She probably needs the break.I can’t help but feel like a really shitty friend for not making sure to see her more since I’ve been back in town.It’s hard with Easton’s travel schedule and Tanner’s day-to-day schedule to fit in much else other than the bookstore.
Perfect.I’ll text you after his parents leave, and we’ll figure it out.
After all these years, it looks like Easton Bailey finally got his head on straight.
I’m unsure how to react to what she’s saying.Are the pictures as transparent as I feel lately?That we might both be catching feelings?
Can’t wait for coffee.
Dodging the truth is my only option right now.
Holly walks into the office.“This place is magical, Hadley.I see why it means so much to you.Oh, look at all these postcards.”She crosses the room to get a closer look.
I put the phone down and join her.
“Are these all the places your grandma visited?”
“Actually, it’s all the places I have.I’d send her a postcard from every place I went.”
She glances at me and back at the wall.“This is what you meant the other day about commitment not being something you were big on?”
“Yeah.Up until now, Chicago was just a revolving pit stop.After college, I didn’t want to use my degree and decided to travel instead.”
She turns away from the postcards and sits in the chair I usually sit in when Whit sits at the desk.“And now?With Easton and Tanner?”
“I’m not sure.Everything has changed so fast, I don’t think I’ve thought it all through yet.”
I have no idea why I’m being so truthful with her right now.
“You know, I moved to Lake Starlight with one purpose—to get to know my dad.I took a temporary principal job and thought I’d be there three months max, but guess what?”
I don’t interrupt and allow her to finish.
“I met Austin, and I never left.”Her shoulders lift.“Sometimes you don’t have to have it all figured out right away.”She glances at the wall and back at me.“You’ve done a great job of living the life you wanted up until now.Just continue doing what you want, and your heart will guide you in the right direction.”
She leans back and crosses her legs, takingThe Secret Gardenoff the shelf.
“You and Easton are so similar.”She stares at the book cover.“Since Kenzie, I think he’s been running just like you.Neither of you wanting to stay still for a minute in fear of what you might discover.Now he has Tanner, and you have this bookstore.”She doesn’t mention our marriage at all.“I wonder if you both needed to stay somewhere long enough to see what blooms.”She raises the book, smiling.
My first thought is who is Kenzie, and what was she to Easton?
Holly says it as though I should know.Just another thing a real wife would know about her husband.
Holly slides the book back on the bookcase.“I’m just a little sentimental.I’ve never seen Easton this happy with someone before.And I hope you both…” She shakes her head.“Austin would tell me to be quiet and just let it be.”She stands.“You finish up what you need to, and I’ll go spend some time with my grandson’s honorary uncle.”
She laughs.I still haven’t had the nerve to say anything.
“Little does he know how much competition he has up in Lake Starlight.”She winks and squeezes my shoulder before she walks out of the office.“Felix, load me up with good books for my grandchildren.”
I smile and walk over, picking upThe Secret Garden.
Am I just running from my own life?But the thought of staying… is terrifying.
ChapterThirty-Six
Easton
My parents have been in town for this entire home series, and I’ve loved having them at the games.Today is the same as the last two home games.I head to the fence line with Decker to say hello before the game starts.
