Chapter 2

two

ELLA

Those ‘yep, that’s me—you’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation’ videos on social media are usually great for a few laughs, until you can relate.

I’ve got the perfect setup for one right now.

Cue the record scratch.

Then cut to the freeze frame.

The secret man of my dreams has my face cradled in his hands while we sit in the middle of the pumpkin patch. I imagine there are probably streaks of mascara frozen on my cheeks, but with the way he’s staring at me, perhaps he doesn’t notice. The invisible wind whipping around us suspends the ends of my tattered dress in midair.

I wish a frozen moment in time could truly encapsulate the way he smells (like earth and cinnamon), the way his calloused fingers feel on my skin, or the way my heart is about to pound out of my chest for a whole different reason than it was a little while ago.

If I back up the events of this afternoon by about fifteen minutes and freeze frame that moment, it’s a lot less interesting, but equally dramatic. I’m mid-run, my favorite oversized burnt orange cardigan hiding at least part of my ripped dress.

Where am I running? To my safe haven. The one place I always go when life is overwhelming or feels unfair. To my best friend’s pumpkin patch. My waterproof mascara is holding up miraculously, but I figure I probably look like I lost a round in the chicken coop.

Or the goat pen.

Farm animals would be a better explanation than what actually happened, because they don’t know better. They’re not intentionally unkind or hurtful.

I skid to a halt, half slipping on the dirt in the middle of the patch. In my hurry to get away from the house, I forgot I still had on my Crocs and they’re not exactly known for having traction. They also really don’t go with anything I have on. My clothes are as chaotic as my emotions.

“Why do I have to keep being nice to someone who clearly hates me?” I grit out through clenched teeth. Angry tears cut paths down my cheeks, which only makes me more upset. I hate to cry.

I’m not directing the question at anyone. It’s not like anyone can answer it for me. She doesn’t deserve my kindness, but I know that once I catch my breath, I’ll continue to give it to her.

I made promises I refuse to back down from.

With a heavy sigh, I drop to the ground and hug my knees. This isn’t how I pictured tonight going, but all hope’s not lost.

It can’t be.

When the road gets unfamiliar, sometimes you have to back up and find the turn you missed so you can get back on the right path.

Which is exactly what I’m trying to do when Luke Jackson finds me.