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“I don’t want to bake either.” I stare at the dark liquid inside my mug.
“But you love baking. It’s your happy place.”
“Yes,” I admit. “But not today.”
Rose seems to be running through a mental list of fun ideas. “Well, when is your next guest coming? I’ll help you get the house ready.”
Without looking up, I give her the news. “I turned off my listing. I’m not really in the mood to entertain right now.”
She sighs, worry etched on her elderly face as the two of us sit in silence. I’m swallowing the last sip of my coffee, when there’s an unexpected knock at the door. Rose rises from her chair, but I stop her, assuring her I can get it myself.
I’m sad, not completely helpless.
I shuffle to the front of the house, my feet like a pair of cinderblocks that I drag along with me. Opening the door, I’m preparing to recite the canned response I use for salespeople, but I do a double take when I see who’s standing on the other side.
Nate is here. He came back…
Looking sheepish with his hands crammed in his front pockets, he stands on the front porch, acknowledging me with a lift of his chin. I don’t know how he did it, but he’s managed to become more attractive in the last forty-eight hours. And it makes my heart both soar and shatter as I look at him.
I swipe beneath my misty eyes, steeling my composure. “What are you doing here?”
Not my kindest greeting, but he takes it in stride, seemingly relieved I’ve said anything at all. “You finished my book?”
I swear there’s wonderment in his voice, but surely, I’m imagining things. I lift my chin and push my shoulders back, feigning confidence I don’t have. “Yes, I did.”
His lips twitch. “My publisher—”
I panic, thinking I’ve gotten him into trouble. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I was only trying to help. I’m sorry, Nate. I—”
“I love you.” We both widen our eyes upon hearing the words slip from his mouth.
“What?” I question, not believing my ears.
“I mean, uh…my publisherloves you.” His nerves get the best of him, and he reaches up to scratch the back of his head.
“Oh. I thought… Well, it doesn’t matter.” My voice trails off as my shoulders droop again.
He tentatively steps forward, inching closer as I stare at my feet. “Actually, I had it right the first time. I love you, Teddie.”
My head snaps up and my gaze locks on his. “You…youlove me. Not your publisher?”
This better not be some kind of joke.
“No. I mean, yes.” He groans before clarifying his declaration. “Yes, my publisher loves you. But so do I.”
The ache in my chest begins to melt away, but I resist giving in too easily. Instead, I purse my lips and regard him cooly. “Oh. Well, that’s very nice.”
Nate frowns as worry creases his brow. “Nice…That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.”
Doesn’t feel good, does it, mister?
I keep quiet, wanting to see what else he has to say. But Rose joins me and speaks over my shoulder. “She loves you too, you know.” Her tone is very matter-of-fact.
I turn my head to glare at her.Traitor.And she doesn’t even have the decency to look ashamed.
Nate’s eyes bounce back and forth between Rose and me. “What was that?”
I put my arm in front of my meddling neighbor, wanting to block her from answering for me again. My eyes never leave Nate’s when I ask, “Why are you even here?” I can’t hide the sadness in my voice, but I’m not embarrassed for him to hear it. After all, he is the one who caused it.
