Page 3 of In the Dark of the Past

I laughed and made my way to the huge oak desk just off the corner. It had everything I’d requested, and it sat atop the most gorgeous, textured rug I’d ever seen. When I caught sight of the chair—the chair, the one I’d be using for sessions—the tears broke loose.

“Forget the candle. I’m asking her to marry me,” I said.

Libby’s laugh was rich and full. “Brendon might take issue with that. But honestly? If her skills were a person, I’d marry them, too.”

I looked over at her. “Speaking of, are you seeing anyone?” I moved from my desk chair to the chair. God, it was perfect.

“Nah.” She waved a hand through the air. “Nothing serious, anyway. I dated an accountant from Wollowaki,” she said, mentioning the next town over, “but he bored me stiff. I mean, I dig math, and big brains are sexy as hell, but I swear to God I could’ve done my taxes during sex and had more fun. He was so boring.”

A laugh burst out of me. “Oh, geez. I’m so sorry. I don’t blame you for cutting him loose.”

“What’s your flavor of late?” she asked, raising a brow and reclining, tucking her hands under her head, elbows bent.

“No preference, really.” I shrugged. “I dated a really cool tattoo artist a few years ago, thought it might go somewhere, but she moved to Los Angeles, and I wasn’t ready for that kind of leap. We still talk sometimes. After her, I dated a construction worker, but I had the opposite problem as you. Some of the shit that guy wanted to do? I mean, I like a little bondage play and a sexy spanking as much as the next gal, but…” I blew out a breath. “Yeah…no.” I shook my head.

We both cracked up.

“Well, I have someone who might tickle your fancy. And if you don’t want to date her, she’s seriously a kickass friend, so…no harm, no foul.”

“Intrigued. Tell me more.” I propped an elbow on the arm of the chair and rested my chin in my hand.

She sat up straighter. “Her name’s Autumn. Autumn Caldwell. She’s an archivist at the local museum and lives in the Hawkley house on the hill.”

“Wait. The big Victorian?”

“The one and only. Monique helped her get it all ready when Autumn bought it, and when I say that house is to die for, I mean it. Absolute haunted-mansion vibes…but in a good way.”

“She sounds awesome.”

“Okay, it’s settled,” she asserted. “We’re having drinks. Tomorrow. Seven o’clock. The Hollow Oak. Wear something fun. They’ve got a live country band every Friday.”

“You’ve got yourself a date, Ms. Trent.”

We hugged, said our goodbyes, and I locked up behind her. Then I turned to leave and face another blast from the past.

Chapter Two

River

The next evening, I sat in the kitchen of the house I’d grown up in, seeing ghosts of my parents in every corner. I’d known coming back here and living in this house would be difficult, but it was honestly the easiest option. And I figured it’d buy me some time to figure my shit out.

I finished the last sip of the wine I’d poured to pre-game, then pushed up from the table and headed upstairs to get ready.

I’d picked out a black-and-white dress with a flouncy hem that hit mid-thigh and off-the-shoulder cap sleeves. Perfectly cute, flirty, and just the right amount of don’t underestimate me. Paired with my favorite black cowboy boots, it was a whole vibe. Whether there was chemistry between Autumn and me or not, I was determined to look hot as hell tonight. I was bound to see plenty of people from back in the day, and I wanted to at least look like I had it together.

An hour later, I packed my small crossbody purse and slid into the driver’s seat of my new-to-me SUV, headed toward the Hollow Oak.

The bar and grill was smack-dab in the center of town, built right around a massive oak tree that, according to legend, had been standing since the town was founded. The place had multiple levels, each styled like a treehouse, with rough-hewn wood, winding stairs, and string lights that made it feel equal parts magical and wild. It had always been the coolest hangout spot in Maple Ridge—part rustic, part rebel.

I couldn’t help but wonder if they’d made any changes in the last almost-decade, or if I’d be the one who’d changed the most.

I spotted Libby’s unmistakable red hair almost immediately. She smiled widely and waved me over from a huge corner booth on the ground level, surrounded by what looked like…definitely more than one person.

I took a deep breath.

I could do this. I’d have to confront and meet people eventually. Might as well rip the Band-Aid off now.

Libby stood as I approached. “Hey, sweetie.” She wrapped me in a huge hug, then pulled back to give me a once-over. “You’re a smoke show.”