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But the feeling wasn’t meant to last, and the realization hit her. Had she taken advantage of him? She had no desire to hurt him, but she wasn’t planning on staying in Camden.
Had it been selfish to kiss him? It had felt so right though. Like coming home for the first time in ten years. Her heart was still racing, and her mind was a mess.
Kylie’s parents were still up watching TV, and she waved as she passed the living room for the kitchen. As her popcorn was cooking in the microwave, she took out her phone. Audrey had sent Kylie photos from the sale of all the townspeople smiling and talking while they sipped coffee and browsed her old clothes. So many familiar faces and new friends. For the first time since she’d been home, she opened her Instagram to post the photos with the caption,
Hometown fundraiser. Everything sold! Benefits the big Victoria Day fair happening next weekend.
She tagged the town then a text popped up from Brad.
Mom filled me in on everything you’ve been up to.
About your job, planning the fair, and the fundraiser.
You sure are taking my challenge to heart.
The job is yours.
You can start when I get home from Japan next week.
Good job Ky.
Her stomach plummeted. She should’ve been overjoyed that her big brother was offering her a job, a good job, back in Toronto. But starting next week would mean leaving Derek in the lurch with all the fair organizing. She pictured him the way he was earlier, smiling and kissing her, then imagined saying goodbye to him in a week, and her heart cleaved in two.
~ * ~
The next day, Kylie went in to work with Sandy for the lunch rush. The café was busy with townsfolk coming to enjoy coffee and a bagel with friends. There were two women, each with a babe in arms, chatting while one breastfed and the other dangled her keys in front of her baby’s hands. They both looked exhausted but happy. Pete and Steve were at another table finishing their pastries.
When they’d come in, Pete praised her. “Derek texted me this morning to tell me you raised the money we need for the fair.”
The thought of Derek talking about her made her fidget with her serving tray. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. Mostly she worried about what he thought of their kiss last night. Kisses. So many kisses. Did he regret it? Even as her mind raced with all the dismal possibilities, she couldn’t deny the warmth radiating out from her chest and creeping up her neck.
“Honey,” Sandy said. “Do you mind making a delivery to Meadowbrook?”
“Edna ordered a new romance already?” Kylie asked, already taking off her apron.
“You betcha.” Sandy handed her a canvas tote bag. “And a few others.”
Kylie made her rounds at Meadowbrook. Edna was resting so Kylie left the book outside of her apartment door. As she was crossing the community room to leave, she noticed Forrest sitting at his games table for two, alone, and staring at the chess board on the table. She sat down across from him.
“Where’s your chess partner? Did he get tired of beating you so easily?” she asked.
Forrest lifted his sad eyes, and a lump immediately rose in Kylie’s throat.
“Oh, no,” she said. “Forrest, did—”
“Roger’s going to be all right.” He patted her hand. “He had a heart attack last night, and he’s in the hospital in Hampton, but the staff tell me the nurses there are hoping to send him home soon so he can stop pestering them.” He smiled weakly.
“I’m glad he’s okay,” Kylie said. “But are you okay? You must be worried.”
“When you get to be my age,” he said, “reminders of your mortality are around every corner.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she just nodded.
“It gets you thinking about the time you have left and what you want to do with it,” he said wistfully.
At that moment Edna, up from her nap, came into the community room, and for a moment she and Forrest locked gazes before she smiled at him then joined her friends on the couches. He sighed.
“So, what are you waiting for?” Kylie asked.
