Free Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series by Heather D'Agostino

I hadn’t really been back too much, and most of my school friends had moved on to bigger things. Very few people stayed to become townies. She rolled her eyes as she swatted me with the order pad. “Carrie.”
    “Carrie,” I mumbled slowly before the light bulb came on in my fogged up head. “Caroline Peters.” The light bulb went off and I smiled as I let my eyes scan her form. She was a skinny thing back in school, but time had been good to her.
    “You haven’t changed a bit,” she groaned as she rolled her eyes. “What are you doing back here?”
    “Came to visit my brothers,” I picked up the menu in front of me and pretended to read it. “What do you recommend?”
    “Now there’s a loaded a question,” she giggled as she stared at us. “You two still together?” She pointed her finger between Mia and me.
    “Hardly,” Mia rolled eyes before going back to sipping her coffee.
    “Oh,” Carrie’s mouth formed a little o shape before I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. My head turned toward it before I saw her grin. “Guess who this is?” She motioned at Mia and me as she smiled at the face that looked familiar but I couldn’t place.
    “Tyler Cook,” the deep voice chuckled. “You don’t know who I am do ya?” I stared at him a few more beats before Mia sighed, bringing my attention back to her. “Mike Clark.” He puffed out his chest.
    “Holy shit!” I laughed as I leaned back. “Did you know that?” I stared at Mia.
    “Yeah,” she mumbled as she looked out the window. “I’ve been in here already a few times.”
    “Well,” Mike lifted his hand in a wave, “I’ll let you guys get back to your meal.” He walked off leaving us there as he swatted Carrie on the ass.
    “You two seem comfy,” I mused as she giggled.
    “We should,” she grinned. “He’s been my husband for the last three years.”
    “No shit,” my eyes widened.
    “Yep,” she nodded quickly. “I know you two didn’t get along back in the day, but he’s a nice guy.” Her eyes went all soft as she glanced back at where Mike had disappeared. “So, you ready to order?”
    I nodded before sliding the menu in her direction. “I’ll take a short stack and a coffee, black.”
    “Coming right up,” she grinned. “Did you want anything other than the coffee?” She tipped her head in Mia’s direction.
    “I’m fine, thanks,” Mia offered her a smile before turning back to the window.
    After Carrie left to place our order, I reached across the table and touched Mia’s arm to grab her attention. “What’s going on with you?”
    “I’m stuck here for four more weeks, and then I have therapy before I can dance. What do you think is going on?” she snapped as she released a deep breath and collapsed against the back of the booth.
    “I’m sorry.” I knew my words probably didn’t mean shit to her, but I did feel bad. I knew that dancing was as much a part of Mia’s life as breathing. She lived in the studio, and I’d never seen her look so lost.
    “Whatever,” she muttered. “It’s not like you care.”
    My head snapped back. “I do care,” I scoffed. “I’ve always cared. You walked away from me,” I pointed at my chest. “Remember? You left to dance. I was the one sitting in our apartment trying to figure out my next move. You pulled the rug out from under me with nothing but a ‘sorry’.”
    Her face reddened as her eyes welled up. I couldn’t tell if she was upset over what happened, or over the fact that I brought it up. “Listen.” I grabbed her hand, and when she tried to pull away from me, I tightened my grip. “I don’t care anymore why you did it. I know you had your reasons. I know it was a chance of a lifetime. We were kids. I’d like to think that we’ve grown since then.” I smiled at her as my eyes roamed her face. It was blank, and for the life of me I couldn’t get a read on her. “I’d like to try and be friends. You remember what that was like,