10. Londyn
LONDYN
Iwas already pretty toasted when the group decided to move the party to Skylar’s place, so I opted out.
I made a quick stop in the bathroom, then Skylar or one of the others in the group helped me get home—or at least, I think they did.
I didn’t remember the ride to the house or paying the driver.
It was like I blinked, and I was in my parents’ house and curled up in bed.
I woke up the next morning feeling like absolute death.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had a hangover quite like this one.
My head hurt, my eyes ached, and my tongue felt like sandpaper.
In hopes of blocking out the sun, I pulled my comforter over my head and thought back over my night with Skylar and the crew.
We’d laughed and talked for hours, and I’d had a really great time—even with the whole Danny debacle.
I still had no idea how I’d got it so wrong.
I guess my mind was playing tricks on me.
Just like it was playing tricks when I thought I saw Malcomb.
Actually, I felt him before I saw him. I could feel the heat of his stare on my skin. I immediately turned and quickly glanced around the room. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted a set of blue eyes staring back at me. Certain it was him, I leaned to the left in hopes of getting a better look.
But in a blink, those beautiful baby blues were gone.
I looked around the entire bar, but there was no sign of him. It was as if he’d vanished in thin air, and it bothered me more than I cared to admit. In fact, his not being there disappointed me more than when Danny turned cold on me.
I wanted to see him.
I wanted him to look at me the way he used.
I wanted him to hold me, kiss me, and make love to me—just like he used to. But those feelings of want and need were laced with hurt and anger.
As much as I wanted to forget, the day he ended things haunted me. Being turned away felt like a stab in the back. Malcomb completely ignoring my letters only deepened the wound.
It was those memories that turned my heart cold and gave me the strength to force the longings I had for him out of my head.
And then, only then, was I finally able to drift back off to sleep.
I planned to sleep the day away, but Mom dashed those plans when she came into my room and hissed, “Are you going to answer that?”
“Answer what?” I grumbled.
“Your phone,” she fussed. “The stupid thing has been vibrating off and on for over an hour.”
“I’ll get it in a minute.”
I heard her footsteps grow closer, then a shuffle at my bedside table. The phone landed next to me as she fussed, “It could be important.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ve got it.”
I rolled over with a huff and grabbed my phone. I squinted my eyes as I looked at the screen and groaned when I saw that it was Jackson calling. I threw my arm over my head, covering my eyes as I answered, “What?”
“I’ve been calling for over an hour.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Where the hell have you been?”
“In bed.”
“Ooohhh, so you had a big time last night.”
“I did. In fact, I had a great time.”
“Oh, really?”
“It was one of the best nights I’ve had in a while.”
I went on to tell him everything about my night, both the good and the bad, and once I was done, he chuckled and said, “Damn. I hate I missed it.”
“Me, too. I think you would’ve enjoyed it.”
“I’m glad you had a good time. You deserve it.”
I giggled as I told him, “You sound like my mother.”
“Well, your mother’s a smart lady, just like me.”
“Gotta love your confidence.”
He laughed as he said, “It’s part of my charm.”
“Yes, it most certainly is.”
There was a moment of comfortable silence before Jackson spoke up again. “So, I umm... I have some bad news.”
“Oh, God. What is it?”
“You gotta promise not to get mad.”
“Just tell me.”
“Michael’s wife went into labor last night, so he’s not going to be able to go to the conference tomorrow.”
“Okay. How is that bad news?”
“I have to go in his place.” There was a long pause before he added, “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to the wedding.”
“What?” I sat up and immediately regretted it when my head started throbbing. With a dramatic groan, I fell right back on my pillow and whined, “I can't believe you're going to bail on me like this.”
“I’m not bailing, Londyn. I’ve gotta work,” Jackson defended himself.
“But you promised me you’d go with me.” I felt bad for giving him a hard time, but I really didn’t want to go to Skylar’s wedding alone. “Can’t you do something?”
“I wish there was, but I’ve got no choice here. I’ve gotta go.” I could hear the sincerity in his voice as he said, “You have to know that I’d never intentionally disappoint you, but this is a career opportunity that I can’t pass up,” Jackson explained.
“I know... I know.” I was disappointed that Jackson couldn’t come, but it wasn’t the end of the world. I’d had a good time with Skylar and the girls. I had no reason to think the wedding wouldn’t be more of the same. “And I understand. I really do.”
“I’ll make it up to you,” Jackson assured me.
“No need. It’s really not a big deal,” I mumbled. “I’ll tag along with my parents and try to slip out early.”
“And if he’s there?”
“Then, he’s there. I’ll figure it out.”
“Or you could try talking to the guy.”
“Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see how the night plays out.”
“Okay, but you better keep me posted. I don’t want to spend the whole weekend worrying about how you’re doing.”
“You know I will.”
We said our goodbyes, and I immediately rolled over and closed my eyes with a groan, trying my best to ignore the knot in my stomach. Like she could read my mind, my mother walked in with a glass of iced tea and a bottle of Tylenol. “I thought you might need a couple of these.”
“Oh, you are a lifesaver.” I sat up in bed and took the Tylenol from her hand. “I’m too old for this.”
“Oh, hush.” She sat my tea down on the bedside table. “You’re still plenty young for nights out. You just had one too many.”
“I had more than one too many.” I grabbed my tea and took the Tylenol, then told her, “And I’m going to pay for it for the rest of the day.”
“You just need to sleep it off.” She gave me one of her motherly pats, then started out of the room. “I’ll be back in a bit with some soup and crackers.”
“What about Dalton?”
“He’s with your father.” She stopped and turned to face me with a smile. “They’re off having some guy time. Now, stop worrying and get some rest.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
With that, she walked out of my room and closed the door.
I slept off and on for another couple of hours, then eventually got up and took a long, hot shower—which did wonders for what was left of my hangover. I helped Mom with a little laundry, then we all piled up in the living room and watched one of Dalton’s favorite Disney movies.
The next morning, Mom came into my room and asked if I wanted to go into town with her to do a little shopping.
I wasn’t really in the mood. I was still a little tired and feeling a little off from the weekend festivities, but Mom insisted.
She wanted to help me find a new outfit for the wedding, so I agreed to tag along.
We drove into town and parked in front of a small boutique I’d never been to before.
Nestled between a bank and a bookstore, it had a quaint sign hanging above the door that read Franny’s Dress Boutique.
I was looking at the clothes in the window as I told Mom, “This place looks cute.”
“Oh, you’re going to love it.” She turned off the engine and slipped her keys into her purse. “She has the best sales.”
Feeling hopeful, I followed her up to the front door, and as we stepped inside, a bell chimed, announcing our arrival. The store was filled with a variety of clothing items, ranging from dresses to skirts to blouses, and Mom was right. She had some really great sales.
I started browsing through the racks, and it wasn’t long before a cute little black dress caught my eye.
It was made of a soft material and had a flowy skirt that would be perfect for the wedding.
I held it up to my body, admiring it in the mirror, and I was about to get Mom’s opinion when I spotted her talking to a man near the back of the store.
He was older with a kind smile and perfectly styled gray hair, wearing a cute little sweater vest, and my mother was yammering on like they were old friends. After a minute or so, Mom nodded her head, then turned and headed over to me.
As soon as she was within earshot, I whispered, “Who was that?”
"Oh, that’s Mr. Bruton. He’s on the town council, and he’s getting a petition together for a new caution light in town.”
“Another caution light?” I rolled my eyes. “That’s the last thing we need. We already have three, and no one knows how to use them.”
“Londyn.”
“Well, they don’t.”
“I happen to think it’s a splendid idea.” She shook her head as she reached for the dress in my hand. “This is cute.”
“You think so?”
“I do.” She held it up to my chest and smiled. “I think you should try it on.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely. I think it will be perfect for the wedding.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
I slipped into the dressing room, and just as I’d hoped, it fit like a glove. I stepped out and did a quick spin, and Mom gasped. “It’s perfect. We have to get it.”
“I think so, too.”
I darted back into the dressing room and changed back into my clothes. I took the dress up to the counter and reached into my purse only to discover that my wallet wasn’t there. “One second. I need to run out to my car.”
Mom immediately stepped over and said, “I can get it for you.”
“No, I’ve got it.”
I didn’t want to get into a debate with my mother, so I quickly turned and rushed out the door. I went to my car and grabbed my wallet from the console. I was about to head back inside when my attention was drawn to the coffee shop across the street.
My heart jumped in my chest when I saw that it was him.
Malcomb.
He was walking towards his truck with a cup of coffee in each hand.
He was taller, broader, and more muscular than I remembered.
He was a man now, all tough and gruff, but I could still see remnants of the Malcomb I once knew.
He was lurking behind that fierce exterior, and I found myself wishing I could talk to him.
Just for a second.
With a little fancy maneuvering, he managed to open the door to his SUV. My breath caught when he suddenly stopped and glanced over his shoulder, looking around the parking lot. I didn’t move. I just stood there next to my car, watching intently as he eventually got inside his truck.
I felt compelled to rush over and speak to him.
But the thought terrified me.
I was going back and forth in my head when I noticed that he wasn’t alone. There was a blonde sitting in the passenger seat. Her head was down, making it difficult to see her face, but it didn’t matter.
He wasn’t alone.
I’d held on for years, but it was clear he hadn’t done the same.
That was all I needed to know.