeting her graduating class. Encouraged by the welcoming sign, she smiled. Nostalgia washed over her. A flood of happy memories came back, specifically her high school graduation, held in the banquet room because the high school gym floor had been resurfaced. It was forever ago and yesterday at the same time.
A packed lobby bustled with people as the excitement of happy reunions occurred all around her. Brandon was somewhere in this mass of people. She knew it. Her imagination ran wild with the possible romantic rendezvous. Maybe he would take one look at her and with a dropped jaw say breathlessly, Where have you been my whole life? Then she would toss her hair over her shoulder and laugh flirtatiously while she basked in his adoring gaze. Well, certainly, one could dream.
Lost in her little dream world, she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings. A man cut across the path in front of her. She tripped on the wheel of her roller suitcase. Her arms flew forward, and she looked for anything to help her regain her balance.
“Whoa . . .” The man crossing in front of her grabbed onto her, attempting to hold her steady. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes dilated as she scanned his face. “Oh . . . sorry.”
Rachel rammed into her roller suitcase, stumbling backwards. Floundering, she gripped tightly to the good-looking man with jet-black hair and green eyes. His blue and green button-down seersucker shirt made his eyes pop. Whoa. Where had this guy been back in high school? Her stomach fluttered like a forlorn teenager.
“Ahh—” Rachel attempted to find her footing.
Once both of her feet were on solid ground, she straightened her dress and patted down her hair.
He released his grip, taking a small step back so they were no longer rammed up against one another.
“Thank you.” Rachel stammered. “I didn’t see you.”
He chuckled. “I believe you.”
After a long pause, Rachel cleared her throat. “Are you here for the reunion?”
Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.
He ran a hand through his thick locks, then rubbed his jaw before shoving his hand into his pocket. “Yep. I’m here for the reunion, Rachel.” He shifted his weight and gave her a once over. “It’s good to see you.”
It was a miracle. He remembered her. What was his name? Her mind went blank. Come on, remember him. He remembers you.
“Yes . . . I’m Rachel.” Fidgeting with the handle of her suitcase, Rachel asked, “Did you go to Cloverton?”
“I sure did.”
He smiled. A warm, I’ll-take-care-of-you-forever smile, settling the weird swimming sensation in her stomach.
“I’m James.” James pulled his hand out of his pocket, placing it over his heart. “James Ripley.”
Squinting, she slowly repeated, “James Ripley . . .” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “Sorry. It’s not ringing a bell.”
Rachel suddenly wished she remembered him.
James waved it off. “No worries. It makes sense.” He scratched his head, pausing. A loud ruckus interrupted them, and he glanced over his shoulder toward the classmates congregated at the hotel bar. The group quieted down. Shuffling his feet, James finally said, “I wasn’t exactly Mr. Popular in high school, but you were in my English class our senior year. I sat right behind you.”
“You did?” questioned Rachel.
Why couldn’t she remember him? James wasn’t easy to forget, at least not now. It must be that time had been good to him. Rachel dreamed he thought the same about her. Because oh boy, James with his broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline, and dazzling green eyes made her body buzz from merely standing in his presence. Yes, please.
James laughed, making her insides turn on themselves.
“Yep.” His eyes twinkled with mischievousness. Moving his hands out of his pocket a tad, he looped his thumbs through his belt loops. “I can clearly see I made zero impression on you.”
A man walked by and clapped James on the back. He turned, greeting him with a broad smile. As they exchanged a few pleasantries, Rachel tried not to stare as his movements made his hair fall ever so perfectly across his forehead. James introduced the man to Rachel, but she was distracted the entire time, checking James out. James had a rugged, outdoorsy appeal, like he belonged in the back country, chopping wood—shirtless. More heat wiggled its way down her spine. Easy tiger. Once the man left, Rachel immediately forgot his name, and James brought his attention back to her.
There was a long, uncomfortable pause. Her skin crawled. Where was her A-game?
James tilted his head. “Sorry, what were we talking about?”
“How I was an idiot not to notice you back in high school,” Rachel muttered under her breath.
Smirking, James cocked an eyebrow.
Whoa, wait. You’re here for Brandon.
Rachel shook her head, clearing her throat. “Nothing important.” She pulled back her shoulders, rediscovering her confidence. “Only about how you remember me, and I simply have a hazy memory of you.”
His cheeks tinged pink, making him even more attractive.
“I’m not surprised.” James shifted a step closer. “I tried to blend in, to survive the whole arduous four years.”
You aren’t blending in now.
Her gaze flickered quickly over his perfectly proportioned frame. No way this guy ever blended in.
Finding common ground, Rachel replied. “You and me both.”
Trust me.
“Liar,” James countered. His nostrils flared. “I have it on good authority that you broke many hearts back in high school.”
Her face flushed with heat, spreading down her neck. What hearts? She’d love to know. She spent all of high school chasing down one guy, and one guy only, Brandon Belford. Just the name crossing her psyche made her pulse uptick and sweat slather her brow. And boom—just like that, she was back on the Brandon train. No time to waste on anyone else, right? Not even James. Though she fully admitted, he was a total hottie.
James shuffled his feet, snapping her back to their conversation. “I’m glad I ran into you, Rachel. You look good. Real good.”
“Yes—the years have treated you well, too.” Her hand flew to her mouth, covering it. Rachel’s eyes widened. Then she forced her lips into a tight smile. “Will I see you tomorrow at the reunion?”
James straightened his stance. “Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Until tomorrow.” Rachel continued past him, brushing his arm on her way to the hotel check-in line.
She shook off the encounter and tried to focus on her original plan: Find Brandon and get him to fall in love with her.
A long line traveled from the front desk to halfway through the lobby. A few familiar people passed by while she waited. Rachel greeted them, chatting, while the line slowly crept forward. During high school, she preferred to stick with her bestie Haley, but Rachel had participated in many extracurricular activities, so she knew most people from her graduating class.
Still, if you had asked her last year if she would attend her ten-year high school reunion, she would’ve laughed. Then, when Brandon updated his relationship status from married to divorced on social media, Rachel nearly flipped. She didn’t need a bigger sign. Her second chance was this weekend. With Brandon.
In high school, Brandon had been everything. He knew it, too, and he had used it to his advantage, dating everyone in their graduating class. Well, practically everyone, everyone but Rachel. He had spent most of high school ignoring her, except for one night. The encounter still made her stomach all topsy-turvy whenever she thought about it, even though it was years ago.
During a basketball game her senior year, she had nearly peed her pants when he slid into the seat next to her. His friend group happened to be sitting behind her, but the bench was full when Brandon arrived, so he plopped right down in the empty space next to her. The game went into overtime, and his friends left to go to a party while Brandon decided to hang back.
After a few nail-biting plays by their team, the two exchanged high fives when the team scored a three-pointer, giving them the lead. She nearly died, like the very breath in her lungs failed to fill back up. Then Brandon casually asked Rachel about their upcoming physics test. They fell into a conversation, anxious for her and seemingly thoughtless for him. Brandon ended up talking to her for the rest of the game. When the buzzer sounded and the team ran off the court, Rachel expected Brandon to quickly make his exit. Instead, he had lingered, walking her out to the parking lot.
When she stopped in front of her car, fiddling with her keys, Rachel bravely met his eyes. Seconds ticked by like an eternity, and Rachel panicked. She knew Brandon was going to kiss her, but she’d had little experience. Only one kiss under the bleachers, when she was sixteen. Sure, Brandon kissed people all the time, for fun, for kicks. What if she messed up? How could she know she was doing it right? Maybe he would be repulsed by her lack of kissing ability. Rachel moved closer to the car, leaning her back against it. Brandon shifted his weight toward her, moving only inches away. Then he reached out, brushing her hair out of her eyes like a total boss.
But instead of leaning in and encouraging him to continue, Rachel had nervously laughed, averting her glance. A group of loud students meandered toward them, breaking the spell. Brandon jumped back, removing his hand. He mumbled goodbye, nearly running to his car. Swoosh—the moment disappeared as quickly as it had come. High school ended a few weeks later, and their paths didn’t cross again before graduation. She missed her chance.
It had eaten her up every day since then. What if she hadn’t chickened out? What if she had simply leaned in and kissed him? Maybe they would have ended up together. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. The not knowing was the worst part. This weekend, she wanted an answer. She hoped to rewrite the past.
Eventually, she made it to the front reception counter and checked in, receiving her room key.
With key and roller suitcase in hand, she headed toward the elevator. It dinged. The doors of the elevator swung open, revealing Brandon. Her insides did a somersault while her heart skidded to a halt. Breathe, breathe, breathe. The world began to move in slow motion, like when the music starts to play in a rom-com movie during the meet-cute. But this wasn’t a movie. Brandon, in the flesh, stepped off the elevator with a cell phone glued to his ear.
Rachel paused, blinking. She found her voice. “Hey . . . Brandon.” The words were shaky and a tad too loud.
Brandon’s gaze found hers. Tilting his head to the side, a look of confusion crossed his face. He furrowed his brows, making the lines on his forehead deepen. He paused, covering the mouthpiece of his phone with his hand. “Do I know you?” Brandon questioned.
Poof. Her shoulders slouched. This couldn’t be happening. The man didn’t even remember her. They had almost kissed!
“It’s Rachel.” She tucked her hair behind her ears, forcing herself to stand up straight. Plastering a smile on her face, she pointed at her chest. “Rachel Millson.”
His eyes formed tight slits. Brandon gave her a quick once over. A few beats of time passed, which stretched out like infinity. Shaking his head, he finally replied, “Sorry. I don’t know you.” Brandon took his hand off the mouthpiece, putting it back up to his ear. He briskly brushed past her and spoke into the phone. “Okay, sounds like a plan. Wilson’s at seven for drinks. I’ll be there.” His voice eventually became indistinguishable as he strode across the lobby, all the way outside.
Her face sagged. Brandon didn’t even remember her. At all?! Nada. Zero. Zilch. Worse, he gave her the complete brush off. This entire weekend was a mistake. A big one. Colossal. If there had been a cave to crawl into, she would have welcomed the reprieve from this total humiliation.
Knees wobbly, she filed into the elevator with the other guests who had been waiting.
In a depressed daze, miraculously, she made it to her room, where she promptly dumped her stuff by the door and catapulted herself face forward onto the bed. With a face full of pillow, she screamed and pounded the fluffy pillow-top mattress. Tantrum over, she flipped to her back, staring up at the ceiling tiles. Forcing herself to calm down, she breathed in and out, repeatedly, until she managed to drift off to sleep.
A banging at the door awoke her a few hours later. She rose, stumbling across the hotel room toward the door. Groggy, she swiped at her eyes as the knocking continued.
“I’m coming,” Rachel shouted as she tripped over her suitcase on the way, almost hitting her chin on the wall. “Hold your horses.” She swung open the door, revealing Haley. Rachel squealed, clapping her hands together. “Haley! You made it!”
They hugged.
“I did.” Haley broke their embrace. “I’m glad I didn’t end up spending the entire weekend in the airport.” She filed into the hotel room behind Rachel. “Also, I’m glad we decided to stay in the hotel instead of at our parents’ houses. My parents turned the spare room into a TV room.”
“I’m glad we’re staying here, too,” Rachel agreed. “It gives us a better chance of being with everyone. My parents’ house is in the middle of a remodel, so they are out of town until Sunday to escape the mess. But I’m going to meet up with my parents and brother after the reunion for dinner, before I head back to New York.”
“I’m doing the same.” Haley waved a hand. “Did I miss anything?” Raising an eyebrow, she eyed Rachel.
Rachel adjusted her twisted dress, averting her glance. “I think this weekend might’ve been a mistake,” she muttered, following the statement with a loud exhale.
Haley scanned the room, waving off the idea. “Nonsense. I’m out of Boston. And this is the first time in months I’m a free woman without Elsa in tow.” She placed her suitcase on the sofa, then plopped herself down on one of the queen beds, wagging a finger in her direction. “You aren’t ruining my newfound freedom.”
Rachel sat down on the edge of the bed opposite her. “I won’t. We’ll have fun together, no matter what the weekend holds. It just . . . I already saw Brandon.”
“You what?” Haley nearly fell off the bed when her body lunged forward from the news. “Why didn’t you text me and tell me?”
“I fell asleep.” Rachel shook her head, burying her face in her hands. Her hair cascaded down, covering it. She groaned. “He didn’t even remember me.” Then she peeked over between her fingers.
Haley waved her hands. “Wait. Wait. Please go back—to the beginning.” She spoke slowly, enunciating each word. “I need to hear about the whole interaction from start to finish.”
Climbing fully on top of the bed, Rachel settled next to Haley before she said, “I saw him getting off the elevator. I mean, he was walking right toward me. I thought this is it, manna from heaven.” She gave Haley a crooked smile. “He was on the phone, but I decided to be brave. I wasn’t going to be timid and shy like how I was in high school. I mustered up the courage to say hello. He paused, looked me square in the eyes and said, I quote, ‘I don’t know you,’ then went back to talking on the phone.”
Haley sucked in air. “Geez. Harsh. I’m sorry, that totally bites.”
Rachel gnawed on the inside of her cheek. “It’s the worst.”
“He doesn’t remember you.” Haley squeezed Rachel on the arm. Her voice took on a tad-too-chipper tone. “It doesn’t mean this whole thing’s a wash. You do have the entire weekend to make something happen. Besides, you’re completely different from how you were in high school. Maybe if he is given the chance, Brandon might end up liking what he sees.”
She mulled over Haley’s comment. Rachel wasn’t a person who quit things at the first sign of trouble. If anything, she often became energized from challenging situations. This was a big reason why she excelled as a labor and delivery nurse. She had an ability to quickly regroup. “I did overhear him tell the person on the phone he was going to Wilson’s tonight at seven.”
Haley slapped her on the knee. “See, you still have a chance.” She grinned. Her arms made a wide-open gesture. “I guess this means we’re going to Wilson’s tonight at seven.”
Rachel fiddled with her hands in her lap. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Haley leaned forward. “Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.” She popped up one shoulder. “But what do you have to lose?”
“Nothing,” Rachel muttered.
Except her pride, along with her hopes and dreams.
“That’s right. Nothing.” Haley glanced at her wristwatch. “We have a whole half hour to get you looking smoking hot. Hopefully, you have some new outfits for me to approve.”
“I did go on a bit of a shopping spree.” Rachel exhaled, pushing out the tightness trapped inside her chest. “I hope I’m up for this. It’s incredibly exhausting to put yourself out there, and I’ve only begun.”
“We came all this way for you to see Brandon, and for you to get a second chance.” Haley stood, reaching for her suitcase. “Come on. You need to give this one more good ol’ college try or you’ll regret it later.” She gave her a sideways glance.
Rachel threw up her hands. “You’ve convinced me.” She went and retrieved her suitcase dumped by the door.
Both women changed and freshened up. Once properly primed, and at the fashionably late time of 7:15, Rachel and Haley walked across the hotel lobby and out the sliding glass doors. Luckily, the muggy air had cooled significantly, but gnats danced around in full force. Rachel swatted them away. Wilson’s was located a block down Main Street from the hotel.
“Have you seen anyone else we know?” asked Haley as they walked toward the restaurant.
Rachel gripped her clutch tighter. “I’ve chatted with a few people. But no big standouts.” Then she stopped abruptly, Haley nearly tripped over her heels. “Wait. I did run into a guy named James. Ripley?” She squinted as she questioned her memory. “Yes. James Ripley. I didn’t remember him, but he remembered me. A real hottie with a body.”
Rachel knew she was smirking as she thought about James. After her run-in with Brandon, she had completely forgotten about James. Ahh, James, sweet baby James.
Haley cocked her head to the side. “James Ripley.” She nodded, starting to walk again. A few steps later, she snapped her finger and pointed. “Yes. James Ripley. Dark hair, beautiful green eyes—I think he was in English with us.”
“That’s him.” Rachel’s mind wandered back to James. Her stomach did a weird fluttery flip-flop. “I honestly have no recollection of him, which makes no sense to me, because the guy is gorgeous.” Her voice was overly sing-songy. “I wouldn’t mind seeing him again. Of course, that’s if things with Brandon don’t pan out.”
“Without a doubt, but you’re keeping your options open. I like it,” Haley chuckled. “I always liked James. He was nice, but always kind of kept to himself. Last I heard, he was an attorney, like a big fancy one, in New York City.”
“He lives in New York City too,” Rachel repeated, mostly for herself. What were the odds?
Haley nodded. “I believe so.” Then, almost as a second thought, she added, “I always thought he had a crush on you.”
“What?” Rachel nearly choked on her own saliva. “You did?”
This was news to her. Rachel hadn’t been swimming in dates back in high school. If she had known, she would’ve welcomed the admiration. But she understood being too reserved to make a move on someone. Look at how she acted around Brandon.
Haley smirked. “James was always trying to be in our study group. I knew he didn’t like me, because he always turned bright red whenever he was around you.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “I made someone turn red . . . I’m flattered.” How had she never noticed? “Geez, was I completely dense that I didn’t notice a cute boy like James looking my way?” She made a tsk sound with her tongue. “I blame Brandon. He messed with my head.”
“What can you say?” Haley elbowed her. “You’ve only had eyes for one guy. And—still do.”
Rachel shrugged. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“Hey, you’re giving destiny one last chance to make something happen.” Haley looped her arm through Rachel’s. “You might as well see this thing all the way through.”
