“Aria.” She ignores me and walks into the house, the front door closing behind her. I drag my eyes off the door and turn to Zara. “What the hell was that?” My voice is low so as not to alarm Jacob, but my tone is laced with annoyance and I know she hears it.
“I could ask you the same thing! Where have you been?”
Before I can answer, my mum appears at the door, her face a picture of worry. Her eyes are fixed on me and I know she can’t see Zara from where she’s standing.
“Why is Aria crying? What happened?” My heart twists knowing she’s upset, and I drag my free hand through my hair in frustration.
“Hmph,” Zara says. “I’ve no idea whyshe’supset. I should be the one crying, knowing my boyfriend spent the day with another woman.”
On hearing Zara, my mum steps out of the house, her eyes narrowing as she glares at her.
“Really!” my mum exclaims. “You’ve no idea? Are you sure about that?”
My eyes flick between my mum and Zara, and I wonder what the hell their cryptic conversation means. Zara doesn’t back down though and glares back at my mum, which leaves me feeling uncomfortable.
“Like I said, I’ve no idea.” She holds my mum’s gaze determinedly, and there is a silent standoff between the two of them until my mum shakes her head. She sighs loudly and walks down the steps toward me. I’m more confused than ever after watching their exchange.
“Let me take Jacob so you two can talk.” I nod and she reaches her hand up, cupping my face. “Follow your heart, Jack,” she whispers, her eyes boring into mine. Dropping her hand, she reaches for Jacob, placing him on her hip. “Do you want some ice cream?” she asks, and he nods, bouncing excitedly in her arms. “Come on, then, let’s get some and find Pops.” She disappears inside with Jacob and I’m left alone with Zara, who looks like she wants to kill me.
“Where have you been withher, Jack?”
“We went to the river for a picnic. We’re friends.”
She lets out a sarcastic snort and walks down the porch steps to stand in front of me. “Can’t you see it?” she asks, her tone softening as she puts her hands on my bare chest.
“See what?” I ask, confused.
“She wants you, Jack. She’s trying to come between us.”
I laugh and shake my head. “And how exactly is she doing that? I asked her to go on the picnic, and I’ve hardly seen her all week.”
“I’ve seen her looking at you like a lost puppy.” I roll my eyes and step away from her, her hands falling from my chest.
“You’re being ridiculous, Zara.”
“Am I? She was always hanging around you before the accident. Why do you think Jacob is so attached to her? She never left you or him alone. I hated it, and even you were beginning to get sick of her.”
“That can’t be right,” I voice, my head pounding with everything she’s telling me. I’m so confused. This is the most anyone’s told me about what happened before the accident, other than finding out about Jacob, but what she’s telling me feels wrong.
She shrugs half-heartedly, closing the small distance I’d put between us. She winds her arms around my neck and brushes her lips against mine. “It’s the truth, you just don’t remember. I wouldn’t lie to you, Jack.”
I look down at her, realizing I hardly know the woman in front of me. In my head, it’s three years ago and she’s six months pregnant. I’ve known her for just over six months, and we argued a lot in those six months. I’ve no idea if she’d lie to me. The Jack before the accident does, but I’m not him, not anymore.
“You’re right, I don’t remember, but she seems nothing like how you’re describing.”
“I don’t want to talk about her anymore. I’m sorry I got mad, I just don’t want to lose you.” I sigh and wonder if she’s struggling with my memory loss as much as I am. If we were happy before the accident, then she must see a change in me. Maybe it’s that that’s making her act a little crazy.
“Are we happy, Zara? Really happy?”
“What?” she asks, her voice wobbling.
“Are we happy?”
“You asked me that at the hospital.”
“I know, but I’m asking again.”
“We’ve had our ups and downs like any couple… but I’m happy. Aren’t you?” Her voice is low, and when her eyes meet mine, tears are pooling in them. Sighing, I drag my hand through my hair before wrapping my arms around her. Maybe this is my fault. I guess I’d be insecure if my girlfriend lost her memory and then spent the day with a guy I felt threatened by.