“I’ll get something to clean up. Stay here,” I said.
She fell back against the table with an exhale. “I just need a breath. Then I have so many questions.”
I smiled as I reached for the soft blue workshop towels. “I have no doubt. I’m here to help.”
Chapter 25
Claire
Cozy Creek Confectionerywas fully decorated for fall as Madi flitted from table to table, helping tourists and locals alike with an easy smile and friendly chatter. I’d become a sort of regular these past few weeks, chatting with locals and learning all the hot gossip. Sometimes, Dad joined in from my computer on a video call, falling for this funky little town as much as I was.
Did I know about the one and only Huber car service? Did I know a billionaire was in town?
“No! Tell me everything,” I’d said, and Madi did between customers, Gigi filling in pieces for me.
The journal I’d started keeping when I first got here about the stories of Cozy Creek had even started getting some traction online. Not a lot, as it wasn’t as exciting to read as watch videosthese days, but enough that it kept the side project alive. Even though I wasn’t changing the world with these hidden treasures, I found I couldn’t get enough of them. They kept me occupied as I waited to hear back from my editor. I had emailed her to tell her that I couldn’t do the Lily story but pitched a few others that I would hopefully get excited about when the time came. For now, I interviewed the locals and learned about the Ruby Ridge Art Retreat, just outside of town.
“Only one more week, huh? I feel like I’m just getting to know you,” Madi said. “Then again, I’m leaving too.” Her voice held the same sad realization that settled in my bones.
“I know. It doesn’t feel real. Time is going so fast,” I said.
We sat for a beat in silence, both staring without saying what weighed on us. Neither of us voiced it out loud.
I couldn’t think about how Levi and I were obsessed with each other. How we’d fully given in to our desire for each other. How we hadn’t talked about what any of this meant or if we had a future. I tried to think of a plan where I could move on from here but found it hurt too much, and the plan was already decided. He hadn’t mentioned when my rental was up either.
Maybe I should make a PowerPoint presentation to clarify the boundaries and expectations of this newly budding situation-ship?
But then, what if I imagined things that weren’t there? He typically shared easily. If he wanted to see me after my time was up … it wouldn’t matter. I had a storage unit of all my stuff waiting for me to come get it, and my dad had already booked his flight.
My phone lit up, and I reached for it, instantly wondering if Levi was ready to head back. Not to sound like a teenage girl, but maybe we would finally go all the way tonight.
Instead, I winced when I saw it was Kevin. Again.
“Hope you are doing okay. Heard the news. Call me if you want to talk.” I stared at his confusing text for too long. What news? Was he stalking me? Had small-town gossip about Levi and me somehow made it up to his fancy New York condo? I highly doubted that.
“Oh, that’s a face I know too well. Either the milk is expired in that coffee or an ex-boyfriend?” Madi said.
“My ex,” I said, shaking off his confusing comment. The coffeewasbad, milk or not, but I kept that to myself.
“Ew.”
“I don’t know why he continues to talk to me. I haven’t even been thinking about him at all,” I confessed.
“I wouldn’t be either if I spent that much time with Levi Carmichael.” She smiled suggestively, but I didn’t spill the beans.
“I think my ex is just toying with me. I don’t know.”
My phone lit up again, and it was my editor this time. This call I would take. “Excuse me.”
I stepped outside and despite the cold fall day, the sun shone bright and felt good on my face.
“Hey, Claire.” Melanie’s voice was tight and businesslike.
“Hey, Mel. What’s going on?”
She sighed. “Listen. I don’t have a lot of time, so I’m going to get this out as fast as I can before the big boss comesdown here. There’s no good way of putting this, but I know you, and you like it straight to the point anyway.”
A cold breeze had me shiver as a cloud moved in front of the sun. My stomach churned audibly.
