Page 9 of Midnight Lessons
I force myself to look away, to focus on the next customer waiting in line behind him. “Well, Ishould get back to work,” I say, the words more for my benefit than his. “Welcome back to Midnight Falls, Owen.”
“Thanks,” he says, his voice lingering in the air like a caress. “I’ll be seeing you around, Low.”
Why does that sound like a promise?
“Yeah,” I manage, my voice barely above a whisper. “See you around.”
He turns and walks out, the bell above the door jingling in his wake. I watch him go, relief and longing swirling inside me.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Owen Callahan is here in Midnight Falls, teaching at the high school. The man who once owned my heart is now a part of my everyday world again. And I have no idea what that will mean for either of us.
I’m standing on the edge of something vast and empty, a chasm that’s grown between us over the years. I thought I had made peace with him leaving, with the way things ended. But after seeing him, I realize that some wounds never truly heal—they simply get buried under layers of time and silence.
I stare at the spot where he stood, the scent of his aftershave blending with cinnamon and sugar to create a new, deliciously addictive aroma.
Taking a shaky breath, I force a smile onto my face and serve the waiting customer. Then, I return to the counter, the cookies that need decorating, to the life I’ve built without him. But it’s not so easy to push him out of my mind. His presence lingers like a ghost in the bakery, reminding me of everything I tried so hard to forget. My heart’s been down that road, and it ended in tears and a heartbreak I never truly got over.
And as I pick up the frosting bag again, my hands aren’t as steady as before.
The front door creaks as I step into my parent’s home, the scent of my mom’s pot roast wafting through the air. It’s always been comforting, this house filled with warmth and the aroma of slow-cooked dinners.
“Hey, sweetheart!” Mom calls from the kitchen.
I clutch the tin of cookies tighter, the ones I baked as a distraction from the turmoil of seeing Owen again. Dad’s already seated at the table, a newspaper spread out in front of him. His gaze lifts when I enter, and I swear his green eyes hold a tinge of wariness.
“Hi, Dad,” I say, giving him a smile that feels a little tight.
“Sit down, honey,” Mom urges, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “I just pulled the roast out of the oven. I’ll grab us some wine. You look like you’ve had a long day.”
I sink into the chair, the familiar grooves of the old wooden seat fitting me like a well-worn glove. “It’s been… interesting,” I murmur, setting the tin of cookies on the table. Dad glances at it, his brows raising.
“You brought us more treats?” he teases lightly. “Or are you just using us as taste-testers again?”
I laugh softly, the sound a little strained. “Something like that.”
“Everything okay at the bakery?” Mom asks, hertone careful—too careful. “You seem… preoccupied.”
I hesitate, chewing my bottom lip. “Actually, there’s something I need to tell you guys.” I take a deep breath, bracing myself. “Owen came by the bakery today.”
Silence falls, thick and charged. Mom and Dad exchange a glance, something unspoken passing between them. Then, to my surprise, Dad sighs, leaning back in his chair.
“We heard he was back,” he admits quietly. “Small town, you know. Word gets around.”
Of course. Of course they knew. Midnight Falls is like that—a tiny, gossip-fueled place where nothing stays secret for long.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, more curious than angry.
“We weren’t sure how to bring it up,” Mom says softly, reaching over to place a gentle hand on mine. “After everything that happened between you two… We didn’t want to upset you.”
“I’m not upset,” I lie, staring down at her fingers curled around mine. “It’s… strange seeing him again after so long.”
Dad shifts, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. “What did he say?”
“Not much,” I reply, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. “He’s back for good, apparently. Teaching at the high school. Biology.”
Dad snorts softly. “Who would’ve thought?”
“Right?” I murmur, still trying to wrap my head around it. Owen Callahan, Midnight Falls’ newest biology teacher.