picking us up or dropping us off, but aside from that, they didn’t hang out—weren’t friends in the same way mom and Diane were. I don’t know how I didn’t realize this before. It just seemed like all these people who were in my life were in each other’s as well.
I think of Diane and mine’s conversation and the emotions and truths that fed our souls and hearts, the doubt and rejection I’ve been struggling to understand for weeks, the confirmation of Ellen and her minor role in my life. I think about how the news would spread around town if I were to tell Carrie or even Sophia about my mom and Ellen. Then my thoughts change to wondering how they didn’t know? Was it kept a secret? Did they all just not pay attention?
Since meeting Miriam, endless questions have kept me awake, and with each new answer, a dozen more questions appear. But I’m starting to realize that I’ve been chasing answers for four years now—questions about Matt and me, and my future, and how I’d get back to Texas. Those questions prevented me from some of the far more important questions like getting to know my dad, Whitney, Ross, and Colton better, from what I want to do with my degree and taking too long to understand my feelings for Arlo.
“She’s doing really well. She says hi, by the way.”
Carrie smiles. “Would you like anything to eat?”
“Actually, I think I’m going to take a nap.”
She laughs, approaching me with her arms wide open. “It’s spring break. That’s a great idea. You can sleep out on the hammock or in your room.” She holds me for a moment, and the questions about if she knew about Ellen or my mom fade farther away.
“This is going to be so much fun!” Sophia sings as we park at the pizza restaurant.
Nerves are coursing through me as she links her arm with mine and we head inside. I still haven’t talked to her about Matt, and taking a look at how many cars are here tonight, I’m wondering if I’ll even have the chance to talk with him alone.
“Do I know this many people?” I ask, peering across the sea of people gathered in the upstairs section of the restaurant.
“Olivia!” Someone yells, and several more follow, echoing my name.
Sophia laughs, her hand sliding to find mine as she starts toward the group.
Familiar faces smile and stand to greet me, reminding me of the many reasons I miss Texas.
I stop when Matt steps forward. My thoughts race as he reaches for me. His arms engulf me, hugging me so close I can’t smell the rich aroma of the pizza, only his cologne and the beer on his breath. “There’s my girl,” he says. He takes a step back, his hands still wrapped around my arms like so many have done over the past twenty-four hours as if they’re checking to see what has changed—like they can see the differences in my expression or on my body. Matt’s gaze slides down the front of me and then back to my face before a smile pulls at his lips. “Olivia Reid, you get prettier every time I see you.” He turns, yelling for someone to get me a beer. Christian, a friend of Matt’s from childhood, hands him a half-filled cup that Matt passes to me with a laugh. “What are we doing this week? When do I get to see you?”
“You’re seeing me right now.”
His gaze drops to my cleavage. “You know there’s a whole lot more of you I want to see.”
“I’m going to order,” Sophia says, gripping my elbow. “What sounds good? Pizza? Salad?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
Sophia smiles at Matt and then me. “If you guys want some time, you know it always takes an hour to get food here.”
Matt grins. “She’s right. Let’s go sit in my truck.” His hand grazes down my arm, whisper-soft and yet glaringly obvious.
I nod, but before we make it to the front doors, my phone rings, and Rose appears on my screen. It’s the fourth time she’s tried calling me since we left Sophia’s house.
“I’m sorry, Matt. I have to take this really fast.”
His eyebrows quirk up. “Everything okay?”
“I don’t know.” I push my back against the door and head outside as I accept the call. “Hey.”
“Have you talked to Arlo?”
Goosebumps break out across my skin at the panic in her voice. “Kind of. He texted me this morning. Why? What’s going on? Is he