Right In His Arms.

CHAPTER THREE

Victoria went to the store the next day to windowshop on the items she'd need to get her business started, she didn't run into Liam but she met an old friend.

"Victoria Craven! it is true, you're back." the young lady rushed to hug victoria.

"Leah, i didn't think you would be in town."

"I've been around for five years now. I said I'd return to help develop our community, didn't i? We can't all stay in a foreign country."

"Those were teenage promises, seems you were the only one that kept them."

"Nope, Jake returned three years ago, he's a coach at solvang high."

"Wow, he always said he wanted to travel the world as a famous football player."

"He did, won many awards as well. Let's just say, we all missed home and wanted to give back to our community."

Victoria smiled, she hugged her friend again; "I've missed you, i tried reaching out a couple of times."

"I'm sorry, i had to change my cell number and email, had a lot of stalkers." they both chuckled, "Come on, are you done here? Let's go to mine."

"Sure, we have a lot to talk about."

Victoria and Leah arrived at a cottage, two identical young boys about seven years old ran towards leah;

"Mommy, Mommy, tell todd to give it back!" one of the boys said

"Todd, how many times will i tell you to be nice to your brother?" leah scolded

"I'm sorry mom, here you go tom." the other twin returned the toy train to his brother. Victoria followed Leah into the house and her friend offered her a glass of wine as they began to talk;

"Your boys are really cute." victoria said, still looking at them play.

"They are, Tom and Todd took after their father."

"Where is he?"

"He left me for a rich brat in france." she sighed, then turned to victoria. "What about you? Any kids, husband?"

Victoria chuckled dryly, "No, i have none."

"But why? I'm sure you see a lot of cute doctors and patients at the hospital."

Victoria shrugged her shoulders, "Well, i had a boyfriend once. He was a police officer, he was cute, funny and kind. When Olivia got cancer, i barely had time for him, always forgot our date appointments and i never remember to call, yet he was still supportive. But then Olivia died and shortly after my mom got sick and i broke it off with him because i couldn't put him through all that again."

"Oh my, i'm so sorry vicki." leah held and squeezed her friend's hand, she changed the topic to lighten her mood. "Cupcakes?" she asked

"Sure."

Opening the refrigerator, she said; "So there's a party tomorrow at the park, you should come and meet everyone." leah brought out the cupcakes and placed it in front of victoria.

"What do you mean 'everyone'?

"Solvang High past graduates of the year 2011&2012."

"What? They're all back?"

"Nah, Just a few. We kinda have a tradition to host the get together before christmas, which is only few months away."

"O...kay? I don't know."

"Come on, it's going to be fun and you need fun."

"Time?"

"One pm, wear something sexy."

Victoria wondered why leah said to dress sexy, as a nurse, she rarely did sexy as she wasn't one to go or remember her dates. She wore a jean short that at least covered her butt cheek properly but left the rest of her milky skin exposed, she wore a big shirt and tied the end at the back, a pair of blue flip-flops and a sunglasses to shield her eyes.

Victoria arrived at the park, a couple of guys whistled at the sight of her, she quickly searched for leah and in no time, found her. She approached her;

"You came, hmmm you look amazing."

"Thank you."

"Hey Victoria Craven, it's so good to have you back." A young man, tall and slender but a bit muscular with brown eyes and a cute smile spoke to her.

"It's good to be back jake, how have you been?"

"Lonely without you."

"Urgh, what a sick line, step up dude." leah teased, victoria laughed. Leah handed her a soda and began to tell her about the eligible bachelors available, as she ranted on, liam joined them.

"Are you planning on selling her off?" he said

Leah turned around and hugged liam, "I didn't think you would come." she said to him but his attention was on victoria who didn't acknowledge his presence. He knew something was off with her, she never acted this cold towards him;

"Hey Tori, how are you?" he asked as he stood beside her.

"Very well, thanks for asking."

"Do you need anything stronger than that soda?"

"No, i'm okay with this."

There was an awkward silence between them, then leah spoke; "Come on vicki, i want to introduce you to someone." she took victoria's hand and pulled her along as they wandered off to a nearby half tent. Liam could see two guys with a matching shirt and short, leah and victoria approached them and seem to be making the introduction. Liam saw the guy taking victoria's hand and kissing the back of it, he clenched his fist;

"Still have a thing for her huh?" Jake said, he chuckled and added, "I guess i'm not the only rival you have now."

"Shut up Jake." liam said and jake laughed. Leah returned to them, leaving Victoria behind to chat with the surfer.

"Why did you do that?" liam asked

"Do what?" she rose her eyebrows as she traced liam's eyes to victoria. "You still have a crush on her?"

Liam ignored her question as he opened a can of beer, "How hard can it be to tell her how you feel?"

"What? Why him and not me? I also have feelings for Tori."

"Don't call her that!" liam snapped at jake, drawing attention from people around them.

"Guys!"