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Mom pointed her fork at me. “You can’t even remember.”
I opened my mouth to defend myself, intending to mention those dates I’d gone on from the online app Abby talked me into trying, but those were years ago. Whenever I thought a man was flirting with me, whether it was at the grocery store or the front counter of my coffee shop, I shut it down fast. It was a defense mechanism to protect myself.
Abby took pity on me and changed the subject. “Hunter’s working on his science project for the fair.”
“Oh, yeah?” Dad asked. “What’s your project this year?”
Hunter immediately perked up and went into his plans for his project.
I couldn’t shake off Mom’s words. Many of the shop owners had begun pairing off recently. I still held myself slightly apart from them. I was a business owner and had every right to be there, but trust was hard for me. It wasn't easy to believe that a relationship was genuine. That I could trust anyone’s motives. I only had my ex to blame for that.
It only takes one person to throw you off your axis, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever regain my balance.
ChapterTwo
BEN
Six Month Later
Moving to Annapolis was my chance to start over and be the dad I should have been all along. I’d hoped to move in the winter, but permits and supply issues held things up. Cade and Nolan from Morrison Brothers Construction did good work despite challenges that were out of their control.
Opening a second coffee shop in a small town was risky, but I knew the market. A tourist town like Annapolis had multiple ice cream and fudge shops, and it should be able to sustain two coffee shops. I’d scouted the competition—Java Coffee—not realizing Brooke owned it. Not that she’d believe me if I told her that. When we were kids, she’d always accused me of manipulation—the election for Class President, the captain of the debate team, and even our grades.
Before our run-in at the garage, I hadn’t seen Brooke since our high school graduation. Back then, I’d been disappointed we wouldn’t be attending the same college, but it had nothing to do with my attraction to her. We pushed each other to do better, to be the best versions of ourselves. We were both driven, and we thrived on achieving our goals. I respected the hell out of her.
I thought she’d go to law or med school, not open a small business in our hometown. Thinking back, it shouldn’t have been unexpected. Our lemonade stand wars were legendary in our neighborhood. We’d change our prices and recipes, playing with amounts of sugar and other add-ons to compete. It was exhilarating. Nothing got my blood pumping more than Brooke Langley.
Things were less complicated when I only had to worry about myself. Now, I had my daughter. Being a newly single father was difficult, but I was doing my best. My corporate job was not conducive to being home in the evenings. A business wasn’t either, necessarily, but I hoped it would give me freedom. Once the business took off, I’d hire more people so I could spend my free time with Cammie.
Success used to mean measuring my personal achievements. Now, it meant being there for my daughter and creating the best life possible for her.
As soon as I opened the front door of my parents’ house, arriving home from work, Cammie skidded to a stop in front of me. The smell of marinara sauce and melted cheese permeated the air.
“Don’t run in the house,” Mom yelled after her, reminding me of Mom yelling at my sister and me the same way when we were kids.
Cammie looked at me from under her Phillies cap, her black baseball glove held tight to her chest. “Will you play catch with me?”
“Of course. Just let me change.” Wearing business suits was a habit in the city. Hopefully, things in town would be lower key.
“Hurry, Daddy.”
“I will.” I chuckled as I headed up the steps, pulling the knot in my tie to loosen it. Contentment moved through my body as I closed the door to my childhood bedroom. As long as I got to spend more time with Cammie, quitting my job, opening a new business, and the move would be worth it.
I quickly shucked my work clothes and pulled on a T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. Hopefully, I’d have time to run outside in the neighborhood instead of my usual early morning workouts on the treadmill.
I lifted my glove to my mom, who’d already settled on the couch to watch the baseball game. “Going outside to play catch.”
Mom smiled softly. “Dinner’s warming in the oven when you’re ready.”
“Lasagna?” I guessed.
“I had to make your favorite for your first official night home.”
I kissed her cheek, knowing she was pleased we’d be moving there. Especially since my sister, Elizabeth, had gone to college and gotten a job in her college town. She rarely visited home. “I appreciate it.”
“Are you going to get rid of that sports car when you move here?” Dad asked.
I paused by the glass sliding door, knowing Cammie would be getting impatient for me to join her. “I think I’ll keep it and get an SUV.”
