The milliseconds of pure horror that vibrated through my bones when I realized that the woman standing in front of us was none other than Whitney Carter–Prom Queen and jock with a popularity score five times what mine was in high school–were milliseconds I wouldn’t even wish on my worst enemy. She looked right at me with those big, brown eyes of hers–the ones that shone with animosity even when paired with her fake-ass smile–and for a second, I really thought she had clocked me.
Honestly, I shouldn’t have been surprised. What was truly surprising was that it hadn’t happened sooner. I was different, but not that different. I still had my mother’s slightly crooked nose, my father’s eyes piercing hazel eyes, my grandmother’s full lips. I was a Dawson, I was obviously a Dawson, and I probably couldn’t get away with the charade much longer.
And then she locked eyes with Duncan.
“Duncan Lange? Wow! I haven’t seen you in…” She shook her head and adjusted her designer purse hanging from her left arm.
“I think two years?” Duncan offered. “Micky’s wedding.”
She snapped her fingers and pointed at Duncan, her smile growing. “That’s it! Wow, I can’t believe it’s been so long!” She pushed her cart right up to us, the clack of her heels echoing through the store. They were really really nice heels. Expensive, too.
I was almost a little jealous.
But then again, a six-foot bearded contractor from out of town gushing about where some stranger in the grocery store got her shoes was probably… not the inconspicuous vibes I was going for.
As soon as she made it to us, she opened her arms, and Duncan didn’t hesitate to give her a hug. It was only then that her attention turned to me.
I couldn’t tell if it was paranoia, or just a gut feeling, but I swore she looked at me like she knew me.
Before she could say anything to confirm or deny my theory, I held out a hand. “Hi. I’m Liam. I’m new. Duncan is showing me around town.”
She looked me deep in the eyes, then looked down at my outstretched hand. A moment of silence passed between us before she took it. “Whitney Carter. A pleasure to meet you, Liam.”
“Likewise.”
The tension in the air as she pulled her hand away was thick enough to cut. Our smiles were strained, and something unspoken buzzed between us. I couldn’t tell if it was caused by me being a paranoid shit, or if she just flat out hated me. It wouldn’t be a surprise–not like we got along in high school, either. But I would have thought we would have moved past that.
She turned her attention right back to Duncan.
“So, you get a new job as the town welcome committee? And here I thought you were a computer man.” Her smile was much different with Duncan. Less forced, I noticed.
Duncan shoved his hands into his pockets again. “Computers are in my blood, Whit, couldn’t stop even if I wanted to.” He glanced at me briefly, then back at Whitney. “Actually, Liam is working on the Dawson house. He’s a contractor. He’s gonna be in town for a while, so I offered to show him the ropes.”
Whitney blinked a couple of times, then looked back at me. “The Dawson house?” She asked, looking for confirmation. As if that was so unbelievable.
“I guess he knows Dawny from the city,” Duncan explained.
As if I couldn’t explain for myself.
As if I wasn’t standing right fucking next to them.
Yet another thing I hated about Chestnut.
Whitney pursed her lips, and tapped her perfectly manicured nails on the handle of the cart. “Wow. Dawny. There’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.” Her eyes pooled with something, but she covered the expression up so quickly I couldn’t get a read on it. “It’s such a shame. What happened.”
Duncan’s expression darkened as well. “I know. I still can’t believe it.” He shifted on his feet. “It’s so weird, them being gone.”
A tightness twisted in my chest, and I had to harden my expression fast–before either of them could catch on to the grief swirling inside me. I couldn’t think about it. Not in front of them. Not in public. I was playing the role of Mysterious Contractor From LA–not the part of a grieving child.
“So, you’re close with her, then?” Whitney turned to me again. “Can you tell her how sorry I am? To hear the news?”
I cleared my throat. “I’m not really at liberty to discuss my clients, but… I guess I can… make sure your message reaches the right person.”
Whitney nodded in thanks. “So, the city, huh? Which one?”
“Los Angeles.”
“L.A.! Wow, I never expected Dawny to end up in a place like that. I always thought she would stay in Chestnut with you, Duncan. But, I guess we never really know the people we went to high school with.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder again–but that time, she very pointedly used her right hand, and showed off an extremely flashy diamond engagement ring in the process.
Duncan and I both noticed, but I wasn’t about to take the bait.
Duncan, on the other hand…
“Holy shit, Whit! That’s a rock!”
I rolled my eyes.
She blinked and looked at her hand as if she hadn’t been making an effort to get our attention with it. “Oh, this little thing?” She held out her hand so we could get a better look. Duncan wrapped his fingers around hers so he could inspect the ring closer. “Remember Carson? He proposed on Valentine’s Day! It was so romantic.”
Duncan grinned. “Seriously? Wow, took him long enough! You’ve only been together for forever.”
Whitney waved a hand at him, but she was clearly enjoying the attention. “Oh, stop. It was only a matter of time. Start thinking about who’s gonna be your plus one now, though. Invites go out soon!”
“I wouldn’t miss it!” Duncan promised, letting her go.
Whitney took a breath and pulled her phone out of the pocket of her high-end pantsuit. “Well, I should get going. I’ve got a ton of shopping to do, and more errands for the wedding on top of it. It was nice to see you again, Duncan! And nice to meet you too, Liam.”
I had partially zoned out, hardly processing a thing until she said my name. “Hm? Oh, yeah. You too.”
Whitney started to walk away, then paused. “Oh, Duncan! Are you coming to Greyson’s get-together on Friday?”
“Depends on if I have to work late.”
She smiled, nodding her head in my direction. “Might be a good idea to invite some company.” She winked, then walked to the end of the aisle and turned out of sight.
Oh, great. A party. In Chestnut. Thrown by someone from my high school football team.
That was exactly how I wanted to spend a Friday night.
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