Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
She gives him a timid smile and he nods slowly. The look they share speaks of so many things. Shared history and lost love. But none of it is any of my business. This is the most complicated relationship I’ve ever been in—real or otherwise. Today is shaping up to be a great day to visit the local bakery and bury my feelings in cinnamon buns. Like an adult. Eat all my emotions and then some.
“Connor,” says Denise in a pleading tone. “Please don’t make the wrong choice like I did.”
Ouch. And what the hell, lady? Nothing he said about his father sounds even remotely like me.
“See you later, Mom,” says Connor.
Time to vacate the premises posthaste. I open the door and oh God yes, fresh air and a change of scenery. My shoulders slump in relief. The sky is blue, and the world is going about its business with nil drama, as far as I can see. “Are you okay?”
He nods. We cross the street to his waiting car, and he retrieves the keys from his pocket. “I’ll, ah, see you tonight at seven.”
“Sure.”
Then he climbs in his car and leaves.
I press my fingers against my lips. They’re still tingling from the kiss. Like the taste and feel of him has imprinted on me or something. I stand watching until his vehicle disappears around the corner. Which is not pathetic at all. He said six words to me. Seven, if you count the ah. We could have discussed the morning’s events for a minute. That would have been nice. But oh well.
So much for a slow start to the day. I am officially shook. Given everything, his abrupt departure is understandable. Sort of. The man obviously has a lot on his mind and so do I. Ava’s change in attitude is interesting. Guess we’ll see how long it sticks.
As for the matter of that knee-weakening kiss between Connor and me…if making out were part of the Miss Port Stewart competition, we’d take the crown.
Someone calls out my name from across the street. It’s the lady with the pearls and the kissing cousins. I think Shanti called her Diane. She wishes me a nice day and gives me a wave as she wanders over to a garden shop on the next block. Then Harold ambles out of the café with a frown on his face.
“You okay, honey?” he calls across the street.
I give him a thumbs up.
He nods and disappears back into the café.
Time for me to go inside. People are obviously watching. Hope they don’t think we had a fight. Though there’s little I could do to shift that perspective right now.
Life sure comes at you swiftly sometimes. But a salt breeze is blowing, and a seabird cries out up high in the blue sky. I love this. Being near the water soothes my soul. There’s a chance I am a little heartsore from everything that’s been happening. I am, however, happy here. It’s like the weight of all my worries has lessened. Moving here was scary, but I know in my bones that it was the right thing to do.
But as content as I am, I can’t help but wish that Connor hadn’t driven off so quickly. I start rubbing my breastbone with the heel of my hand. This must be how my heroine feels when things start to go sideways. When her heart starts to complicate things. When her head is full of him. Idiots in love is the theme of the book and me still standing here is absolutely giving that vibe.
I am an idiot for crushing on Connor. That fact has been beyond established. Though it doesn’t mean the experience can’t be useful. Ideas and dialogue are already filling my mind. The words are coming back thick and fast. My fingers need to get to the keyboard and there’s no time to waste. I head inside with a smile on my face.
Ava: That was awkward.
Me: Yeah.
Ava: Did you just send me a photo of your foot?
Me: You said you wanted photos.
Ava: Nice polish.
Me: I know right?
Ava: How long has Denise been like that?
Me: You mean how long’s she been Team Ava? You’d know more about that than me.
Ava: She always loved the idea of us together. Everyone does. But her energy was way off this morning.
Me: Yes, it was.
Ava: So?
Me: Ask Connor.
Ava: Is he talking to me?
Me: Ask him that too.
Ava: Why are you encouraging me to talk to your boyfriend?
Me: Because if all it takes to break us up is a conversation with you then we shouldn’t be together in the first place.
Ava: You’re in a mood.
Ava: I don’t need more shots of your feet. Stop it. Why do you always have to make things weird?
Me: Go away. I’m working.
The day is gone, and soft evening colors own the sky by the time I see him again. Connor’s standing beside the black mustang, his eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. He gives me an easy smile and says, “I would have come upstairs.”