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It was so romantic. If only it were real. “And because Rafe came back, you thought he was the guy?”
“I still do.”
Aaron’s presence seemed to wane. Kayla dropped her head into her hands, and images of Rafe’s horrified departure flashed through her mind.
“I wish I believed you were right.”
* * * * *
Several hours had passed, and with Aaron nowhere to be found, it seemed like a good time to clear out some of his mess. Kayla knew the leaves would be back within days, but maybe a taste of normal in her surroundings wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
Two quick raps sounded at the door.
Kayla’s heart beat faster. It might not be him. Gloria or McDonnell might be stopping up with a question about the bar. She paused with her fingers on the brass knob, hoping for a clue or some sort of psychic moment to answer her questions before she faced whomever was outside.
“Open it, for crying out loud,” Opal said, walking down the hall holding the broom and dustpan out in front of her. “Then you can finish sweeping up. I’ve got to get downstairs.”
The knock sounded again.
Opal ushered Kayla to one side, shook her head, and, without fanfare, swung the door open wide.
The room rocked, and her breath slowed.
He was back. Rafe stood there holding two bags. One was plastic; the other, larger and made of paper, with a few symbols Kayla recognized from Opal’s favorite shop on the side.
“Rafe,” she breathed, stepping forward before stopping herself. She didn’t know what he was there for. What he wanted.
Dark, pleading eyes fixed on her. “Kayla, I’m sorry I ran out on you like that earlier.”
“It was kind of a lot. I don’t blame you,” she told him honestly. Blame him, how could she. But miss him, yes.
“I was in shock and feel like a serious jackass for not handling it any better than I did. I’m a see it to believe it kind of guy, and now I’ve seen. I owe you, Opal, and…,” he looked around the apartment. “Umm… Aaron an apology.”
Opal jutted her chin toward the bag. “And you brought presents?”
Kayla smirked at her sister’s antics, before sobering. “Your reaction was pretty understandable, and better than it could have been. I mean, you didn’t run out of here screaming for the townsfolk to grab their torches.”
“Well…” He shifted his stance and peered down at her. “I’m not sure I did much better than that.”
“So you’re here to apologize?” she asked, feeling that pull between them, but wondering again whether it still went both ways. She couldn’t blame him if his feelings had changed.
He stepped toward her. “I’m here for you, Kayla.”
Her heart started to pound, emotion welling fast within in her. “Still? Even with…everything.”
“I couldn’t stay away,” he confessed. “Hell, I spent one night with you and a year later I still wasn’t over it. I couldn’t let you go.”
Biting her lip, she blinked back tears.
“Kayla, that first night… I fell in love with you. I know it sounds crazy. I can’t explain it. I can’t see it, but I feel it, and it’s real.”
She could barely breathe. It was real.
“Kayla, give me another chance. Please.”
“What’s in the bags?” Opal was all but rubbing her hands together as she tried to get a glimpse of the contents.
“Opal!” Kayla grimaced at her sister’s interruption. Maybe it was okay to wish for a little privacy once in a while.
