Page 84 of Just One Chance

"I initially had reservations too, but it was fine." My worries were unfounded, and instead, I fell in love with Kennedy. I just needed to get through this dinner so I could tell her that.

Cal placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "Who did you have in mind for this?"

Mom's expression brightened. "You know her. You dated before you went to college. It's Amanda Rice."

I exchanged a look with Rowan because Cal dated her in high school, and it was a big deal when they broke up. Not that he would have discussed his relationship with Mom and Dad. I’d gotten the impression that he'd never truly gotten over her.

The server arrived with dinner, and the conversation paused for a few seconds while everyone got their plates.

I had my doubts that this thing with Kennedy would work out for the business or me, but it had gone better than I ever could have imagined. I hadn't been looking for love or anything different in my life, but Kennedy made me see the possibilities. And now I needed to talk to her before she left for good.

We ate dinner, and while we waited for our dishes to be cleared, I grew anxious. Surely, Kennedy was waiting for me in her room. It was just a matter of time before I could join her. I just hoped that she'd be willing to listen to what I had to say.

What Beck said to me was fresh in my mind. Was I willing to move to Miami or even travel back and forth? It would be difficult to maintain my current business if I moved or spent a good chunk of the year traveling, but surely there was a way it could work out. I was confident that we could figure something out together, provided she felt the same way I did.

When dinner was finally cleared, we said our goodbyes, and I headed for the elevator in the lobby. I rode it upstairs to Kennedy's room, remembering the night we met, and how it felt to be with a woman I thought I'd never see again.

I knocked on her door, but she didn't answer. There was no sound on the other side of the wood. No footsteps or voice on the phone. Where was she?

I shot her a text.

Boone: I just finished dinner with my family, and I wanted to see you. Tell me where you are, and I'll come to you.

I jogged down the stairs, confident that she'd respond. She was probably working somewhere in the building.

When I passed the lobby counter, the clerk said," Ms. Barnes wanted me to let you know that she had to check out early."

I paused, my heart seemingly skipping a beat. "What did you say?"

"She said she had an offer for a job and needed to leave right away. It was urgent."

"She left," was all I managed to say.

"Yes, but she was very apologetic and said she'd be back for the snow-room reveal." He chuckled. "That's all anyone is talking about around here. I can't wait to see it."

"Yeah, they're excited about it," I said as I moved slowly away from the counter. What was I going to do? Kennedy left and didn't bother to text me or talk to me before she went.

Was this always her plan, or was it unexpected like she'd said? Why had she told the clerk but not anyone else?

I needed to talk to someone, so I got in my truck and drove to the brewery. I couldn't believe that Kennedy walked away, that she left without a word. Why would she do that?

She said she had another job to go to, but she'd mentioned that she had a lot of messages about potential jobs and that she needed to go through them. I thought we had time. She'd said she took time off between jobs and recharged at her condo. I'd hoped that she'd decide to do that here with me. I'd waited too long to tell her how I felt.

When I arrived at the brewery, the lot was full, and I parked on the side of the building. It was nice to see so many people in the tasting room. A band was getting ready to play on the stage.

The brewery was a resounding success, and the inn was getting needed updates. My business was growing and expanding. Everything was working out. Except I didn't have the one person I wanted in my life.

I stood by the bar and waited for Beck to come my way. "I thought you'd be with Kennedy after your big meeting."

"She left." It felt like my stomach had been hollowed out.

Beck dipped his head. "What did you say? Because I thought you said she left."

I nodded, my heart still racing. "She checked out of her room while we were meeting as a family."

Beck raised his finger, the universal sign for wait a minute, and then he talked to the other bartender. Then he came around the counter and said, "Follow me."

He led me to the back where there was a private bar area for groups and parties. It was empty tonight.