older and buffer. His facial hair is thicker but still neatly trimmed. His dark hair is longer, messier, and not as clean-cut as he used to keep it. But if there’s one noticeable difference, it’s his build. His biceps are nearly bursting out of his coat, and if my smacking into him is any indication, his chest is more muscular too.
“Wow, that’s great.” He shoves his hands into his pockets as if he’s stopping himself from reaching out to me again. The tension in the air is so thick that I wouldn’t be surprised if Wilma feels it too. “I bet your folks are excited to see you.”
“Yeah, they are. But mostly to show me all the updates they’ve done to the house because it looks different in person,” I say, chuckling nervously.
“You look really great, by the way,” he beams, which causes me to blush. “I can tell the city life really suits you.”
“Thank you,” I respond. “You too. Mom said you’re now Sheriff Massen now. Must be working out a lot then, huh?”
He shrugs modestly. “Gotta do something between paper pushing and patrolling.”
Before we can say another word, a woman barges into the cafe and immediately lights up when she spots Cole. She’s blond and busty—the opposite of me—and it takes me a second to find my bearings when Cole introduces us.
“Sarah, this is Gretchen. Gretchen, this is Sarah. We grew up together.”
Grew up together? We dated for years! What the hell?
I blink hard, then realize Gretchen’s shoved her hand my way.
“Lovely to meet you, Sarah.”
Finally, I take it and smile. “You too.”
“Did you order?” Gretchen asks Cole, looping her arm through his and removing the space between them. She looks at him as if he’s her whole world, and he smiles.
Well, it’s official. I need to dig a six-foot-deep hole and fall into it so I can die from embarrassment.
Of course, he’s not single after all this time. I moved away and have no right to be jealous. I should be happy he found someone. Cole’s handsome, has a great job, and is the kindest man I’ve ever known. Someone scooped him up, and based on her tight grip, she doesn’t plan to let him go.
“Not yet,” he tells her.
“Well, I should get home,” I stutter, sidestepping to get around them.
“See you around,” Cole blurts out, but it sounds more like a question than a statement.
“I’m here through New Year’s, and it’s a small town, so I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.” I shrug with a laugh.
“Have a good night.”
“Thanks, you too.”
Finally, I escape into the cold night air and release a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
Those same butterflies he used to give me came rushing back as soon as I saw him again, which is the last thing I need right now.
Chapter Two
COLE
I thought my mind was playing tricks on me when I saw Sarah here. At least a million times, I’ve replayed what I’d say to her the first time I saw her again, but all those words left me as soon as our eyes met. She looked beautiful, better than I remembered, and I almost had to pinch myself to make sure it was real.
So many unspoken words streamed between us. Over the past six years, I’ve been tempted to reach out to her and tell her how much I missed her, but I didn’t want to make being away harder. So I busied myself with work and moved up the ranks. Of course, her mother kept her updated with my life, so it didn’t surprise me that she knew I’d been promoted to sheriff. Our parents are still close friends, so nothing stays secret. I wished I would've had more time to talk to her before Gretchen arrived, but I took it as a sign.
Sarah knowing I was on a date made things awkward. She tensed and looked at Gretchen from head to toe—not in a rude or judgy way, but it’s obvious they are from two different molds. The coffee shop closed at ten, and Gretchen and I chatted until Wilma kicked us out.
On the way home, the only thing on my mind was Sarah and the way her cinnamon-colored eyes seemed to see straight through me. Damn, I didn’t realize how much I missed her. All my repressed feelings for her came to the forefront, something I never expected to happen.
It’s been a rough Monday, and I’m happy to finally have the chance to eat. I’m contemplating