“I remember everything about you,” he whispered. “Oh, here’s this.”
My throat closed up as I looked at the shiny teal wrapper in his hands. I took the Rice Krispie Treat from him.
“You really do remember everything,” I gasped.
He chuckled. “Yep. You’re middle name is Elise and you hate it because you think it sounds old fashioned. I, on the other hand, love it. Your favorite color is green. Rice Krispie Treats are your favorite sweet,” he nodded at the wrapper in my hand, “you love to read anything and everything, and…shall I continue?” He raised a brow, waiting for my response.
I gazed at him in awe. I would’ve thought all these years later, we’d have to get to know each other again, but he hadn’t forgotten anything about me. I certainly hadn’t forgotten him either.
“No,” I squeaked as we walked side by side. I had to get to my last class of the day.
Trent fell into step beside me, both of us silent. I stopped outside the door to the building that led to my next class. “I have to go, I can’t be late,” I mumbled.
Trent nodded. “I know. I’ll…see you later,” he smiled, leaning in to give me a soft kiss that left my whole body humming.
“Thanks for this,” I held the coffee and Rice Krispie Treat aloft.
He nodded, tipping his head at me as he backed away.
“Red!” I called at his retreating back.
He turned around, stopping in his tracks with one brow raised.
“Your favorite color is red,” I breathed. “I remember things too, Trent.”
chapter nine
Even hours later, I was still shocked by Trent’s surprise visit and the sweet gesture of the coffee and Rice Krispie Treat. I’d greedily slurped down the coffee, finding it to be the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted. For some reason, though, I had found myself unable to devour the sugary treat currently residing in my backpack. Like a child, I wanted to hold on to it and treasure it for what it signified.
Five years.
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-six days.
It was a long time.
Yet, it was also like no time at all.
Neither one of us had ever been able to forget the other. I remembered things about Trenton that I wished I could forget. It would make ignoring him so much easier. But we had a past, a past that refused to let either of us go. We were tethered together and our bond was indestructible. My years of ignoring him had proven just how everlasting it was, because here he was—here, we were—back to pretty much where we’d always been.
A connection like ours—I refused to think of it as love, love was simply a fairytale—it wasn’t easily broken. It stretched, it frayed, but it did not break.
I looked at the time on my phone, cursing under my breath. I had to get home, the kids were probably starving, and my “study time” had been pretty much non-existent.
I packed up my stuff and locked up the library on my way out.
I couldn’t get home fast enough. I felt horrible that I’d completely forgotten the time. I might have to stop staying late at the library—but that meant I’d never get any school work done.
Technically, though, I shouldn’t have had to worry about rushing home. They were my mom’s responsibility, but the woman couldn’t do anything.
When I walked in the front door and into the house I found the kids in their bedroom playing.
“Hey,” I stopped in the doorway, a little breathless. “Are you guys hungry?”
They shook their heads.
“Ivy made me a sammy,” Tristan smiled up at me, from where he played on the floor with little toy cars.
I frowned. “Oh. Okay.”