It has a big silly smile spreading across my face.

As we enter the diner, that’s full of busy chatter, it quickly begins to quiet when people look up to see who entered. Within seconds it falls to dead silence as everyone stares at us.

No, me. They’re all staring at me.

The smile that was gracing my face moments ago vanishes and my heart thumps nervously in my chest. “Everyone is staring,” I whisper to Grayson under my breath, my eyes reluctantly taking in everyone’s sympathetic gaze.

“Of course they are. You’re beautiful.”

My eyes meet his, and I see him watching me, his expression genuine. Those words mean everything to me, especially coming from him, but I also wonder how he could think that after seeing me the way he did.

He leans down, bringing his mouth close to my ear. “It’s okay. I’ve got you, Liv.”

My heart rate slows and confidence resides at his kind words.

I can do this. I have nothing to be ashamed of.

“Olivia!” The gasp comes from Gwen, the owner of the diner, as she walks out of the kitchen with her hands full. She puts two plates of food down on the counter and rushes over to me, embracing me in her arms. “It’s so good to see you, sweetheart.”

My throat grows tight at the sincerity of her voice. “Thank you. It’s good to see you, too.”

She steps back and cradles my face in her hands, her eyes turning glassy from unshed tears. “I’m so sorry, honey.” Her tone drops to a whisper, trying to be discreet.

“I know you are, but don’t be. I’m going to be just fine. Pap is taking real good care of me, like always.” I give her the best smile I can muster, hoping to reassure her that I mean it.

She returns the gesture but it’s a wobbly smile. “I’m sure he is and it looks like our boy Grayson is, too,” she adds, glancing up at Grayson.

“You know it. Liv is in good hands.” He winks down at her like the charmer he is.

Gwen chuckles, the heavy moment now broken thanks to Grayson. “You two go on and take a seat. I’ll be right over to take y’all’s order.” She turns to me one last time, cupping my face in her hands again. “I’m glad you came in, honey.”

“Me, too,” I admit quietly.

“Come on, there’s a table right over here,” Grayson murmurs, as his hand settles on my lower back to guide me.

The diner remains silent as we make our way to the empty table.

“Good to see you, Miss Olivia,” Mr. Robins, an elderly gentleman and long-time citizen of Harmony Falls says as we walk past.

“You, too,” I reply with a smile.

Every table we pass is filled with people we know. They all greet me the same way and shake Grayson’s hand. As we settle into our booth other people get up from their tables and walk over. Some give my shoulder a gentle squeeze while others ask how I’m doing. It’s overwhelming but in a good way. In a way that makes me realize how many people care about me, and just how much this has affected them, too.

Eventually, Gwen comes over and shoos everyone away. Busy chatter resumes as she takes our order. Once she walks away, I glance up at Grayson to see him watching me with a knowing grin.

“I know, I know. Don’t say it, you told me so.” I roll my eyes, knowing what that smirk on his face is about.

“Actually, I was thinking it turns out I’m not the only one affected by you, Olivia Bradshaw.”

I duck my head, trying to hide the smile that wants to break free. “You have a way with words, Grayson Taylor,” I comment, throwing his whole name back at him.

“Maybe, but I always speak the truth.”

At his serious tone, my gaze meets his again. His smile is gone and his expression earnest. I nod. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.” I have a feeling Grayson might just be the most honest man I’ve ever met, next to Pap of course.

His gaze moves to something behind me and in an instant his dark blue eyes turn cold. I swear the room drops in temperature.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, before turning to look behind me.

Uh oh.

Clint sits a few booths down from us, his glare as icy as Grayson’s as he stares at us. I recognize the woman he’s with from the town office. Pam, I think her name is. She moved here only a few years ago. Clint has tried to see me twice since the attack, once in the hospital and the other at the farm when I got home. I didn’t want to see him either time and Pap was all too happy to turn him away. I kind of regret that now, and wish I had gotten it over with. I know he probably just wanted to check on me and make sure I was okay, but we had a horrible argument during our last encounter, and I just wasn’t ready to face him. I was too tired, I still am.

He looks away, thankfully dismissing me and returning to his conversation again with his lunch companion. Turning around, I bring my attention back to Grayson and see him watching me with an expression I can’t decipher.

“All right, here y’all are. Can I get you anything else?” Gwen asks as she places our orders in front of us, breaking the awkward moment.

I shake my head. “No, thank you.”

“I’m good, too. Thanks, Gwen, it smells great.” Grayson compliments her.

“You’re welcome, sugar, just holler if y’all need anything.” After giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze, she leaves us with our meals.

Comfortable silence settles over us as we dig in but Grayson breaks it a moment later. “Have you started any of your books?”

A smile touches my lips, happy for the light topic. “Actually, I finished the last one late last night.”

“You’ve read them all?” he asks in disbelief.

I giggle. “Yes, all of them. I’m a fast reader and they were wonderful, but I didn’t expect anything less. I love all the authors you brought me.”

“Who’s your favorite?”

“Out of the books you gave me or in the world?”

He grins, amused by the question. “In the world.”

“Oh, heck. I’m not sure I can answer that,” I reply seriously. “I have so many, it’s impossible to pick one. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice will always be a top favorite. Oh, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Those are both classics, but I also love newer stuff, like Colleen Hoover. She’s from Texas, you know,” I tell him excitedly. “Only a few hours from here. Her books are wonderful, and I love everything she pens. Then there’s…” I trail off, realizing I’m rambling. “Sorry, I can get carried away.”

A chuckle escapes him. “Don’t be, I asked.”

“Well, lesson learned, never talk books with me if you don’t want me to bore you to death.”

“Nothing you say could ever bore me, Liv,” he says, his low tone drifting over my skin like smooth silk.

“Oh believe me, it can. Give me an hour and I can probably put you to sleep. Just ask my students,” I joke, but quickly sober when I realize what I just said. “Well, my old students,” I add quietly, my heart sinking at the thought.

He scowls. “I know about what happened with the school that day.”

“You do?” I ask in surprise.

“Yeah, I found out when I questioned the principal, and I let her have it. It’s bullshit, Liv, and when you’re better you should fight it. What the school board did is illegal.”

I was determined to do just that, but now, after what happened…maybe they were right after all? Not about why I was let go, but that I don’t belong there. So many of my students were angry with me.

Before I can voice my thoughts, I hear the bell jingle over the door as someone enters. My smile returns when I see it’s Fletcher Green.

He pauses at the door, glancing around the diner hesitantly. I quickly realize the entire place has fallen silent again. When I look around I see everyone’s eyes on him, not looking very friendly. Grayson turns to see who came in, and I hear him curse under his breath.

What the heck is going on?

Fletcher’s gaze lands on me and his eyes widen in surprise before a kind smile takes over his face. “Miss Olivia.” He begins to walk over to me but Mr. Hawkins stands and intercepts him, shaking his head. Then Mr. Thorp does the same thing, standing next to him along with Mr. Mayson.