Amanda Johnson leads a comfortable life. She's married to a successful businessman and her daughter is grown and off blazing her own bright trail in the business world, leaving Amanda free to fill her days volunteering at the local charity thrift shop. It isn’t an exciting life but it's secure, and most days Amanda is content to accept the path that she has chosen.<br><br>But all of that changes one day when a woman walks in with a crate full of LP records to donate. As Amanda flips through the stack, there's one album in particular that drags her back to an alcohol-fueled senior year summer outing and a bonfire where she kissed a girl on a dare. She doesn't know it yet, but that very same girl is standing in front of her, all grown up now and peering into Amanda's eyes over a crate of vintage vinyl. <br><br>There's a flash of recognition and Amanda begins to wonder what her life would have been like if she had followed her heart instead of everyone's expectations. What if she had turned left instead of right, zigged instead of zagged? Would she be happier than she is now? And when given the chance to do it all again, will she have the courage to change her decision and follow her heart?

It's Been Such a Long Time

And just like that kiss by the bonfire there is something electric and indescribably wonderful when my lips touch hers. I cling to her hand to steady myself as my head begins to spin and I get lost in the softness of her touch. I don’t know what’s going on in her mind, but she’s squeezing my fingers in her hand like she doesn’t ever want to let go, so I imagine it must be something similar.


After a moment that seems like forever we part and I am reminded again of our first kiss at the bonfire as I stand there wondering what just happened—what just changed. Again, I am at a loss for words. Mari’s not saying anything either.


I’m shaking ever so slightly as I slowly raise my gaze to look into her wavering green eyes. I think about the last time I stared into those pools of green and how I managed to completely screw things up with my silence. I vow not to do it a second time.


Chapter 12