Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry.”
“Hayden McKenna, is that you?” Devorah’s heart jumped at the sound of her former best friend’s voice. Laila Dixon and Dev had been inseparable, until Chad. He’d changed everything. Until now, Devy never realized how Chad had alienated her from her friends. Her hometown. From the people she loved. Even though she had a complicated relationship with Crow, Chad had kept Devy and Maren from visiting OB.
Hayden turned at the mention of his name. “In the flesh.”
Devorah leaned forward to glimpse the girl-turned-woman who knew her deepest, darkest secrets. Especially those she’d told Laila about Hayden. Devorah waved at Laila, surprised to see her still working the booth at the drive-in. Maybe coming back or even staying in Oyster Bay wouldn’t be so bad. Not with Laila and Hayden around. It could be like old times. Minus the make-out sessions with Hayden, because Devorah wasn’t going to let herself go there again.
“Hey, Laila. How are you?”
Laila leaned to the side while Hayden pushed himself into the seat cushion. “Um . . .”
“Devorah Crowley,” she said quietly. Did Laila not remember her? That stung, but she deserved it after the way Devy had treated her and dismissed their friendship.
“Oh, Devorah. I didn’t know you were visiting.”
“Yeah, I’m back for a bit.” She guessed the rumors weren’t flying as fast as she thought.
Laila tried to smile, but it failed to lift her cheeks. Devy gave up. She didn’t need any more embarrassment for the day.
Hayden paid and found them a spot in the back, where they wouldn’t block a smaller car from seeing the screen. He got out and started setting up the back. Devy helped as much as she could, but he had everything under control.
“You can’t let Laila bother you.”
“At this point, I shouldn’t let anything that happens bother me.”
Hayden helped Devy climb in the back. “Think about it this way: Laila has lived here her entire life. She probably married her high school sweetheart and has two point five children. We grew up and left, and now we’re back and the talk of the town.”
“Correction, I’m the talk of the town, and she remembered you.”
“That’s because I’m hot.”
Devy rolled her eyes. “Ego much?”
“Only where you’re concerned. Come on, let’s go get some popcorn and sugary snacks.”
Hayden jumped out of the truck and then helped Devy out. She walked as close as she could next to him without holding his hand. She wanted to, but there was no way she’d make a move like that.
She would wait for him and kind of hoped he wouldn’t wait too long.
Sixteen
Hayden
Devorah Crowley—because Hayden refused to use her married last name—made him feel like a sixteen-year-old all over again, and even though they were in middle school when they had their first kissing encounter, those feelings never subsided, at least until he’d simply given up.
The jitters were back. Those heart palpitations that made him feel like he was about to shake right out of his skin. He felt anxious and energized, like he’d drunk a four-pack of Red Bulls and was ready to run a marathon.
The worst part—he needed to put his hands somewhere, and his pockets didn’t suffice. When they entered the snack shack, it was crowded. Granted, the space was tiny, so more than ten people made it feel like there wasn’t any room to move around. Hayden used this as an excuse to reach for Devy’s hand.
You know, so she wouldn’t get lost.
Her fingers slipped between his effortlessly, and when she gave his hand a light squeeze, he smiled, thankful he was taller than her because he didn’t want her to see his cheesy grin. They got in line and stared at the illuminated menu.
“That thing has never been updated,” Dev said.
“Probably not. I can’t imagine this place brings in a ton of money with the giant megaplex forty minutes down the road.”
“I think that’s sad. Granted, I live in a megacity, but there’s something about the nostalgia a small town has.”
“Like fish fries.”
Devy’s eyes widened as she looked at Hayden. “I haven’t had a fish fry in a long time. Is Hank’s still open?”
Hayden nodded. “Does Maren like fish?”
“No, but my girl can put away corn dogs like there’s no tomorrow.”
He laughed as they stepped closer to the counter. “Conor is the same. His favorite are chicken fingers, and now with fancy sauce.”
It was Devorah’s turn to laugh. “Who knew ketchup and mayonnaise would be so popular together.” They took another step toward the front, still holding hands. “Some company bottles it, but I can’t remember who. Doesn’t matter because it’s not the same.”
“See, you get it. Ranch dressing from a restaurant isn’t the same as the bottle. I say this all the time, and no one believes me.”
“Believe me, I do.” Dev laughed again.
They approached the counter. The teen behind the cash register mumbled, “Can I help you?”