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15
Caiti
A tinkling bellover the door signals my arrival at the town's little coffee shop. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sugary sweet pastries assails me as I step over the threshold, the air-conditioning wafting the tempting scent through the air. A brightly lit glass case beckons me for a peek. It’s been years since I’ve selected a sweet treat to devour all on my own without sticky little fingers seeking a bite, or more realistically, half of the dessert. Not that I mind sharing with my baby. I’d gladly give her the entire thing. Not even halfway to the display, I’ve already counted out three donuts to surprise her with back home.
In moderation, of course.
A white bag pack with scrumptious goodies and an iced coffee accompany me to a circular table near the window where Evie waits.
“This place is cute.” I dump my purse, donuts, and drink on an empty chair beside me and settle in my own space. The café isn’t large by any standards, but it easily fits a handful of tables around the perimeter. The walls are painted with pink vertical stripes, and the table tops are baby blue. It’s very fresh and airy and bright.
“Isn’t it?” She scrunches her nose. “But we aren’t here to chitchat about the atmosphere. How are things with Baby Daddy?”
“This is your friend Kiersten’s fault, isn’t it? The one who constantly talks about sex.”
She takes a casual sip and lifts her shoulder. “Maybe. Don’t avoid the question.”
I chew my lower lip. For three years, I’ve been missing exactly this. Having someone close to seek advice from and share my life with. Someone in my corner celebrating my wins. And maybe even telling me when it’s time to get my head out of my ass.
“Things are really good, actually.”
Evie leans forward, her eyes growing wide. “Really? Tell me more.”
A rush of adrenaline surges through me. “He’s all in with Ophelia. You should see them together. I caught them making pancakes and dancing in the kitchen on Sunday morning, and I about had a cavity from all the sweetness.”
“Oh, my God. I wish I could see it. He’s not usually like that. I mean, Dane’s a nice guy, but he’s not overly affectionate or even smiley. At first, I thought it was because I was a bitch to him when you left all those years ago, but Rhett told me that’s just how he is.”
I slurp my caramel caffeinated treat. “I expected him to be really mad at me, and it’s almost like he’s the opposite.” My smile severs into a frown.
Evie lowers her blended drink back to the table. “What’s wrong? It’s like you hit the sad switch.”
I rearrange my face into a more content one. “Sorry. Nothing’s wrong.”
“Caiti…” she warns.
“What? It’s the wrong word. Nothing’s wrong per se… I just used to run through all these fake conversations I’d have once I finally told him, and not a single one included him being the way he’s being right now. I’m confused. And it makes this harder.”
Evie smooths a bouncy red curl from her forehead. “Makes what harder?”
“The decision whether to stay or go.”
A shutter slams down on Evie as her guard goes up. She twirls her blue straw around her cup. “I had thought maybe you were settling in. Figuring out a way to stay,” she states hesitantly.
I crinkle my brow. “What gave you that impression?” We’re approaching the two-week mark of my impromptu visit, but she knows I only promised to stay until the wedding. “Nothing’s changed, Evie.”
She grabs her napkin and wipes the ring of condensation from her plastic cup off the table. Her profession as a house cleaner suits her personality well. “Have you evaluated that recently or is that just what you tell yourself to keep your option of running away open?”
“If I’ve hurt you or something, I’m sorry, but you know this is my decision.”
“Yeah, you’ve hurt me.” Her lower lip trembles before she smashes it between her teeth. “I know I’m not one to talk, but at least when I ran away from the people who loved me, I kept in contact. I just can’t imagine you disappearing again.”
Immediately, I reach over and wrap my fingers around her wrist. “I promise I won’t do that again.” A vibration of breath rides my exhale. I shoot for direct honesty, something I should have attempted from the beginning. “You’re right. Some things have changed for me. Volunteering at the memory care unit has been so rewarding that I can’t imagine actually leaving in two weeks. And I spotted an adorable preschool on the other end of town that I can already envision walking Ophelia to each morning.”
“We sent Tommy there before he started kindergarten this year.”
I nod, stalling to chase away the lump in my throat. “Having Dane in Ophelia’s life—finally—I can’t fathom taking that away.”
Evie tilts her ear to her shoulder. “Is it only Ophelia who might miss having him around?”
I pin her with a heatless glare. “He’s been really great and supportive. For both of us.”
“Is it really so bad here?” An assertive smirk sneaks across her face.
“No.”
“Then I don’t see the problem.” She traps her straw between her teeth.
“I loved your brother,” I blurt.
She leans forward so fast her drink hits the table with a thud. “I’ve never doubted that.”
