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Living in a small town, we know everything that goes on here. No one leaves or arrives without someone knowing. That is why I know for a fact that Vance has no desire to just say hi to his high school sweetheart. She left without saying goodbye to anyone but Lydia. She headed off to Juilliard and never looked back. Now she’s home, and Vance wants answers.
“You sure you don’t want to torment her instead?” I look over the schedule and find two hours whereI can squeeze in a visit to Nurture Space. If I’m lucky, things will go quickly, and I can get over there earlier.
“Yup, just like you don’t want to go check out Audrey Wilde in her element.”
“Is Audrey going to be there today?” I respond quickly, my voice raising slightly, letting Vance know all he needs before pouncing.
“Try that on someone who doesn’t know you. From what I hear, she’s kinda cute. Maybe I can ask her on a date.”
My eyes narrow in his direction as a wave of possessiveness shoots through my body. I know Vance has only ever had eyes for Selina, but thinking about him looking at Audrey sends me into a fit of rage. “Too late. I already did.”
“Good on you.” Vance pumps his fist in the air. “Are you going to tell me how you grew a set and finally asked the girl you like out on a date?”
I roll my eyes as I move the mouse on my computer, bringing it to life. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“So, you kissed her?”
“A gentleman never kisses and tells.”
“That would imply that you were a gentleman. Practically celibate since Jade was born, maybe. But a gentleman, you are not.” Vance chuckles, slapping me hard on the back.
“Vance.”
He holds his hands up in surrender as he backs away from my desk. “Come on. You knew this was going tohappen the minute you said something to Bristol. You haven’t so much as looked at a woman since Lydia died, no matter how many times we tried to set you up. This is big news.”
“I’m glad my lack of sex life is news to all of you,” I grumble as I mindlessly scroll through my unread emails.
Even though I knew this was going to happen the moment he asked about my weekend, I was still caught off guard. Waves of guilt wash over me at the mention of Lydia’s name. Lydia is gone and isn’t coming back. I know that in my mind, but my heart is another story. The six years I spent with Lydia were magical, and some of the best of my life. It’s only natural that I wouldn’t be able to find someone to replace her in my life. The pain of losing her will always be a part of me, but since meeting Audrey, that pain has lessened considerably.
“You know I meant nothing by it, man. Who am I to talk? I’ve been pining after the girl who left town to get away from me.”
“Selina didn’t leave town to get away from you, Vance.” I sigh, turning from my computer and staring at him.
Vance is usually such a happy-go-lucky guy, but ever since Selina left town before graduation, he’s changed. Not only did she throw away all the plans they’d made for their future, but she broke his heart. Vance has never moved on, waiting patiently for Selina to come back to him. I thought I was willing to do the same with Lydia, to be thankful for the time we had together, but now thatI’ve met Audrey, for the first time, I’m longing for something more.
“May as well have. Now she’s back, and I’m doing everything I can to convince Selina to give me the time of day.” The light in his eyes dims slightly before he plasters on another fake smile and begins speaking again. “But enough about me. Let’s talk about what’s going on with you and Audrey Wilde.”
“Nothing is going on, per se. Bristol asked me to help her move something into her new house over the weekend. Jade and Love seem to have really hit it off. I dropped Jade at her place before coming here.”
“Hold on a minute. You let Jade stay at their house. Without you there. After just meeting her a few days ago.” He ticked off each point with his fingers. “You didn’t even let me babysit her until she was almost ten.”
“That’s because I needed her to babysit you at the same time.” I chuckle softly before turning in my chair and focusing on Vance.
“Whatever. So, back to Audrey. When are you taking her out?”
“I’m not sure. We haven’t set a specific time or date yet.”
“And?” Vance glares at me before crossing his arms over his chest.
“And what? That’s all there is to tell.”
We stare at each other in silence, both waiting for the other to speak, but neither of us does. “You feel guilty, don’t you?”
I sigh, running my hand through my hair as I try to come up with an answer to his question. “Not guilty, but wrong. Lydia and I planned to spend our lives together, and now she’s gone. And here I am, ready to move on with someone else.”
“Lydia would want you to be happy. And before you argue with me, you haven’t been happy. You are an amazing father, business partner, and friend, but that’s making everyone else happy. You are someone outside of those things. Connor Bennett deserves to be happy on his own, with the person he chooses.”
“I know that. I do, but…” My voice trails off as I try to make sense of the emotions swirling inside me.
