“No problem.” He rested his elbows on the table, twisting his watch on his wrist. He sighed heavily.
“Everything okay?”
“You tell me.” With a pinched expression, Seth leaned in closer. His head cocked to the side.
“I’m sorry I haven’t called you sooner. A lot has changed, and I…” Her words hung on the tip of her tongue.
Seth’s gaze flicked up for a moment, but then he fixed his eyes on her again. “I learned something, Leah, the day I got hurt on the field.”
“What do you mean?”
He rubbed his brow as if to ward off a headache. “I thought I had it all figured out. I was going to be the best quarterback that ever lived. I would break records and make my family proud.”
“You did. Everyone is proud of you.”
His shoulders dropped. “I know. It was my dream, but dreams aren’t always the way you want them.” With eyes like limpid pools in a shadow, Seth continued. “I’ll understand, Leah, if your dream of us has changed. All you have to do is be honest.”
She lowered her gaze for a moment. Then she lifted her chin, her throat tightening. “There was a time… when I was in love with you, Seth Parsons.”
He bit down on his lower lip. “I loved you too, Leah.”
She wanted to dash out the door, but she needed to finish. Though her stomach hardened, she pressed forward. “I’m so
sorry and I appreciate your honesty, but… I don’t think we can get back what we had. I don’t… feel the same.”
He lowered his face but once he exhaled deeply; he lifted his chin. “Is that why you didn’t tell me about you and Cole?”
“What… I… how did you—”
“My mom wanted me to drop off some dinner for him, so I stopped by his studio. Imagine my surprise when I saw you there—with him.”
Her mouth fell open. She was silent, sitting before him like a little statuesque figure. Leah squeezed her eyes shut. He couldn’t have. A flush of adrenaline tingled through her body. How did she explain? Her plan didn’t factor in either of them; her life changed since her wish.
Leah clasped her hands together in her lap. She closed her eyes and summoned a deep breath. Then her eyes shifted to him. “I’m sorry.”
He slowly shook his head and cleared his throat. “If you don’t mind, I’ve lost my appetite.” He got to his feet, avoiding her gaze.
Leah jumped up and clutched his hand. Thankfully, Seth didn’t jerk away. “Seth, please understand. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
He gave a mirthless laugh. “I guess I deserve that. I said that same thing to you, didn’t I?”
Her chin quivered. Taking a deep, pained breath, she closed her eyes. “I’m not the same girl you knew in high school, Seth.” She opened her eyes and glanced up at him.
Stepping back, Seth unclutched her hand. His grimace lingered as he pivoted to leave the diner. The pain in the back of Leah’s throat increased. Losing her own appetite, she grabbed her purse to leave. She wished she could go back and change what happened. Seth’s broken demeanor replayed in her mind. Now every nerve in her body seemed like a strained harp-string ready to snap at a touch. Exiting the diner, she pulled out her phone and called Amber.
“Yes, Ms. Morris,” she answered.
Leah rubbed her forehead. “I’m going to take a longer lunch break. I’ll be back at the store in an hour.”
“No problem. Is everything okay?”
Leah looked heavenward. “Everything’s fine. Call me if there’s an emergency.” With that, she hung up and scurried to her car.
****
Shoulders rolled back, Leah’s eyes fixed on the mixed grasses and clovers. Sunbeams flashed on her face like a sudden divine delight. As her eyes further perused the terrain, some wildflowers added a spot of color, while tractors and farm equipment filled vacant spaces. A breeze shushed through the grass, flies buzzed, and Molly’s hooves pawed at the dirt. Leah patted the mare’s back.
She inhaled the sun-warmed earth and blooming flowers. Gently gripping the reins, she directed Molly back to the stables. How would she get out of this mess? Blowing out her cheeks, a sinking feeling resonated in her stomach. Inwardly, she cringed. Experiencing this from the other side, she never understood the pain of breaking someone’s heart—until now.