Chapter 2 Two

Two weeks later, I found myself gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The road ahead stretched endlessly, lined with trees that had begun to turn shades of amber and gold. Autumn had always been my favorite season, but today, the beauty of it did little to soothe the storm inside me.

Returning to Willow Creek felt surreal. The town I had once called home had become a place I never thought I'd see again. But here I was, driving past familiar landmarks, each one tugging at memories I wasn't ready to face.

The coffee shop where Lucas and I used to spend lazy Sunday mornings.

The bookstore where we got caught in the rain on our first date.

The park where he kissed me for the first time.

I forced myself to focus on the present, on the reason I was here. Emma's wedding. That's all this is. A weekend, then I'm gone.

My fingers tightened around the wheel as I pulled into my parents' driveway. The house looked the same-warm, welcoming, a place filled with childhood memories. But stepping inside felt different, like I was visiting someone else's past.

Before I could knock, the door swung open, and Emma launched herself at me.

"Oh my God, you actually came!" she squealed, squeezing me so tightly I could barely breathe. "I was mentally preparing a dramatic guilt trip in case you backed out."

I let out a breathless laugh. "You really think I'd miss my little sister's wedding?"

Emma pulled back, her hazel eyes-so much like mine-searching my face. "Honestly? I wasn't sure."

Neither was I.

She grinned, tugging me inside. "Come on, Mom and Dad are dying to see you. And I need you to meet the bridal party."

I followed her into the house, bracing myself for the inevitable flood of relatives and old acquaintances. My parents greeted me with warm hugs, acting as if I hadn't vanished from town for three years. The house smelled like cinnamon and fresh bread, and for a moment, it felt like I had never left.

But then Emma dragged me toward the backyard, and the illusion shattered.

Because standing there, drink in hand, dressed in a crisp white button-down with his sleeves rolled up, was Lucas Montgomery.

His gaze met mine instantly, as if he had sensed my presence before even seeing me. His expression was unreadable, but his posture stiffened slightly.

I had prepared myself for this moment, convinced myself I was ready.

I wasn't.

Emma, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air, beamed. "You remember Lucas, don't you?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a neutral smile. "Of course."

Lucas's lips curved into something resembling a smirk, but there was something else in his eyes-something careful. "Claire."

The way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine.

I nodded once. "Lucas."

The past had finally caught up with me.

And I had no idea what was coming next.

---

If awkward tension could kill, I'd be a ghost right now.

Lucas and I stood there, locked in some silent battle neither of us had agreed to, while Emma chatted away, completely oblivious. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses from the party around us felt distant, muffled by the roaring in my ears.

I hadn't seen him in three years. And now, here he was, standing just a few feet away, looking both impossibly familiar and like a stranger at the same time.

"So," Emma said, breaking the silence, "since you already know Lucas, I don't have to introduce you." She grinned, nudging my arm. "Which is perfect, because you'll be seeing a lot of him this weekend."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Lucas lifted his drink to his lips, watching me with quiet amusement. "I'm the best man."

My stomach dropped. "You're what?"

Emma gave me an exasperated look. "Claire, Andrew and Lucas are best friends. Who else would he pick?"

Of course. I had known that, but a part of me had hoped Lucas would be too busy, too distant, too something to be involved.

Apparently, the universe wasn't feeling generous.

"Since you're the maid of honor," Emma continued, still oblivious to the silent war happening between me and my ex-husband, "you two are going to be spending a lot of time together."

I stiffened. Lucas smirked.

Fantastic.

Emma suddenly gasped. "Oh! I have to introduce you to Andrew's sister. She's inside-be right back!" And just like that, she disappeared into the house, leaving me alone with the one person I wasn't ready to face.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched between us, thick with memories and things left unsaid.

Then Lucas tilted his head slightly, his eyes flickering over me. "So. Maid of honor."

I crossed my arms. "Best man."

His lips twitched. "Guess that means we'll be partners this weekend."

I exhaled sharply, keeping my voice even. "We don't have to make it a thing."

"Make what a thing?"

"This," I gestured vaguely between us. "The past. Whatever this is. We're here for Emma and Andrew, so let's just get through the wedding and be done with it."

Lucas hummed as if considering my words. Then, with that same unreadable smirk, he said, "Sure. No problem."

Something about his easy agreement made me suspicious, but before I could question it, Emma returned, dragging a blonde woman behind her.

"Claire, this is Isabelle, Andrew's sister," she said, beaming. "And Izzy, this is my sister, Claire."

I turned to Isabelle with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you."

She returned the smile, but there was something in her expression-something sharp, assessing. "So you're Claire," she mused, tilting her head slightly. "I've heard a lot about you."

I tensed. "Have you?"

Her gaze flickered ever so briefly to Lucas before she shrugged. "Small town. People talk."

I felt Lucas shift beside me, but I didn't look at him. Instead, I kept my expression carefully neutral. "Well, I hope they had good things to say."

Isabelle smiled, but there was something in her eyes that made my stomach twist.

"I guess we'll find out."

I had a feeling this weekend was going to be a lot more complicated than I'd anticipated.

And somehow, I knew Lucas Montgomery would be at the center of it all.