35
Brynn
The town is busy by the time I cruise in.
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been here, and as I navigate the Mini down the main street, I’m struck by how much it reminds me of Carson’s Cove. The quaint independent storefronts and historic buildings boast that small-town, picturesque vibe that I’ve always loved.
It takes me two tries to find the side street where Buddy’s is located, then a full twenty minutes to find parking. I’m so preoccupied with logistics that I don’t fully notice the butterflies in my stomach, which have multiplied exponentially, until I’m standing in front of the blue-painted bar door, twisting the knob, and finding it unlocked.
“Hello,” I call as I push it open.
The place is quiet. It smells a little musty, as if the doors have been closed for a while. The floor is deep-brown carpet. The chairs and tables are stained dark wood. It’s dated, for sure, but it has a homey feel. Especially the bar. It’s made of a beautiful wood. Intricate designs are etched into the shelves. Its U shape reminds me of the Bronze. I can perfectly picture Josh behind it, a white bar towel tossed over his shoulder as he pulls a beer from the tap.
“Hey, sorry. We’re closed,” says a voice.
It freezes me in place.
“I’m tight with the bartender. We crossed a space-time continuum together. It’s bonded us in weird and wonderful ways.”
“Brynn?”
My thoughts scatter as I turn a slow 180 degrees to face him. All of the things I wanted to say are forgotten as I lock eyes with a man I’d cross a hundred dimensions to find.
“You changed your hair.”
I pick up a lock of hair between my fingers and drop it. “The blond never felt like me. I think my soul is a brunette.”
He takes a step closer. “It looks so different.” He shakes his head. “Good, I mean. Beautiful.” He runs both his hands through his hair and lets them drop. “Sorry. I’m still learning.”
“So am I.”
I take a step toward him, then another, then one more, till there’s nothing but a breath between us. I’m almost afraid to touch him, worried that he’ll burst like a bubble. A beautiful illusion.
He moves first, his fingers traveling up my arm, lightly skating upon the surface until he cups my chin.
“You made it back.” His thumb brushes my cheek, and I fight the urge to close my eyes, wanting to soak in every single second with him.
“It’s a really long story,” I tell him. “But I’ll spoil the ending. Sloan doesn’t end up with Spencer.”
Josh’s hand stills. “An unexpected twist?”
“Turns out they work best as old friends. She’s got too much going on. Luce. A sundress empire to run. She’s only in town for a short while before she’s off to see the world.”
Josh smiles. “I like that ending.”
I nod. “I do too. But tell me, what about your happily ever after?”
Josh takes a step back, his hand dropping from my cheek. “This place is going to take a lot of work. It needs some updating. New flooring. I kind of think it could use a band. I was thinking I could really use a partner.”
I try to hide my smile. “I may know someone. She’s pretty slick behind the bar. If you can steal her away from Applebee’s, she might be perfect.”
He steps toward me again, his arms coming around my shoulders as he pulls his head to mine. “I think she’ll be perfect.”
His lips travel from the bridge of my nose to my lips, where he plants a soft kiss.
“Hey, Josh.” I pull back to say the magic four words that I traveled through time and space to tell him. “I fudging love you.”
He laughs, pressing his lips to my forehead.
“I fudging love you too.”