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“Oh.” Tessa wanted to say more than that, but under Daniel’s glare, she found that words had left her entirely.
“Oh?” His voice was filled with quiet venom. “That’s all you have to say is “oh?” Tessa, why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“I… well, I hadn’t made up my mind yet but—”
Daniel’s eyes grew dark. “Save it. I already know you’re going to take it and leave this little backwoods town in your rearview mirror. I trusted you, Tessa. I opened up to you, and the whole time, you had one foot out the door.” He ran his hand through his hair roughly and cursed under his breath. “I feel like an idiot.”
“Daniel, can you just listen to me? God, it’s like you’ve made up my mind for me, and I don’t get a say.”
He shook his head and gave a wry chuckle. “That’s just the thing, though, Tessa. If it isn’t this job, it’ll be another one. There’s nothing we can offer you—that I can offer you—that could compete with the glamor of some big city career.”
Anger flared in Tessa’s chest, and her cheeks flushed. “Is that really what you think of me?”
“It’s like you say, isn’t it? You never really stay anywhere for long anyway.”
As the words struck home, Tessa’s anger gave way to a wave of grief. It was an open wound he had gone for, and it hurt like hell. “You know what? Maybe you’re right. I’m not sure what there really is for me in this town, anyway.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed, and he nodded slightly as though her words confirmed it for him. Tessa wanted to slap that look off his face. She had changed during her time in Lucas, and it was like Daniel was just holding her past against her. What a jerk.
She could feel tears welling in her eyes, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of crying in front of him. Her pride wouldn’t allow it. Turning on her heel, she turned for the door. “Have a nice life, Daniel. Sorry, I wasted even a single day of it.” Her voice broke on the last few words.
Despite everything, Daniel said nothing. He just let her keep walking away from him.
Before she could even process what this meant for them, she bolted out the door, leaving the patrons staring at her retreating figure. The chilly night air felt good on her flushed cheeks, and she gulped down several breaths. There was something about the impending promise of winter that always brought her peace.
But tonight, there was no peace in her heart. There was only hurt and frustration. She had managed to build something here, and in a single night, she now found herself standing among the wreckage.
This wasn’t fair.Thiswas supposed to be her new start. But instead, she didn’t see any path forward other than to accept the offer and flee. Again.
God, it was always the same. Part of the reason she never managed to stay anywhere in her adult life was because she didn’t knowhowto stay. Things got messy, and she would blow everything up. There was probably a way she could have talked it out with Daniel, but when he had thrown her past in her face, it had been too painful.
Wrapping her scarf closer around her neck and shoving her hands deep into her pockets, she headed towards home. Well, the boarding house. It looked like it wouldn’t be home for much longer.
That thought pained her deeply. Before tonight, she had been considering finding a more permanent solution to her housing situation. She had found a cute little apartment just a block from the bookshop and had already begun gathering the necessary funds. This was supposed to be her new start, and instead, it looked like she was starting over.
Again.
Chapter fourteen
DanielwatchedTessadepart,some of his earlier anger waning. She seemed hurt when she left. No doubt because of the careless words he had hurled at her. What had he been thinking, throwing her past in her face like that? He was hurt, yes. But it hardly excused his behavior. He blew out a frustrated breath, and his gaze fell on the flowers he had bought for her—left behind.
He had created the bouquet with the florist’s help, with a few things in mind. He wanted something that she would love, of course, but he also wanted to give her something that reflected how he saw her—sunny and warm. Inviting. Now, the gesture seemed moot. It was likely she’d never speak to him again.
Maybe that’s for the best,he thought miserably. While he regretted how he had gone about it, the fact was she wanted that job. Maybe she hadn’t fully realized it yet, but eventually, the shiny newness of this town would have worn out, and Tessa would have seen it for what it was—too small to contain her.
“You doing okay there, honey?”
Daniel looked up to see that Lily had cautiously approached his table. She didn’t have her order pad in her hand, so she was just coming over to check on him. Despite himself, the realization sparked a bit of contentment in his chest. This town always looked out for him, no matter what.
“I—I just need to clear my head, I think.” He dug around in his wallet and handed her the cash worth the whole bill, plus a generous tip. “Keep the change. I acted like a fool in here, and I feel bad.”
Lily’s eyes grew a little sad at that. “Oh, hon, we all act a fool sometimes. I’m sure the two of you will be able to smooth this over. She’s a sweet girl.”
But did he want to smooth things over? At the end of the day, he didn’t want to stand in the way of this opportunity, and he was still somewhat angry that she had kept this from him. His emotions were at war with themselves, and he needed to get out of there and blow off some steam.
“Thanks, Lily. I’ve gotta go. Take care. And, uh, feel free to the flowers. I don’t think she’ll be wanting them anymore.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he gathered up his manuscript and made a beeline for the door. He tried to ignore the stares that he left in his wake.
As soon as his feet hit the pavement, he pulled out his phone and dialed the only number he could think of. He walked aimlessly while he listened to it ring, willing Randy to pick up. He needed someone who would be able to talk straight with him without the motherly disapproval.
