The Lost Years by Stacey Ritz

Author:Stacey Ritz [Ritz, Stacey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rockville Publishing
Published: 2019-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

Dinner with Milo hadn’t ended with a kiss as Rainie had hoped. He had walked her to the door, lingering before they called it a night. At dinner, he’d chosen the asiago tortellini alfredo while she’d enjoyed the eggplant parmigiana sandwich. Over breadsticks they’d stayed on safe topics; weather, siblings, his surf lesson and her shopping excursion earlier that day. When the main course was served, they ate in silence before diving into conversation again. Milo spoke first.

“About earlier…” he cleared his throat, looking her in the eyes with tenderness.

“I’m sorry about that.” Rainie shook her head, not wanting to talk about Cooper and not wanting the conversation to turn awkward.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Rainie. Really.”

Rainie nodded.

“I had a good time.” He smiled easily and Rainie appreciated his poised demeanor. She’d always loved that about him.

“I did too.” She grinned, recalling the kiss and the way he’d wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Fourteen years apart and he could still instantly sweep her off her feet.

After a few minutes, Milo added, “You look happy.”

“You too.”

Both nodded simultaneously.

Rainie was happy with her work. She was happy with the person she was becoming. She was happy to be reuniting with Ronnie and her mama, and now Milo. She had many reasons to be grateful.

Conversation flowed smoothly after confronting the events of the day. They glided from one topic to the next with ease; Rainie’s sanctuary, Milo’s veterinary practice, his family, her family, the book she was reading to the last book he’d read. She asked him about his running and he asked about some of her wildlife rehabilitation and release projects. Cooper’s name was never mentioned, and for that, Rainie was relieved. It wasn’t until she returned to the beach house that night that he entered her mind.

As Rainie closed the front door behind her, she found Ronnie uploading her latest beach photos to her laptop for editing. Rainie peered over her shoulder, enthralled with the images her sister had captured. “They’re beautiful.”

“Thanks, I’m pretty happy with them.” Ronnie finished clicking the mouse before turning to look up at Rainie. “So…how was it?” She asked excitedly.

“The date?”

“Yes, of course, the date!”

Rainie blushed. “It was good.” Despite Milo’s recent departure, she already wanted to see him again. A part of her still wished she was that little girl who loaded her little sister up in the red wagon, hopped on her bike and rode to Milo’s house.

“Seriously. Good? That’s all I get?” Ronnie rolled her eyes.

“What else do you want me to say?” Rainie pulled out a chair from the dining table to sit next to her.

“Is he seeing anyone back home?”

“I don’t think so.”

“You don’t know for sure?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to talk about Cooper.” She winced. “It wasn’t fair to ask about his love life back home.”

“Well, my advice is to make sure he doesn’t have a wife.” Ronnie raised her eyebrows and pressed her lips together.

“He doesn’t.”

“Good.” She nodded curtly.

“Still no word

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