Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)

by Liz Tomforde

Your one and only plant is thriving, so you’re welcome for that.” “It’s a succulent, Wren. All you have to do is leave it alone.” She nods approvingly, clearly proud of herself. “Well, I did a great job of that.”

was quick to make friends when I was younger, but that’s not always easy to do as an adult.

I try to look away, but I can’t. I’m too locked in, too focused on the man in front of me who is hardly recognizable from the boy I once knew.

I know what I’m looking for because I had it once, and now the only girl I’ve ever loved is moving into the house next to mine. Again.

No one here knows I’ve been in love before. No one knows that though I had a front-row seat to watch them all find their person over the years, I had found mine long before any of them.

too much bad happened between us in the past for there to be any good between us now.”

My heart is thundering in my chest and if I were braver, I’d ask him what he means. But I’m not. I don’t ask for clarification and instead, decide to overthink that single sentence for the rest of my life.

We’re not friends. We’re just trying not to kill each other. And personally, I’m trying not to rip off his clothes.

“Ariel!” Taylor supplies as she and Max join the other two on the couch. “Absolutely not, Tay.” Rio’s brows are pinched. “Spoiler alert, but she gives up her voice because she thought some random dude was hot. We’re strong independent women here. The only princess movies we’re going to watch are the ones where they realize they don’t need a man.”

“So…” I attempt to keep my tone uninterested, disengaged, casual. “Have you been dating at all?” And apparently, I’m a masochist because I’m asking him to hurt me by telling me all about the women who came after me.

I missed those seemingly insignificant moments, the ones where I look back and realize how important they were to me.

“You shouldn’t be embarrassed to let people know how hard you’re willing to work to get what you want.”

month or two ago now seem inconsequential and unimportant.

I know you love your mom, we all love your mom, but you’re a grown-ass man now, Rio. At a certain point, our parents’ opinions can’t be more important than our own.”

“You were afraid that my own actions would hurt my feelings? Jesus, Hallie. You should hate me, not protect me.”

“Are you sure that’s not just a first-love thing?” “No, baby. It’s a last-love thing.”

Dear God, I’m obsessed with her. How rare to find someone who understands and appreciates you for exactly who you are at each phase of your life. She liked me before anyone else ever did. She saw my potential when I couldn’t. She doesn’t give a shit about my job and that alone is refreshing.

“Your latte is ready.” I find it on the counter. “What’s the art today?” “Well, clearly, that’s a dragon. I’m not sure how you’re not seeing it.” It’s literally a blob of foam in the center of the cup.

thought it was another one of those unspoken things.”