The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(10)

Thayer’s eyes flicker with curiosity, and a flash of heat. “That so?”

“Yeah.” I try not to smile and fail. “Now that guy? He was an idiot.”

Thayer throws his head back and laughs and laughs and laughs. It’s music to my ears.

“I assume you mean me.”

I don’t hesitate when I say, “Yes.”

He drops his head, the smallest of amused smiles on his lips. “I deserve that.”

Now that the surprise is wearing off, panic is setting in. This is Thayer. The man I gave my heart, my soul, my everything to. I was a broken mess when I left him.

My marriage to Caleb might be over but he helped put me back together.

Clearing his throat he says, “It’s … uh … good seeing you.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Awkwardness sets in and we stand in front of each other, waiting for the other to do or say something first.

I’m the one to break the silence.

“I need to check on my mom.”

“Right.” He nods, backing a step away, closer to his side of the property line. “She invited me over for dinner tonight. I already said yes—I didn’t know you were going to be here, she didn’t say—anyway, I’ll call her later and cancel.”

Rolling my eyes, I inhale through my nose and out through my mouth. “I’m an adult, Thayer. Don’t treat me like broken china. Just because you shattered my heart, doesn’t mean I’m still damaged. You’re welcome to come for dinner.”

I’m glad I sound stronger than I feel.

“Oh.” He looks at me surprised—did he really expect me to just crumble and cry at his feet seeing him again? “If you’re okay with it, then.”

“I’m fine.” I don’t give him a chance to respond, turning on my heel. Before I reach the door, I stop and whip around. He’s still standing at the corner of the driveway. “Don’t be later than five.”

He wets his lips with a smooth slide of his tongue, hiding a growing smile. “Do you want me to bring anything?”

“Just yourself.”

“I can do that.”

I dip my head, reaching for the doorknob.

“Good.”

I let myself in and lean against the closed door.

What the hell? I went from not seeing the man for years to finally laying eyes on him again and now we’re having dinner tonight—all thanks to my mom.

It’s just weird.





CHAPTER 8





THAYER





I close the front door behind me, standing in the foyer shell-shocked.

Salem’s back in town.

She’s back.

She’s divorced.

And I have no fucking idea how long she’s going to be here.

Now, I’m supposed to have dinner with her and her mom. I can’t help thinking Allie planned this on purpose. She’s known about Salem and me since Forrest’s birthday that year. I guess now that Salem’s divorced, she’s playing matchmaker.

Rubbing a hand over my jaw, I head into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water. I gulp down half of it in just a few swallows.

I’m having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that Salem’s here.

Moving on from her should’ve been easy in theory—I was with her less time than I was with my ex-wife. But it didn’t work that way. I never expected it to, either, not with how intense my feelings were for her.

I moved on though—not in the physical sense, but mentally. I accepted that she had married and her life would carry on as it should, while I’d still be here.

That’s not the course things have taken, and that means, maybe, just fucking maybe, I have a second chance to get our love story right.





CHAPTER 9





SALEM





I set the table for three and then lay out the dishes I made across the counter so Thayer and I can serve ourselves buffet style—I’ll make a plate up for my mom so she’s not on her feet too long—and that way the table won’t be too cluttered.

“It smells good.”

My mom’s voice comes from the doorway, my head jerks up quickly in response.

“Mom, you’re supposed to ask for help before you get up.”

She waves a dismissive hand. “I’m not dead yet.” This is her only argument.

My shoulders collapse. “And I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible.”

“I had to pee,” she argues.

“Since you’re already up, go ahead and have a seat. I’ll fix your plate.” There’s no point in arguing with her. Unless she absolutely has no energy to do something, there’s no getting her to cooperate.

“I’m not very hungry.”

I narrow my eyes on her as she pulls out the chair where there’s only one place setting, meaning I’ll be forced to sit beside Thayer or move the placemat and everything, which would look weird if I did.

“I’m going to put a little of everything on your plate. At least try to take one bite of each.” She looks grossed out at the thought, but nods. “Why did you invite Thayer over for dinner if you don’t even want to eat dinner?”