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“What’s going on?”
Nora crossed her arms, looking down. “It’s just…they’ve decided to sell the shop. They’re moving. Headed to Arizona to a retirement community. They plan to visit often, though…”
“What?” I had just thrown the little business festival. It was supposed to help.
Nora already knew where my mind was, which was why her face was flushed red.
“I know, Rae. I’m so sorry. You did amazing; it has nothing to do with you. They’re tired of the cold. Dad’s construction business is in the process of being sold, and Mom can’t keep up with the shop anymore. It’s just too much for them.”
Tears actually burned the back of my eyes, which was mortifying. This wasn’t something to cry over. It was just a dumb marketing festival. It wasn’t a fix-all idea. Maybe it didn’t do anything but leave a sticky memory for parents and lift spirits momentarily.
“Don’t do that thing where you trash all your ideas and tell yourself lies. You did amazing, Rae. Amazing. My parents are just done being in Macon, that’s all.”
I nodded, knowing in my heart she was right and that it made sense, but my head warred with the idea, unwilling to accept that I had failed. I didn’t want to lose a single business. I wanted to succeed, and what if a big company bought the shop and put a diner in it, or some other form of competition to my parents?
“Go home, Rae. Go see Davis, tell him you love him too, and let all this go. It was never your mess to begin with.”
I couldn’t even respond, so I just nodded and left her house.
* * *
It waslate by the time I parked in front of Davis’s house. Stars blanketed a dark October sky as a thin tendril of smoke lifted from the top of the house. A warm sensation of belonging wound its way around my heart, calming me to my core. This place had become home to me, and all I wanted to do was snuggle under the covers with the man I loved.
Taking each step, one at a time, I tugged on the screen door, smiling as I usually did when I remembered that first kiss. Once I pushed open the front door, two short barks greeted me, followed by the sound of nails clicking on the hardwood.
I dropped my purse and took off my shoes, leaving my coat.
“Hello, you two, did you catch any rabbits today? Trap any cougars?” I kneeled, scratching their heads as they affectionately shoved their wet noses into my neck, licking at my jaw.
“They found a snake in the back yard. A big one, so they both enjoyed a fat piece of raw chuck roast for dinner,” Davis answered, walking into the living room, bare chested and sipping something hot. My stomach swooped at the sight of him, at the way that longer piece of hair always dipped a little far, cutting into his forehead like a Disney prince.
I loved when he walked around in a pair of denim jeans and no shirt, and the way those eyes seemed to burn when they roamed over different parts of my body. I hadn’t even realized I was still kneeling until he walked over and held out his hand.
Taking it, I stood and marveled at the seductive smile curving his sensual lips.
“Hi.”
Swallowing the thick, horrific confession I needed to give him, I smiled back.
“Hey.”
Without another thought, I pressed my lips to his, and all was right in my world. His firm grip attached to my waist, his mug was set on the table to our right, and then both his hands were moving up my back and he was walking us to the wall.
His tongue delved deeply into my mouth, his head slanting to the side as I watched him move for move, sinking my fingers into his hair.
“It’s never enough,” he breathed in between kisses. “Having you, loving you…it’s never enough.”
There it was again…the reminder that I needed to come clean.
I pulled back, pushing that longer piece of hair back away from his brow and took a deep breath. “I love you too. I’ve been in love with you for a while now, but there’s something I need to tell you.”
His smile was so big, it nearly broke my soul in half. I had never seen him so happy.
“Whatever it is, it has to wait.” He picked me up, grabbing my ass, as my legs went around his waist.
Then he walked us upstairs, kissing my neck, and catching my lips with every step.
Once we’d entered his room, he gently lowered me until my feet were pressed into what should have been a woven rug but instead it was plush and soft.
