AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is that going to be a problem?”
I signal for another glass of wine. “Honestly, it makes me uneasy that I have no other choice but here. I’m not Mum. I’ve been gone for so long, and I don’t fit here.” It was the truth, but not all of it.
“What if things change? What if you meet someone?”
“Like who?” I give her a pointed stare. “Jayce?”
“Why not?” She beams.
“Tegan, please. Don’t. There is no happily ever after for us.”
“But you were so in love. Wouldn’t it be romantic if, after all this time, you got back together? It’s like destiny or something.” Her eyes are almost heart-shaped—she’s so excited at this prospect.
I set my silverware down, wanting to be crystal clear with my next words. If I’m going to have a chance of having any type of business here, I have to make her see this will never be an option.
“Tegan, listen to me. I will never be able to love Jayce Roberts. Do you hear me? He is the reason I left and never came back for all those years—the reason for so many things in my life. You don’t know the full story, and I won’t tell you, so please, can we drop it and not speak about him again?” I look at her dead in the eye with no emotion on my face.
She needs to understand how serious I am when it comes to this.
The excitement and fun drain from her face as she catches on, and I can’t help but feel like the worst person in the world for bursting her bubble, just like the sister who stood her up all those years ago with no reason to give.
But this is the only way I can move forward. It’s hard enough to contend with him in the same place every day if I’m to stay. The idea of Tegan playing matchmaker will make things one hundred percent worse—a little pain now, but best for everyone.
That was a mantra I’ve used before, and I’ll stick by it.
“Okay.” She nods. “I promise.”
“Thank you.” My hand creeps across the table, and I squeeze hers in thanks.
Jayce Roberts won’t be part of my future. I’ve learned my lesson about dreams, and I won’t open myself up to that kind of hurt ever again.
CHAPTER18
ZENNOR
Now
Ever since our lunch, the words I spoke so forcefully to Tegan ring loudly on repeat, as if sounding them out to myself will somehow make them easier to live by.
And as the days tick by—the longer I’m here—the more time I have to consider my long-term future and the real possibility of staying in Tregethworth past the time I thought I’d need to gather myself.
Tegan’s enthusiasm surprised me, and we navigated the rest of lunch to the safer topic of the potential development, which she’s more excited about than I am. With her as a strong ally, it would be easier to win over Mum. Although, I don’t think Mum needs convincing of the idea in principle. My commitment to Tregethworth is what’s in question.
Could this place ever make me happy? Could I ever put everything behind me to do that?
I think about my walk on the beach when I first came back. And I imagine everything I might be sacrificing if I’m to stay in this small town. And isn’t that the problem? I left so I wouldn’t be trapped and I could followmydream. Did I even find it? Or was I so consumed with being strong and a success, I forgot about finding what would make me passionate—what I wanted in my heart. And I’m back here anyway, so maybe I did something wrong. The irony of my mother now threatening to trap me here is not lost on me and adds to my confusion and doubt over every step I’ve taken.
Tegan has land. It’s close by. I could shift the proposition and see if it would stack up at a location nearby. Still, even as I run the idea in my mind, I know it won’t work as well as Mum’s site, and certainly not if I wanted to build a better relationship with my mother. I’d risk alienating her and making a bad job of an idea that depended on location, just in spite of myself. That’s not right, no matter how bad things are.
Of course, I could just scrap the idea altogether and leave, be a silent investor for Tegan. She all but said she’d want to. Then I’d be out of it and free.
“This is ridiculous.” I slam the laptop shut and pace downstairs, grab my coat, and tie my hair back to keep it under control, judging by the wind whipping up outside. Hopefully, Molly will be working.
She’s behind the counter as I walk in. “Hello, stranger,” I greet her with a big smile.
“Hi, you. What can I get for you?”
“A dirty burger and fries, please.” Not my style, but something glutinous and calorific will help my mood. Day drinking wasn’t something I wanted to slip into the habit of.
