Page 113 of Thorns and Ashes
“He loves you, Tris,” Tom chimes in, wrapping his arms around Callie from behind and kissing her on the head. “That much is obvious.”
An involuntary smile spreads across my face.
“Yeah, well, he’s not the worst, I guess.” I shrug, pinching my lips together before my smile grows wider.
“You two will be fine,” Callie says, just as confident as before.
But this time, I believe her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Levi
“I’m just saying, if you bring store-bought apple pie to Friendsgiving tomorrow, I will riot,” Billy says to Mark as he wraps the hose.
“Come on, man,” Mark whines. “You know I can’t bake.”
“You’d better learn! Pinky’s been teaching me a few things. She found Sara’s old recipe book, so she, Blake, and I have been taking turns making them. Just wait until you guys get a taste of my sweet potato casserole.” Billy puts the hose in the rig and rubs his hands together excitedly.
“Great. I’m a cook, not a baker,” Mark quips.
I stifle my laugh, hiding behind my checklist, not wanting to add any more gas to this ridiculous fire.
“No,” Billy corrects. “You were a cook. Now we’re firefighters who happen to also know how to cook.”
“Whatever you say,” Mark says with a laugh. “I asked Remy to be my date for tomorrow.”
Billy’s eyebrows shoot up, and Mark grabs the back of his neck.
“Good luck, man.” Billy barks out a laugh. “You’re going to need it. That woman owns The Boozy Bear and is a total boss. No way she shows up.”
“It could happen. Crazier things have,” he argues. “Look at Captain and Tris. No one saw that coming.”
At the mention of her name, my heart sinks. Tomorrow will be a week since our argument, and we’ve barely crossed paths. I hate it. I’ve felt like an asshole ever since leaving Tom’s the other day. Callie and Tom both laid into me for how wrong I was about comparingher to her father, and once I calmed down, I realized it, too, but the damage was done.
I’ve been trying to find the right time to apologize, but each time I think about how she is still standing by her father after all he’s done, I can’t get myself to do it. But damn, do I miss her. Not a day has passed that I haven’t thought of her, wanted to share something with her, or wanted to be near her. The ache in my chest is a physical one that’s building.
“You guys good here? I’ve got to go check on something.” I put the clipboard down, not bothering to wait for an answer, and hop in my truck.
A few minutes later, I’m back at home, ready to make this right. I knock on her door, but there’s no answer. I try again, still nothing. I didn’t think she was working today, but maybe I’m wrong. I let Ellie out quickly to do her business and feed her before heading to the cafe.
“Hey, stranger,” Rory taunts, her hands on her hips as she stares up at me with a look that’s more intimidating than most grown men.
“I know, I know.” I put my hands up in surrender, and though her eyes narrow, her shoulders relax. “I messed up. I get it.”
“You better,” Ainsley adds, walking over to lean on the counter with a to-go cup in her hand.
“Awesome,” I sigh. “So you’re all mad at me now?”
“Mad is a strong word.” Rory’s lips tilt up. “I’d say we’re disappointed.”
My mouth opens, and I grab at my heart. “Why does that feel so much worse?”
“It’s supposed to,” Ainsley laughs.
“Wonderful,” I hum under my breath, dry and pointed. “Is she here? I want to talk to her.”
The girls exchange a look, like a conversation with their eyes that I’m not privy to, before looking back at me.
