16
Kelly walked into the bookstore first thing the next morning. She loved the place, the smell, the community. But right now, all she could see was that Miles was not around. That Emma wouldn’t be popping out from behind a shelf to say “Hi!”
The night had been rough. She spent most of it awake thinking about what Cole and Ava had said. She knew what she needed to do. Montana was calling her. She just needed to take the leap forward and leave.
Kelly walked up to the cafe counter and smiled at Katie. “Hey, sis.”
“Welcome back,” Katie said. She walked around the counter and gave Kelly a hug. “Did you have fun?”
“I did. It was very enlightening.”
Katie gave her a knowing look. “Did you meet someone?”
Kelly nodded. “I did.”
“I knew it.” Katie walked back around the counter. “Your usual?”
“Yes, please.”
Katie made a latte and handed it over to Kelly before leaning against the counter. “Cole said he told you about our family meeting.”
“So he was telling the truth?” Kelly asked.
Katie laughed. “He was. And if you want to leave, do it. Don’t let fear stop you.”
Kelly pulled in a shaky breath, tears suddenly blurring her vision. “I love you.”
Katie reached across the counter and took Kelly’s hand. “I love you.”
Kelly took her cup of coffee and walked back toward the office. When she opened the door, Michelle sat at the large desk, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth with a look of pure concentration on her face.
“Hey,” Kelly said. “Did you miss me?”
Michelle looked up. “Hey! I mean, I did in the sense of you’re my sister and I love you, but did I miss you in regards to work? No, I want this job. That’s no secret.”
Kelly laughed and set her purse down on the edge of the desk. “Why do you look like you’re concentrating so hard?”
“Oh, my gosh. Look at this!” Michelle turned the laptop toward Kelly. A flyer for a famous fantasy author was on the screen. “I’m going to get him to come here for a signing.”
Kelly raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up, sis. He rarely does signings. I’ve also heard he’s pretty cynical and hard to work with.”
“I don’t care. I’m going to try.”
“I have faith that if anyone can do it, it would be you.”
Michelle looked up from where she was still seated at the desk, and tears filled her eyes. “Are the rumors true? Are you leaving?”
Kelly nodded. Michelle stood, and Kelly pulled her into a hug. “But I’ll be back to visit all the time.”
“I know. I’m glad you’ve found someone.”
“Thank you.” They held each other in a tight hug for a long moment until Kelly pulled back. “And I have all the faith in the world that you are the best person to take over the event coordinator position here.”
“Thank you,” Michelle said. She took a deep breath and released it. “Have you talked to Eli yet?”
Kelly shook her head. Elijah was their protective older brother, and she genuinely had no clue how he would react.
Her phone pinged, and she pulled it out of her purse.
