Page 2 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

I slam the hatch of my truck shut, locking in the last of my boxes. For the first time in my life, I’m leaving Bluemoon, the small town I’ve called home since the day I was born. I never really thought I’d leave, let alone go to college, but when the opportunity came, I couldn’t say no.

My parents always encouraged me to dream bigger, to reach further. Culinary school had always felt like a far-off fantasy, but somehow, that fantasy became a reality. And once it did, I knew I had to grab it with both hands.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see something new.

Honestly, I thought I’d end up like most people around here: fall into a job, settle into a rhythm, and stay.

That’s how things go in Bluemoon. It’s a town full of good people doing honest work.

Life here is simple, and for the most part, it works, but I thought Blossom and I would be different.

I’ve loved Blossom for as long as I can remember, but our lives shifted when her dad died unexpectedly.

Even though we were both just kids, the world made us grow up in a hurry.

She did the best she could to adapt, to remain strong, and I did everything I could to be there for her, even when she likely would’ve liked to be left alone.

We’d been friends for so long, I don’t think our families fully realized how much we cared for each other.

Or maybe they took comfort in deniability because they never forced our hand, instead just falling back on ‘they’re best friends’ whenever it came up.

But even if we never officially labeled our relationship, given we were always together, and our plans to always be together was no secret, defining ourselves as a romantic couple shouldn’t have been needed.

It just was.

When I was accepted into Gourmet Academy Culinary School, it felt natural that Blossom and I decided we’d go together to Seattle when I began classes.

Blossom wasn’t going to attend college, but she took note of the many boutiques on the main strip in the city and, since she grew up working in her family’s boutique clothing store, she felt like it would be a perfect fit for her.

But then, just two short weeks before we were to leave, she said she couldn’t go with me.

She blamed it on needing to be there for her mom and sister, saying they needed her to stay and work in their family store.

Her older sister and brother moved away, so I understood her wanting to stay and help, but I told her it was fear holding her back from starting a new life.

She promised we could try to make a real relationship work, even if it was long distance, and I had no other choice but to believe her.

“Do you have everything?” My mom stands beside me while my dad finishes tying down the mini fridge I’m bringing with me.

“I think so. And if I forget anything, Seattle has stores, Mom.”

She nudges me. “I know, but it’s a big city. How will you know where to find things? ”

I chuckle. “Every city has a Walmart. I’ll be perfectly fine.”

Dad comes around the truck and puts his arm around Mom. “It’s time to cut the strings, Maggie. He’s going to be just fine.”

“I wish Blossom was going with you. I hate that you’re going to be alone.”

Dad shakes his head as he responds sharply, “Being alone is the best thing for him.”

Dad was adamant about me going to Seattle alone.

He said I needed to see the world and not get stuck in our little town.

The thing is, I love it here in Bluemoon and could be perfectly happy working as a chef here, building a life with Blossom, not leaving my own family.

But once that acceptance letter came, he pushed me to take it and told me over and over, “Don’t get locked into something you’ll regret. ”

I get what he means, and I wouldn’t want to regret saying no because of teenage love, but I’ve never regretted a single moment with Blossom.

“Hi, Mrs. and Mr. Hayes.”

I turn toward her voice as my mom greets her pleasantly. “Oh hi, honey. Henry, come on inside with me. Let’s make sure Bennett doesn't forget anything and give them some privacy.”

My mom gives me a hug and my dad claps me on the shoulder with a bit more force than usual. “Just come inside before you leave, and don’t be long, okay?”

I nod as they walk back into the house, my eyes focused on Blossom, who is as gorgeous as ever in her white sundress with yellow flowers. Her long dark hair blows freely in the breeze and the cowboy boots she wears everywhere are on her feet. “Well hey, Peach.”

“How are you feeling?” she asks me with a small smile. I know she loves my nickname for her, even if she doesn't quite fully understand why I call her that.

I shrug. “I feel good, I guess. I’m excited, but it’s also a little weird, too. I’ve never driven more than twenty miles outside of town.”

Her eyes widen. “You won’t get lost, will you?”

Stepping closer to her, I reach for her hand. “No, I won't get lost. I programmed the school into the maps on my phone. I’ll be fine.”

Gripping my hand in her own, she lets me pull her in close. She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head against my chest, her five-foot-four frame fitting perfectly against my six-foot-one body. I inhale the scent of her shampoo, trying to memorize it as she murmurs, “So this is it, huh?”

We rock slowly, and I lower my head, so my face is near her ear. “Nothing is it . We’re going to make this long-distance thing work. It’s only for a short time and think of all the years we have ahead with each other.”

She squeezes me tighter then pulls back slightly. “Let’s just work on getting used to not being a window away from each other before we put a status on it.”

She smiles but her eyes are slightly glassy as she whispers, “Don’t forget about me.”

I frown, wanting to wrap myself around her and keep her with me. I know the miles between us is going to be difficult, but I have to trust in our relationship, in our love for each other. “Never. I’ll be home in a few months for Christmas.”

“Will you?”

I tap her hip as she looks up at me. “Of course I will.”

She nods. “Promise?”

I smile. “I promise. Mom will have my head if I don’t come back.”

She laughs. “She absolutely will. And I’ll be second in line.”

“It’s not too late to come with me. ”

She shakes her head and steps away, looking over my shoulder and at my house. The loss of her touch feels so sharp. “No. You need to go, Bennett. You deserve to see what’s out there. Just don’t get too fancy and become a chef in the big city. The little people need to eat too.”

I laugh and roll my eyes. “Who knows? I may flunk out and end up working in a fast-food restaurant.”

“You’re going to do great.”

The alarm on my phone goes off and I reach for it, turning it off before sliding it back in my pocket. “If I don't leave now, I’ll hit a lot of traffic.”

She nods. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you more.”

She’s doing her best to put on a brave face, but her eyes are sad. I’ve always been able to read her but something about today feels different. It feels like the end to something that never even had the chance to grow.

She takes two steps back, pauses, then throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I catch her, squeezing tight and choking back tears. But as fast as I do, she’s pulling away again, turning her back on me and walking away.

All I can do is let her.