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“Who’s Charlene again?”
“I don’t think you’ve met. They live three houses down from us.”
“Okay, that’s good news for her. Why are you telling me this?”
“I’m telling you,” I grin at the annoyance in her voice. Being a younger sibling doesn’t come with many perks, so the few I have I utilize often. “because they’re moving. They need a bigger house and will be putting theirs on the market. Properties get snapped up quickly in this area, and I know how much you love this neighborhood.”
That has my grin dropping. She’s right. I would jump at the chance to live there. It’s close to schools, the park, and a few minutes walk from the beach. A bonus would be that I’d get to see my niece and nephew more often.
“What time frame are they looking at?”
“She mentioned the next couple of months. They’ve just started looking. I could tell her you’d be interested to come have a look. I think it would be perfect for you and Quinn. It’s not big, but from what I can see, perfectly maintained.”
I bite my lip, my mind working furiously. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Our lease is coming up for renewal in a few months, and we did plan on not renewing it. But Quinn is so busy with work at the moment I’m hesitant to even mention it.
“I’d have to talk to Quinn.”
“Discuss it with him and let me know. There’s still time, but don’t take too long.”
After hanging up, I turn back to the magazine rack, eying the picture of the Eiffel Tower. I thought the last time Quinn and I had sex, we’d turned a corner. It was more than how out of control he was. It was how he held me in his arms, clinging to me as if he needed me like his next breath, that filled a void that I hadn’t even realized was there.
Now it’s a week later, and he’s been late every single night except for the weekend. I guess I should be thankful for weekends. If it wasn’t for those, I’d hardly see him. But even those don’t feel right anymore. Our conversations have become choppy, and our silences longer. If he’s not on his phone replying to some or other work email, he’s leaving the room to take a call. Those especially make me feel unsettled, so on Sunday, I did something I would never have considered doing before. I tiptoed to the door and eavesdropped. Who even does that?
I was relieved to hear him discussing some or other account, and then I was angry at myself for doubting him. In all our years together, he has never given me any reason to doubt. Yes, there’s a distance between us that’s never been there before, but it’s because he works so damn hard.
I used to think I was the most important thing in his life, but now I feel I’m not even a close second to work. The whole situation makes me feel helpless, and some days, I don’t even recognize myself anymore. It’s like our life has fallen into a pattern I don’t like, and I don’t know how to get out of it.
“Good morning.”
I take a deep breath, plastering a smile on my face before turning to Kallan.
“Morning, neighbor. I see you’ve finally come for a refill,” I say, eying his mug in his hand. “You’ve had me worried that you don’t like my coffee.”
The morning after I went to his shop, I waited for him to come in, but by ten, I sent Shelley over with a mug for him and Andrew.
“I thought I’d spare Shelley the trip.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You sure it’s okay? I mean, giving away coffee every day is not really a good business practice.”
“It’s more than okay. I meant it when I said you’re welcome to come get your daily fix. A few free mugs of coffee a month won’t break the bank. And not everybody gets free coffee. Only friends and certain neighbors.”
I watch in satisfaction as his mouth hitches up in one corner, a ghost of a smile flirting with his lips. I have a feeling that seeing them tilt up in a full-blown smile is as scarce as hens’ teeth.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. And Shelley doesn’t mind.”
She did mind the first time, but when she came back, she had stars in her eyes and couldn’t stop talking about Andrew. She even had Olivia curious.
“I like your sign.”
My gaze follows his to the wooden sign hanging over the door, shaped like a book, proudly displaying the name of the store.
“My grandpa made it. The way he told it, it took him a good few tries to get it right, but they were young and sunk everything they had into this store. They had to pinch pennies wherever they could.”
“Well, he did a good job.”
“He would have liked to hear you say that. Especially from someone that’s so good at what they do. They always talked about getting a bench for out here but never got round to it.” I sigh, nostalgia settling heavily on my shoulders. I miss them and would give anything just for some extra time with them. “One day, I’ll get one.” I turn back to Kallan and catch a glimmer of something in his eyes. Sadness? Wistfulness? Or maybe it’s nothing, and I’m just imagining it. “Anyway, let’s go get you that coffee.”
*****
