Lacuna (Book two to Attraction)

14.

After applying for multiple jobs around town, I finally ended up getting a job at a women's clothing boutique downtown Forks. The pay is nice and we get paid every Friday so I love that, my co-workers are all very sweet too. I'm mainly on the floor organizing things and cleaning out the fitting rooms, but it's an easy gig and it keeps money in my bank account so I can't complain.

I've been here since ten AM but I get off in about an hour at four PM so I'm glad about that. I need to run by the grocery store and pick up a couple of things for dinner for Paul and I tonight. After I finish the last of my work and clean out the last bit of clothes from the dressing room, four rolls around the corner and I clock out of work.

Once I arrive at the local grocery store, I walk around for a couple of minutes gathering things in my shopping cart. After I grab what we need for dinner tonight, I make my way to the fruit and vegetables as I grab a carton of strawberries and blueberries, they're two of my favorite fruits.
I suddenly look up to see a pair of blue eyes on me, I almost gasp. It's Fallon... Her shopping cart in right in front of mine.

She looks shocked to see me, her eyes are wide and she looks almost embarrassed right now as her cheeks turn pink. I can't believe I am running into her of all people, it's been about a year since I last saw her.

"Willow..." She softly speaks. "How- How are you?"

I am shocked to hear her even ask me how I am doing given the last thing she ever said to me was that she hopes I get into a car crash and die.

"Oh, um, I'm good... Thanks. How are you?" I ask awkwardly.

"I'm doing a lot better. I'm sober now... Actually." She says clearing her throat.

"Oh.." I say. "That's good."

This is beyond awkward.

"So, how are things? Are you and Paul still together?" She asks curiously, she looks almost eager to hear about him.

"Yeah, we're still together." I tell her.

"Oh... That's good. I'm happy for you guys." She responds, but she doesn't sound like she's being fake.

I try my best to give her a small smile.

"Thanks." I mumble quietly.

"Listen.. I'm really sorry about the last time you saw me. I was really mean to you both times we met actually..." She speaks softly. Her words shock me.

"Oh.. umm, don't worry about it..." I try to respond coolly.

"No, it was really awful of me to say those things to you. I'm actually engaged now, and I've always felt really bad about what I said to you." She says showing me the giant rock on her finger. It's big beautiful diamond.

"Oh, wow, congratulations." I tell her, I give her a genuine smile this time.

"Thank you." She says smiling at me softly.

A tall slender man with light brown hair and blue eyes approaches her shopping cart. He's holding a bag of peaches in one hand and a bag of carrots in the other.

"Hey, babe." He says, he has a thick Australian accent. He smiles at her as he sets the items in the shopping cart. "I finally found the carrots."

His eyes glance over to me before he gives me a friendly smile.

"Who's this?" He asks Fallon.

"This is Willow, I used to know her a long time ago." She speaks quietly.

The man sticks her hand out for me to shake.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Ashton, Fallon's fiancé." He says introducing himself.