One Year Till Forever

One Year Till Forever

Copyright 2015 Katie Maas

Published by Katie Maas at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

About The Author

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank my family for their support, especially my husband, who listened to my constant ramblings. Plus, I need to acknowledge the many wonderful betas I had. Three of which really stood out and made a massive difference in my work: T.A Hall, Jenna Johanis and Chassy Cheri. Thank you all so much for your opinions and critiques.

Prologue

March

I journey outside my small home into the cool Wisconsin morning. It’s only March and the air cuts through my pajama pants and sweatshirt. After grabbing my mail I shuffle through it and watch my dogs snuffle around the yard.

Good morning, a male voice calls and I turn to wave already knowing who it is. Dan is my neighbor across the street and the deputy of the small town of Redbrook. He’s also been trying to get me to go out with him since he moved here, a little over a year ago.

Hey! I wave and he makes his way over to my fence. His dark hair is cut short and his blue eyes sparkle in the morning light. The brown shirt of his uniform clings to him under his thick regulation jacket and I ponder why in the world the outfit has to be so earthy, with the dirt brown shirt and khaki pants. I mean is it supposed to be reminiscent of camouflage?

I shake off my odd thoughts as Dan asks, how are you this morning?

Rocco hush, I scold my basset who has begun his howling bark. I’m doing fine, how are you?

Oh, I’m pretty good, heading off to work.

Yeah, I have to start getting ready for that as well, I reply nodding and turning to head back inside. I don’t want to dawdle in case he chooses to make it any more uncomfortable.

Well, um, you know my offer to get a drink this Friday still stands, he tells me awkwardly and I regret ever turning to wave.

I know Dan and I appreciate it. I really like you, I do. I just really don’t want to start anything right now. Especially with my neighbor.

I get it. I just thought I’d mention it again in case you changed your mind. I’m going out with Jason, thought you and Anya might want to tag along. He takes my millionth rejection with the same cool indifference he has before.

Well thank you, but I should head in so I’m not late to work, I mumble, hating that he’s pulled Anya into this and knowing I’ll hear about it when I talk to her next.

Of course, have a good day.

You as well. I smile politely. Rocco, Lila come on.

Both dogs continue to watch Dan cross the street and I glance that way as well. He climbs into his red pick-up and I open up my screen door to step back inside.

The dogs finally follow me into my small two bedroom ranch and once I close the door I take a deep breath, leaning my head against the cool wood. Dan’s attractive, not in a take your breath away fashion, but the contrast of his dark brown hair and blue eyes has always struck me. His eyes are always intense and I feel like they’re looking straight through me.

When I finally focus on the mail in my hand I notice the envelope from Jack. I tear it open and take out an invitation. It’s very pretty; made up of cream and sky blue card stock, with a little bow on the top.

A wedding invitation from Jack Turner, you’ve got to be kidding. Jack Turner is my best friend’s older brother. The man I’ve been in love with since I was ten. We were never together, but I idolized him as the perfect specimen. He was the one I always compared men to, the one I always aspired to be with and he was getting married. I set the invitation on my coffee table and it stares at me gloomily. I flip it over and then notice my blinking cell.

My best friend, Nicole, wants to video chat. I reply that I have time and open my laptop on the coffee table, then take a seat on the sofa before I call Nicole on Skype. Nicole and I grew up together in Iowa and we’ve been friends since the fifth grade, but after college she moved to California to work in marine biology and I stayed in Wisconsin to become a conservation officer. I love my little life and I’m happy with the decision, but sometimes it’s hard that she’s so far away.

Hey, she says excitedly, once our screens come up.

Hey, what’s up? I ask.

Did you get it?

What?

The invitation, of course.

Oh from Jack?

Yeah.

Yeah, I agree. I did this morning.

So?

So what?

Are you going?

I don’t know, Nic, I start. I mean I haven’t even talked to him in like three years.

Cali it’s for me not him anyway, pleeeaasssseee? she begs holding her hands together and pouting.

I guess. It’s in mid-May though I’ll have to see if I can get off work, but I do have some vacation time, I concede easily. I do miss seeing her.

I’m so excited! Do you think you could come early so we can spend some time together?

I can try.

Oh thank goodness! Jess isn’t going to be able to come until right before the wedding and I would really love to spend some quality time with you.

Well, when you put it that way I guess I don’t have much choice, I reply sarcastically, but crack a wide grin.

Yay! She claps.

Yeah, yeah. How are you anyway? Feels like I haven’t talked to you in ages.

I’m fine. Jess and I are doing well. You know same old same old.

Ain’t that the truth?

What about you?

Oh you know, nothing exciting happening in Redbrook.

Cali… Nicole scolds.

What?

Did Dan ask you out again?

What? Why? Nicole has always been able to read me like a book.

Because the only time you don’t delve into your perfect little life in Redbrook is after he talks to you.

Ok, yes, I admit, I saw him outside when I was getting the mail.

And?

And nothing, I told him no like I do every time and he shrugged it off like he does every time. We have a very good thing going.

You are so ridiculous! she says exasperatedly, Why can’t you give the poor upstanding deputy a chance?

Because I don’t want to?

Why?

Why does it matter? I ask her heatedly.

Cal, don’t get mad, you know I just want the best for you and I worry that you’re keeping everyone at arm’s length after what happened with—

You don’t have to worry. I have plenty of friends up here, I interrupt quickly. What I really mean is I have one good friend and a few acquaintances.

That’s not what I’m saying and you know it.

Whatever. I have to let you go so I can finish getting ready for work. I know I’m brushing her off, but I don’t feel like being lectured.

Talk to you soon? She sighs.

Of course. I tell her with a tight smile.

Hey Cal?

Yeah?

I really am excited to see you. I’ve missed you, Nicole tells me quietly.

I’ve missed you too Nic, I’ll call you tomorrow.

Bye.

Shutting my computer I’m alone in my house again listening to the clock ticking.

Chapter One

May

Are you on your way?

Yes Nic, I told you I’d be there early in the morning.

It doesn’t sound like you’ve left yet, she comments dryly.

Seriously? I ask her as I haul my bags into my car. Why does it matter if you’re not even going to be awake when I get into town anyway?

I’m just trying to make sure you won’t bail.

And listen to you bitch about how I bailed on you for the rest of my life? Um no.

Nic starts laughing. Good point.

So, I’ll be there tomorrow. I’m driving through the night and I expect to be in early in the morning. It should only take about eight hours.

Good. We’ll spend the whole day together catching up.

Right. I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me.

I’m so happy Cali, you have no idea!

The drive there is an overload of emotion. Time feels like it’s flying by, but the numbers on the dash don’t seem to agree. Once I finally reach Eden I drive through town taking in the sights and realize that not much has changed since I was here last to visit my parents. The old diner still sits on the corner of Main and Maple. The drugstore and hardware shop still stand stoically across the street, looking only a little worse for wear. One thing that’s been added is one of those chain grocery stores and it seems that it put the butcher out of business. Eden’s still surrounded by corn and most of its residents are farmers, but over the years more commuters have started to populate it, causing more sedans to be parked along the streets and a small suburb to go up.

Once the five minute drive through town ends I pull into the little motel at the end of Main Street. Its neon sign is only half lit, but it says vacancy and I can’t imagine the Sunshine Motel has had the NO part illuminated in a long time.

I had thought about staying with my parents or at the bed and breakfast, but I know Mr. and Mrs. Trill have had it hard with the small amount of people that come to stay in Eden. The wedding is in the city about forty-five minutes from our little oasis and I doubt many of the guests are willing to drive that far when there are plenty of places closer.

I pay Mr. Trill for the room and walk over to the green door. The key takes a bit of jiggling, but I get it open and walk into a dark room. It smells of dust, lemon pledge, and the underlying odor of mildew. The seventies theme is loud and obnoxious. The carpet looks like it used to be a gold color, with a maroon design on it, but I’d currently characterize the whole thing as a dingy brown. The heavy curtains on the window are baby blue and I pull them open to shed some light on my situation. A queen bed is in the center of it all, with a baby blue bedspread that matches the curtains and four white pillows sitting on the top. A large backed TV sits on the dresser across from it. I set my things on the small table underneath the only window and take a look in the bathroom. It’s small and grubby, but it looks fairly passable and there is a scent of bleach wafting out of it. This is what I’ll be calling home for the upcoming days.

I text Nicole and we agree to meet at the town’s only diner in ten minutes.

Walking into the bathroom I turn on the cold water, knowing it’s going to be a long day running on no sleep. The cold water jolts me alert as I splash it on my face and I stare into the mirror assessing myself for a moment. My brown eyes look dull and the bags underneath them don’t help. My long brown hair is pulled up into a ponytail. I look plain and boring, but I try not to dwell on it. Quickly changing into a clean shirt and walking out into the morning. Dew still sits on the blades of grass and the sun has just begun to warm the Earth. A cool breeze tickles the back of my neck only adding to my excitement of seeing Nicole. Since she moved to California our relationship has been strained. Even for best friends long distance relationships are rough. I approach the fifties themed diner and see Nicole pull up in her old red Jeep, she blares the horn and waves vigorously.

Wow, quite the greeting! I exclaim as I walk over and hug her.

Well I’ve missed you and I have something to tell you.

What?

She flashes a large diamond ring on her left hand.

OHMYGOD! I exclaim grasping her hand and studying the ring.

I know right?

When did this happen?

About a month ago I wanted to tell you so bad, but since I knew we’d see each other soon, I decided in person would be better.

I’m so happy for you Nicki. I wrap her up in my arms and give her a tight squeeze. She deserves this; she deserves to be happy with a great guy.

Now we just have to find you one. She giggles, pulling back from our embrace.

Sure, yeah, uh huh. I look at her skeptically. Nicole has never known about my secret obsession with Jack, so she has no idea that the fact that I’m here for his wedding has me heartbroken already.

We walk into the diner and take our usual booth in back.

Seriously though, Jack has a lot of hot friends coming into town, you never know what might happen.

What do you mean?

Well I know for a fact Ty’s going to be here. Nicole looks at me slyly.

And how do you know that? Ty was one of my good friends in high school, but since he didn’t go to college with Nic and I we haven’t kept in touch very well.

He’s Jack’s best man; in fact he should be here today. It shouldn’t surprise me that he’s best man. Jack and Ty roomed together in college.

And why would this information matter to me?

Because he’s been in love with you for forever.

I doubt he still is. I shake my head at her and begin fiddling with the paper placemat on the table.

I wouldn’t be so sure. He specifically asked if you were coming. She lifts her eyebrows and smirks.

Our waitress comes over; she’s a young brunette with beautiful bright blue eyes. She gives us a giant smile as she asks for our orders while filling our mugs with coffee. Once we’ve given her our choices she moves away swiftly and I start reminiscing about this old place. The red and chrome counter with matching booths still holds the glass pie case, where the regulars sit and drink their coffee before the work day begins. The old jukebox that wasn’t working at the time I lived in town is still collecting dust on the white and black checkered floor. I worked here for a short time as a waitress in high school. At the time I thought it was terrible and incredibly embarrassing, but now I realize how much fun it really had been.

Well whatever, it doesn’t matter because I don’t see him that way, I explain as I snap back to the conversation at hand.

I watch Nicole finish doctoring her coffee before she replies, you haven’t tried to.

I shouldn’t have to though Nic that’s the thing, it should happen organically, like you and Jess. No one shoved you at each other, I argue with a sigh.

I guess you’re right, but I didn’t see him that way at first either, I thought he was obnoxious.

You didn’t tell me that!

Don’t you remember me telling you about the super obnoxious restaurant owner I had met? Nicole asks me incredulously, as if I’m supposed to remember every conversation we’ve ever had.

Yeah.

Well that was Jess, she states simply.

Really? Oh my goodness I never put two and two together.

Yeah, if you would have told me after I first met him that I’d be engaged to him, I would have ended our friendship then and there. But I tried it, I didn’t let appearances get in the way and look at me now. She smiles and looks down at the ring perched on her finger.

I understand what you’re saying but it’s just not the same: you didn’t have a friendship on the line with Jess, I have that with Ty and I don’t know if I’m willing to give that up for something I really don’t think will work.

The young brunette sets down our plates in front of us, Is there anything else I can get for you?

No, I don’t think so, thank you, I reply politely.

The girl nods and smiles. Well, let me know if there is. Enjoy. She walks away and Ty slides into the booth next to Nicole.

Good morning ladies, he greets us and then turns to me. How have you been Cali girl?

I’ve been good Ty. How about you? I heard your law firm is doing well. That’s the beauty of our friendship; it’s simplicity. I haven’t talked to him in about three months, but it doesn’t matter, we pick right back up where we left off.

It is thank you for asking, we’re really picking up steam, so we’ve been pretty busy, but I shouldn’t complain we could have flopped.

Too true, I’m glad you guys are doing so well. I look over at Nicole and see her eyeing us. I smile slightly and pick up my cup.

And you my lovely Nicole how are you? Ty asks finally looking at her.

I’ve been good, really good actually. She beams.

Jess is treating you well? I study Ty while they talk. He’s about six foot with dark blonde hair and green grey eyes. His smile is always genuine and handsome. Tyler’s jaw is square and he has a nice build, a little more on the lanky side, but still powerful looking. I’ll never deny I’m attracted to him. I doubt there are many women who wouldn’t call him handsome, but trying to imagine myself wrapped up in his arms is impossible for me.

Of course. She smiles and gives me a look. I nod back.

What’s all this? He waves in between us snapping me back to their conversation. Don’t keep me out of the secret. I’ve known you two too long for that.

We’re engaged! Nicole whispers while excitedly showing Ty her ring.

Ty whistles and then grins at her. Oh Nic that’s great. I’m so happy for you guys.

Thanks, she replies smiling from ear to ear.

"Well not to cut this reunion