𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆 | ✔

11 | I'm Fine

AFTER STRAIGHTENING the covers and fluffing the pillows, as she did every morning, Lottie stood back, looking it over, then gave a small smile. Before turning, though, she stared down at the left of her twin-sized bed.

It was where Joseph had slept.

I'm only twenty-one, so I shouldn't be focusing on relationships. I've got my life ahead of me.

"Well," Lottie said, "I just wish we hadn't kissed, Joseph... You weren't my first, but you just might be my last."

It had been a week since Joseph spent the night. Since then, he hadn't tried reaching out. Even if he did, though, she would have avoided him if possible. Though she understood his reasoning, she had yet to accept it for how things were.

Joseph was her first true love, after all.

With a quick wipe of an eye, she left the room in search of her coat. Winter was still around the corner, each day getting colder, and oftentimes she'd be freezing in mid-summer.

After shrugging it on, she found her purse, then opened the door and lingered.

Just get through work and relax.

Then, with a huff, she trudged down the porch steps when she stopped. After peering in the direction of the tall-standing bushes, blocking view of her neighbor's yard, she bowed her head and began around them.

At least today she was early.

Her feet patted against the stoned path. At the front door, she raised a hand, paused, then gave several firm knocks.

The curtains drew back, revealing a face pressed against the glass: Penny. A moment passed. In a beat, they had been snapped shut, then incoherent mumbling could be heard.

The door opened.

"Hey, uh, how are you?"

In the doorway stood her neighbor, leaned against the frame. Her grey eyes flickered. "What are you doing here?"

Lottie drew her lips tight. "I just thought I'd check in. We haven't talked since last week and haven't seen you since."

"Well, you made it pretty clear that you had better things to do, Charlotte." She narrowed her gaze. "Did something happen?"

"No, uh-" Then Lottie stiffened. "Why are you always so suspicious? Eliott left that hotel a while ago and he won't be back. Thing's are just fine now."

Penny, slow and steady, dropped a look to her hand. "You've still got my bracelet and I often see you fidgeting with it. Until you stop, I don't trust you."

Lottie gave her a double-take.

"Maybe it's not about Eliott, but it's about something."

Lottie sighed but straightened. "Here," she said, slipping off the leathered bracelet, "take it-"

"No."

"I don't need it anymore." When she still didn't accept, Lottie wrapped it with her palm. "It was your daughter's, I get that, which is why you need to take it back. It doesn't belong to me, okay? Please, will you take it back?"

"Until things are really fine, you need it more than I. It's what Sylvia would've wanted."

"You're stubborn, you know that?"

"I pride myself on that, so thank you." Penny smiled, bowing her head. "You're pretty stubborn, as well."

Lottie laughed, despite herself. "You'll get this back, don't worry."