Page 65 of Library or Lattes?

I stroked the soft leather, then brought it to my nose and breathed it in.

This would signal my fresh start. I’d make plans about each city I wanted to visit. Starting with Rome—because why not?!

I left the bookstore feeling happier than I had all week. I wasn’t thinking about anyone else, I was making plans just for me. This wasn’t only a notebook. It was a symbol of my future, of plans I had yet to make and adventures on the near horizon.

But my happiness was short-lived.

Because Sara was walking in. She froze, and so did I.

She pulled her sleeves down over her hands nervously. My heart raced.

And we stood there for what felt like an hour, until we both spoke at the same time.

“Sara, I—”

“Can we talk?”

I nodded. My throat was dry. We moved out of the way, and earshot, of other customers.

“I’m so sorry.” The words tumbled out of my mouth. “I wasn’t thinking. It wasn’t my place, I would never … not intentionally—”

“I know.” Sara cut me off. “Lennie’s told me enough about you to know it was a mistake.”

Guilt pooled in my stomach. “Still, I—”

“But do you know what it felt like?” Her voice cracked slightly. “My brother came home and asked me straight out if I had a boyfriend named Lennie. And then I had to stand there and lie to his face because I wasn’t ready …”

“Sara …” I felt sick.

“I had a plan, you know. I was going to tell my whole family. But then I had to do it right then, before my brother did it for me. And I was terrified, Willa, terrified they’d kick me out or—”

Sara’s voice broke and she wiped her eye with her sleeve.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears were pricking my eyes now too, and shame burned through me. I couldn’t believe what I’d done to her. How careless I’d been with something that mattered so much.

“The thing is, they were actually okay,” Sara said.

“That’s—”

“I know. That’s not the point.” Sara shook her head. “The point is that it should have been my choice, and you took that away from me even if you didn’t mean it …”

She was right. She was completely right.

“You’re right, Sara, I really am so sorry.” I sniffed back tears.

“I know you are.” Sara touched my arm this time. “And I forgive you. I just needed you to know how it felt.” She gave me a sad smile. “Oh, and Lennie really misses you, by the way. She’s just been protective of me. Processing everything.”

I nodded.

“I should go,” said Sara. “But, Willa? Thanks for apologizing. For real. And maybe we can all hang out sometime?”

“I’d like that so much.” I smiled and stood there until Sara disappeared into the bookstore.

She didn’t have to do that. Didn’t have to accept my apology or offer friendship or a way forward. But she had, despite how badly I’d screwed up.

I’d hurt her and she was still giving me a chance.

Almost home, I took out my phone. There was someone else I needed to make things right with now.