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What was it with people wanting me totalkto Axel?
“Where? I don’t want him in my space, and you know how everyone in Cherish Cove is. They’re completely into everyone else’s business. Even if I did ‘talk’ to him, it wouldn’t be a private conversation.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I know you bought a pregnancy test this morning.”
Her hand clapped over her mouth, and she looked around us, as if she expected the older ladies who hung out atNan’s Dinerto pop out of the woodwork. “What? Oh my God. I didn’t want Hasya to know that—because I’m probably not…you know what—and now, he’s going to find out and be disappointed.”
She sniffled, and as if summoned by her dismay, her tall, dark and handsome Czech husband showed up in the doorway and pulled her into his arms. I averted my eyes, their gushy love and the fact they’d likely be pregnant soon making me uncomfortable.
“Princezno,” he murmured as he lifted her from her seat then took her place and settled her onto his lap. “I love you. You’re all I need.”
Just like they were kissing, momentarily forgetting I was there. And I took my cue to leave. The three of us could have coffee another day when just seeing their adoration of each other wouldn’t stab me through my barely mended broken heart.
Five
Bristol
With my evening cut short by what I was sure was about to become baby making, I took a drive up to Adrian Point, the small city north of Cherish Cove. Being larger than my hometown, there was less chance of me running into anyone who would see me then tell Axel about my activities for the afternoon. Honestly, even at home, there was little chance of that. But—and it was a big old but—I would definitely be stopped and told all about his arrival then questioned about him as if I were his social manager.
After grabbing a iced specialty drink from my favorite coffee shop, I headed home to my empty apartment, intent on spending a couple hours on my passion project.
I had two real passions nowadays. One was books. More specifically the dream of opening a bookstore in Cherish Cove. The town didn’t have one and in my opinion, the we really needed one. Of course, I thought that. Books were the foundation of my existence, not to be too dramatic about it. Opening minds to the written word was practically a life mission. That was what I did at the library, of course, but since I was a little girl, I’d wanted to run a store that sold all my favorite books.
My other passion project was researching and writing the history of Cherish Cove. I didn’t see myself ever writing fiction, but I could weave together an engaging history. I couldn’t believe no one had ever recorded the town’s origin and formation into a single written account. When I’d started exploring the past, I’d been entranced.
Okay… Maybe, Sutton was closer to the mark than I’d thought. I was edging nearer and nearer to eccentric spinster aunt status with every passing day. I needed to get out more. Meet people. Perhaps, even a guy.
My psyche rebelled at that, not wanting anyone buthe who would not be named, my own personal villain.
And truly, yeah, I admired the hot actors on movie and TV screens. The models posted in some of my reading groups on social media were nothing but perfection. But the idea of being with one of them or any guy, for that matter? Right. No. First of all, despite the tread marks Axel had left on my self esteem, I knew I was passably pretty, but I wasn’t the sort to be on a celebs arm. Second—and this was the worst thing—whenever I thought of a man,beingwith any man, my brainimmediately zoomed to Axel. Even after all this time.
Maybe, it was time to breakout the dating app my cousin, Fiona, had set up on my phone.
I chuckled. Her doing that had resulted in my cousin being grilled by her boyfriend, Liam, about why she knew so much about the site. She was years younger than me, and she’d already foundher one. I was sure I’d hear about her engagement any time now. My cousins were all dropping like flies when it came to getting coupled up.
And then there was me.
Determined not to feel sorry for myself and vowing not to be the stereotypical librarian anymore—after the fundraiser this weekend, anyway—I promised myself to get out more. With new resolve, I parked my car in the designated spot in my complex, noticing a tiny silver car nearby that was out of the ordinary.
New neighbor? I guessed it could be. Mr. Anderson, the guy who owned the six-plex where I lived, never had trouble keeping the units filled. I hadn’t realized there was a vacancy, though. So…maybe, it was a visitor? The people around here, mostly college-aged kids who went to Michigan Valley University, the college that wasn’t far from here, all tended to have more of a social life than I did.
Until next week, Bris. Next week, you’re gonna hit the bar or club or something and stop being so…single.
Determined, Igrabbed what remained of my drink, the tote I carried back and forth to work and my wallet then headed toward my place. I was on the third floor and some days that seemed forever away. I reminded myself for the thirty-seven-thousandth time that all the stairs were good for my legs and cardio. And I definitely didn’t want to move to another rental. My home was close to everything.
My home.
I’d spent years turning it into a cozy little refuge, my sanctuary.
My domain where I could dance around in my underwear if I wanted to because I was all alone.
Except…
When I turned to drop my things on the console table beside the door, I nearly tripped over the rolling suitcase that had been left in front of it.
What the…hell?
