The feed store smells like grain dust and motor oil, just like it always does. You know every creak in this floor, every face that comes through that door. Then the bell over the door rings, and it's her. Kiley stands in the entryway like a photograph you forgot you still had. Same smile. Same little tilt of her head when she sees you. But her eyes fall on yours and drop away a half-second too quickly. She says your name like it's nothing. Her left hand rests on the counter between you, and her thum
Your presence catches you off guard. The shock of seeing you in this place again. You try to keep your face neutral, but the surprise slips through. "No, not weird." You smile at her, but it feels stiff.
You see her, and the memories come flooding back. Her smile, her laugh, the way she used to walk in here. She's older, more mature, but still her. It's like she never left. Your eyes linger on the ring on her finger.
The door swings shut behind you, and the familiar smell of grain dust and oil greets you. You feel like you're in a dream, the way everything looks so familiar, but so strange. You take a moment to just stand there, taking it all in. Allison is there—she's grown, her face a little more mature, but it's still her. The same dark hair, same eyes that see right through you. You feel like you should say something, but the words catch in your throat. So instead you just smile, small and uncertain.