Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)

by Liz Tomforde

“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.”

My heart flutters like it used to before I remember everything that happened. Because I may have loved Rio DeLuca once, but I don’t anymore.

“I pick a song when something cool or important happens so I can remember it. Then when I want to relive a moment, I rewind it back and start the song from the beginning.”

She used to steal all my thoughts. She used to occupy my entire existence. I almost forgot what that felt like. I’ve spent six years subconsciously comparing every date to her. Comparing their laugh to hers. Their kindness to hers. Their confidence to hers. Their taste in music to hers.

That thing I’ve been looking for since I moved to Chicago? That connection? That one person some search their entire lives to find? I had already found her when I was twelve years old. At least, I thought I had. 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.

“The guy you were with tonight.” I slowly shift back to face her. “Who was he?” The set in her jaw is evident even from here. “Not your job to worry about.” Nodding, I turn back to my house, hands casually tucked in my pockets as I continue to walk. With my back to her, I make sure my words are loud enough for her to hear them. “Lose him.”

“Well, maybe that was the first time you were told, but I know for a fact it wasn’t the first time someone liked you.”

Rio is still standing there, hands in his pockets, wide stance as he faces my door, looking at it as if he can see me through it. But he can’t, so I indulge in checking him out without the consequences of getting caught.

Because we’re friends. I could laugh at the thought. We’re not friends. We’re just trying not to kill each other. And personally, I’m trying not to rip off his clothes.

Rio is standing there, beanie pulled down over his ears, joggers cinching at his ankles, right above his bare feet. But that’s not what has my mouth hanging open. It’s the fully unbuttoned flannel cuffed around his elbows that he’s wearing without another shirt underneath. Like a hot lumberjack.

“Well…” I stumble. “Are you sure you’re ready for this meeting? Do you want to, I don’t know, put a shirt on?” His playful smirk lifts way too fast. “Nothing you haven’t seen before, Hart.”

“And the latte art?” he asks. “That’s perfect too, huh?” There’s literally no art. It’s just a couple of white blobs of foam randomly scattered across the top. “What exactly is it?” He scoffs. “It’s a swan, Hal. Obviously.”

“Focus, Hart.” He doesn’t look at me as he says it. “Have I told you that you’re infuriating, DeLuca?”

“I’m going to do it!” His tipsy grin is way too big. “I’m going to go ask for her number.” “Hey, Rook?” He looks my way, so stupidly excited. “Yeah?” “Sit the fuck down.” “Yep.”

“Yeah, well you’re not his, so tell him to keep his hands to himself too.” Her eyes drop to my mouth. “I’m not yours either.” We’ll see.

“You sure look good in my shirt for not being mine.” “Get fucked, DeLuca.” I smile as I open the door. “Would love to. You just let me know when and where, Hart.”

She smiles down at me softly. “It was the first time I realized that you may feel the same way about me as I’ve always felt about you.”

“And she’s holding back a smile, people,” my dad announces. I roll my eyes. “I gotta go.” “Tell Rio I said hello. Love you, Hallie girl.” “Love you too, Dad.”

“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.

“Hallie Hart!” he calls at my back. “Shh.” I hold a finger up to my lips. “There’s a movie on.” “You’re going to give me high blood pressure, woman. How long are going to make me dwell on that question before you finally give me the answer?”

“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispers a few moments later. “I’m sorry for stealing your Saturday night.” “No, you’re not.” I peek at him out of the corner of my eye, and his smile turns so proud. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m not sorry at all.”

“You single, Hal?” I finally give him the long-awaited answer, nodding to tell him yes. “Good.” He takes a slow predatorial step towards me, tone sharp and leaving no room for question. “Because we aren’t fucking friends.”

I never said you had to miss your deadline. Get on a plane and meet me. You’re out of your mind. Trust me, Hallie. For the first time in about six years, I’m thinking perfectly clearly.

“That’s the one,” I decide. “Rio—” “Hal, I don’t really know what the hell I’m looking at here, but you do. And you know I’ve always loved your style, so this really isn’t all that hard of a decision. If you want that one, then I do too.” “Rio,” she sighs. I prepare myself for her to tell me something to the effect of “stop designing your house with me in mind” or “stop trying to dig up old memories.” But what she says instead is, “This could’ve been an email.”

“Are you out of your mind? Just because I need you to be mine before I fuck you doesn’t mean I don’t want to cuddle.” He tucks one arm under me, allowing me to use his bicep as a pillow, while the other one curls around my middle, his hand slipped under my sweatshirt and his palm pressed against my skin. “But I call little spoon next time.”

“I understand why you’re hesitant or uninterested,” he whispers. “I’m not going to push you to want me. But I am going to be here, waiting, if you ever decide you want to try again. I’m not going anywhere this time.”

“My dad didn’t believe you were here,” Hallie states. “Said he wanted proof.” “I’m here.” Mr. Hart rolls his eyes playfully. “About damn time.” I chuckle. “Yeah. I deserve that.”

“I love that dress on you, baby.” “Thank you. It’s⁠—” “Take it off.” My lips part of their own accord because, wow, I like this version of him.

“I’ve got to go. I have to tell her.” “Hell yeah, you do!” Miller cheers. “Good luck!” Kennedy chimes in. Stevie holds a hand over her heart. “They grow up so fast.” Lastly, I look to Indy, who is fucking crying…again. “Ind, really?” “I’m not crying! I’m fine. I’m just really happy that you’re happy.” She cleans up under her eyes. “You deserve to be happy, Rio. You both do.”

“I am so proud of you for taking care of everything you did these last handful of years. I fucked up. We both know that now, and I am so sorry. I’ll never be able to say that enough. I’d offer to start over with you, but I’m afraid if we do that, you’d end up introducing yourself again and I feel like twice in a lifetime is plenty.”

“That was adorable, you two!” Wren shouts from somewhere inside. “But if you’re going to finally fuck, can you do it at Rio’s house? I need to study.”

“I know you have a scar right here from falling off your bike when you were eleven.” “Well, I’d hope you remember that. It was your fault.

“So would now be a good time to also tell you that I bought you a car?” She freezes, her lips still on mine, before she pulls back to look at me. “Rio!” “Hallie!” Her eyes narrow. “Stop trying to be cute right now.” “I’m not trying. It just comes naturally to me.”

“Rio, playing for Boston is your childhood dream.” I shake my head. “You’re my childhood dream.”

“Rio,” Indy calls from across the firepit, sitting on her husband’s lap. “Ryan has something he wants to tell you.” We all shift our attention his way. “Uh…” he stumbles, and Indy gives him an encouraging nod. “I just wanted you to know that…” He clears his throat. “I love you, man.” My eyes go comically wide while everyone else stays perfectly silent. I’ve been waiting to hear him say that for years. “I don’t know, Ryan.” I toss my head from side to side, studying him from across the firepit. “It just didn’t hit the way I always imagined it would.” “Oh, get fucked!”