Chapter 14
Once again Isla tried and failed to get rid of a single thing of Grandma’s. She knew it would be hard, but she had no idea it would be this hard. They were inanimate objects, even if they held memories, she wasn’t giving away the memory. She was passing it on to someone else to create new memories, yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
She put a hole in the wall, but placing a vase in a box was too much… Maybe she needed to call Mom in. She would have the boxes filled in no time, but Isla didn’t want to call her parents. She was twenty-five, living on her own for the first time, and she needed to prove to herself that she could do this without relying on others to do it for her.
She took the vase in her hand and, with a deep breath, placed it in the box. “I did it,” she said as her eyes rested on the deep blue glass and beautiful shape. She swiped it into her hands. “Okay, this vase is too pretty. I’m going to keep it.” She placed it in the cabinet before she could even stop herself. When she realized she self-sabotaged again, she collapsed into a chair and dropped her head on the table. “I’m hopeless.”
A knock at the door jolted her up, causing her to knock the chair over. She picked it up and placed it under the table. Olivia was working, Harper was having a movie night with Tom and her mom, and her parents were having dinner with friends. Her heart skipped a beat when she guessed who it might be, then quickly told herself to knock it off. Even if it was Nolan, she was still mad at him.
Before opening the door, she peered out the window and caught a glimpse of Nolan’s dirty blond hair. She thought about leaving him out there and acting like she wasn’t home, but she was an adult, even if she didn’t want to act like one right now.
She opened the door and blocked the entryway. “Yes?” she said, refusing to look at his stupid eyes.
“Hey, can I come in?”
“Why?”
“I want to apologize for this morning.”
She pushed the door fully open and moved out of the way. Nolan stepped inside, and she led the way to the kitchen. If he was here, she might as well offer him a drink. It was the right thing to do.
In the kitchen, Nolan sat in the chair she had just picked up after knocking it over, and she went to the cabinets. “Drink?” she asked. “I have beer, wine, iced tea.”
“Iced tea would be good.”
She nodded and reached into the fridge for the pitcher of iced tea she made this morning. “You said you were going to apologize.”
“I’m sorry I yelled at you, but you have to understand my point of view.”
“I know and I’m sorry, too. You were sleepwalking and had no idea what had happened.”
She moved to the cabinet and grabbed two glasses. The glass in her right hand clinked the World’s Best Grandma mug, and the world went to slow motion. Isla dropped the glass in her hand, and it shattered on the counter. She didn’t care about that glass. She thrust her arm forward, but she wasn’t fast enough. The mug hit the counter with a resounding crack that reverberated through her heart.
She gasped as the mug came to a rolling stop. The handle broke in three, a chip in the top, and a jagged battle scar ran right down the center of Grandma.
Nolan jumped up from the table. But she just stood there, mouth open, eyes fixated on the shattered remains. “Oh God,” she finally managed. A sob broke through her words, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
Her lip quivered, and she took a deep breath, trying to keep the rest of the waterworks at bay. Out of all the things in the house that she could have broken, why did it have to be the mug?
She looked up as if Grandma was there to give her an answer. She wasn’t. But she didn’t need to be. In a strange way, Isla felt like the mug breaking was Grandma giving her the push she needed.
“I can fix it.” Nolan gathered the mug and handle in his hand. “Nothing a little Krazy Glue can’t fix.”
“No.” Isla rested her hand on his and blinked up. Another stray tear fell down her cheek. “It’s time.” She took the pieces from his hand and walked over to the garbage pail. She closed her eyes, burning the image of the mug to her memory, and when she opened her eyes, she dropped the mug into the trash.
“Are you sure?” Nolan asked. “It’s totally fixable.”
“You’re going to think I sound crazy.”
“When do I ever think you’re crazy?”
She smiled. No matter how many outlandish things came out of her mouth, he always listened. “I feel like my grandma broke the mug.”
His eyebrows pinched together. “I watched you hit it.”
“I know that, but I’ve had an entire week to start getting rid of stuff; it’s why I haven’t been at work. My parents thought I’d be able to make a huge dent in a week, but I go back to work tomorrow, and other than fixing a pipe I had no choice to fix, I’ve done nothing. I feel like this was my grandma nudging me and letting me know it’s time to unpack fifty years of her life and sort through the memories. I’m ready.”
“That’s not crazy. I can totally picture your grandma finding a way to kick your butt into motion.”
Isla laughed, and the tears that had fallen already dried up.
“Why don’t I clean up this mess while you get another glass and pour us that iced tea you promised? Then we can start by tackling this cabinet.”
“Really? You want to help me?”
“It’s the least I can do after this morning.”
“I told you it wasn’t entirely your fault.”
“I know, but Tom threatened to fight me again if I’m not nice to you so…” He shrugged, and a giggle slipped from her mouth.
“I love him so much.”
“Well, he hates me.”
“He’ll come around.” The look on Nolan’s face said he didn’t believe her. “Just don’t give him a reason to want to fight you.”
He brushed the rest of the glass into the garbage and met her eyes. “I won’t.”
She bit her lip, and heat filled her cheeks. “Good to know.” She filled two glasses with iced tea and passed him one. She held it up. “Cheers.”
He clinked his glass to hers. “Cheers.”
They each took a sip, then got to work. Isla grabbed a few boxes and placed them on the counter, and Nolan started taking out glasses, vases, and water bottles from the cabinet. Nolan held up each item, and Isla decided whether she wanted to keep or toss. By the fifth cabinet, the boxes were filled.
“I can’t believe how much unnecessary stuff she had jammed into these cabinets.”
“What are you going to do with all of this?”
“I’m thinking I might have a yard sale, and any money I make, I’ll donate to the hospital in my grandma’s name.”
“I think that’s a great idea. She’d love it.”
“Hey are you hungry? It’s well past dinner, and I haven’t eaten since earlier.”
“Starving actually.”
“Want to get a pie delivered from Tony’s? My treat for all your help.”
“Throw in cheesy breadsticks, and I’m down.”
“Deal!” She grabbed the phone and placed the order with Diane, who’d been working the counter at Tony’s since Isla was in elementary school. She hung up and put the phone on the table. “They said thirty minutes.”
“Perfect. Want to go through a few more cabinets before they get here?”
“I’m kind of ready for a glass of wine and the couch.”
He smiled. “I’m not going to argue there.”
“I have beer if you prefer.”
“I’ve actually acquired a taste for wine. I’m a big fan of cabernets but also won’t turn down a Riesling.”
“Then you’re in luck. I have a cabernet waiting to be opened. Go get comfy, and I’ll bring it in.”
“Any requests for shows or movies?”
“You’ve always had pretty good taste. I’ll trust your judgment.” He walked out of the kitchen and Isla headed over to the cabinet that had all the wine glasses that made the keep pile. She stepped and pain shot through her foot. A scream ripped from her mouth, and she jumped up on her other foot, grabbing the counter and biting back the pain that was pulsating through her heal.
Nolan ran back, coming to a skidding halt in front of her. “What happened?”
“I think I stepped on a piece of glass.” They both looked down at her foot, and she closed her eyes when she saw her white sock turning red. “Oh boy. That’s not good.”
The ground disappeared from beneath her, and Nolan hurried to the bathroom. She linked her arms around his neck and didn’t argue. In the bathroom, he put the seat down and placed her on the toilet. He sat across from her on the edge of the tub and took her foot in his hand. “Oh yeah, that’s a big chunk. I have no idea how I missed that. I’m sorry.”
She winced. “Not your fault. I’m the one who broke the stupid glass to begin with. Can you get it out?”
“It’s probably going to hurt.”
She forced a smile through the pain. “And you just told me you wouldn’t hurt me again.”
“Please don’t send Tom after me.”
Despite the pain, she laughed. “I promise, I won’t.”
“I’m going to have to pull it out before I can take your sock off and determine how deep it went. Are you okay with me doing that?”
She didn’t even have to think about it. She’d trust Nolan with her life. She nodded.
“It’s probably going to hurt.”
“I won’t hold it against you.”
He gently raised her foot and angled it. She closed her eyes and winced in anticipation. A sharp prick went through her foot, and she let out a gasp.
“It’s out,” he declared, holding the small piece of glass up. “Now let’s see the damage.” He peeled the sock off and held her foot up. “Lot of blood, but it doesn’t seem that deep.” He stood from the tub and grabbed a cotton ball and the bottle of peroxide. “Here, put your foot over the tub.”
She did as he said, and he poured the clear liquid onto the cut. It instantly fizzed up, but it didn’t sting. Blood and peroxide dripped into the tub, and Nolan turned the water on to help wash it down. He grabbed a few bandages, then unraveled some toilet paper.
He motioned for her to sit on the toilet, and he gathered her foot in his hand again, dabbing it dry with the rolled-up toilet paper. “The good news is it doesn’t look like you’ll need stitches. The bad news, it’s in a really bad spot, so your foot might be a bit tender for the next few days.”
“Great, just in time for me to go back to work where I’m on my feet for eight hours a day.”
“I’m sure your parents will give you more time off.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already taken too much. It’s our busy season with weddings and baby showers and bridal showers. I have a million centerpieces I have to make when I go back. Most of them are my design, so to expect anyone else to do them for me. I can’t. They’re my responsibility.”
“I can respect that, and I’m happy to hear you’re finally designing your own centerpieces. Before I left, you had been tossing around the idea of asking your parents.”
“Honestly, with you leaving…” She shrugged. “I figured I had nothing else to lose, so why not go for it? My parents were thrilled to let me take over that part of the business, and I got to finally do what I really love. It was a win-win, and I’m only sad I didn’t suggest it sooner.”
“Better late than never.”
“That’s true. And in a way I have you to thank.”
“At least there was something positive out of my leaving.”
Her head tilted. “But you left to follow your own passion. That in itself is a positive thing.”
He finished putting the bandages on her foot and rested his hand on her ankle. “I thought so, but in the end, it wasn’t very positive at all.” He inhaled, his chest rising and falling with the movement. “I quit my job. And not because I didn’t love it. I did. But I was up for a promotion that was as good as mine, only for my boss to bring in his inexperienced nephew for the position. I couldn’t stay there, so I quit and now I’m here.”
“Well, that’s really shitty,” she exclaimed.
He laughed. “That is definitely one way to look at it.”
“There really is no other way to look at it. Your boss is a jerk.” She rested her hand on his and waited for his eyes to meet hers. “You’ll find something else. Something that you love just as much, if not more.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.” She smiled. “You always land on your feet. Like senior year when you were failing English and by the fourth quarter you were on the Dean’s List. Or the time you literally landed on your feet when you fell out of the tree after you and Milo made a bet to see who could climb higher.”
“I would’ve won if that bug didn’t fly at my face.”
Isla laughed. “Sure, blame it on the bug.”
“It attacked me.”
“You were in its space.”
“Are you really defending the bug?”
“Just saying.”
His eyes locked on hers, a smile spreading across his face. He was so close, closer than he’d been in a long time, and she missed him more than ever. Even though he was right in front of her, there for her to touch, the ache of missing him grew. She couldn’t touch him. Not anymore.
“The pizza should be here soon.”
She stood and throbbing pain shot through her foot. Her body swayed in an attempt to stop the pain. She threw her arms out, hoping to grab anything before she fell over. Strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she sighed a breath of relief as she shifted her weight to Nolan.
“I got you,” he said warm against her ear just before he bent down and scooped her into the strong hold of his arms.
A part of her thought to argue, but the part that missed him forced her lips shut. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest. “Thank you.”
She liked being an independent woman, but she also liked being able to share the burden with someone else. Nolan was here now, helping her shoulder the pain, and she was grateful.
He carried her to the living room and placed her on the old sofa. His head lingered near hers, their eyes crashing as the world zoomed in and out around them. His lips were close enough that she could feel the memory of them pressed against hers.
“Nolan,” she said, and his eyes blazed with distinguishable desire. She didn’t know why she said his name. Maybe to hold him there a little longer, or to find the guts to apologize again, beg him to forgive her. So many reasons, but every one floated away as she got lost in the deep blue depths of his eyes. “I’ve missed you.” The words came out on their own accord and hung between them like an invisible barrier, as if making them chose whether to side with caution or throw caution to the wind and follow the irresistible pull that was between them.
She knew what side she craved, but she’d been the one to drive him away. The ball wasn’t in her court anymore. It was firmly planted in his.
He cupped her cheek, and she nuzzled into the hand that had held her close so many times, wiped away her tears and turned her body to liquid fire with a single touch.
“Despite my best efforts, I missed you, too.”
She closed her eyes, absorbing the words, letting them spread through her like a blast of heat on a cold day.
His thumb moved over the apple of her cheek, and the soft press of his lips had her eyes clinging shut. For a second, she thought her imagination got the better of her, but even she couldn’t imagine something this good. She moaned against his mouth as he tilted her head and deepened the kiss.
Sparks flickered through her body, igniting a firestorm she never wanted extinguished. It had been too long since she’d felt this alive. She grappled for his shirt, holding him close, refusing to ever let go again.
Their mouths moved like old dance partners, coming together to tangle once more. They were natural and familiar, yet still full of the fiery passion that had once been there. That passion consumed her, overwhelming her senses as he came down on top of her.
The hard press of his erection was unmistakable through the layers of clothes between them. She lifted her hips, pushing against him, desperate to reconnect with the piece of her that had been missing since the day he left.
He pulled his lips from hers, and she whimpered. His forehead rested against hers, their breaths mixing as one. “Isla.” The intensity of his gaze had her sucking in a breath. “I—”
His words cut off at the knock at the door. His head fell along with any chance of satiating their desires. “Pizza’s here,” she said, cursing the pizza gods for always being on time.
“I’ll get it.” His heat lifted away from her, and disappointment consumed her.
He disappeared, and she heard the door opened. Crap. She was supposed to pay. She hopped onto one foot and made her way to the front door, grabbing her wallet off the table as she went.
She stumbled into the foyer, holding her wallet in the air. “It’s on me,” she declared.
Hal, the town’s very own Alice Cooper impersonator, as well as Milo’s employee, stood in the doorway. His long hair was pulled in a ponytail, and his eyes widened as Isla hobbled to the door.
“Hi Hal,” she said, handing him cash and waving him off when he tried to get change. “Not working for Milo tonight?”
“I’m doing both. Since I’m picking people up and dropping them off, I figured why not drop off pizzas, too.”
Hal had more side jobs than any person Isla had ever met. “Smart,” she said. “Have a good night.”
“You too. Happy to see you both are back together.”
Isla’s lips parted, but Hal was already to his van by the time she was able to get words out.
“We’re not together,” she said to Nolan instead. They might have been making out on the couch only moments ago, but it’s not like Hal knew that. There was no way he could have seen them.
“No,” Nolan said. “But if you go based on the looks of it.” He nodded to the mirror behind her, and she turned, only to be horrified by the reflection staring back at her. Even though they had only made out, her hair was a sex rumpled mess and her lip gloss was smeared across the corners of her mouth.
“Oh god,” she said. Nolan laughed, and she turned and swatted his chest. “This is so not funny. The rumor mill is going to be turning like crazy by morning.” They weren’t together, she didn’t think… No, it was just a kiss. But regardless, the town would speculate. They’d corner her, question her, and she’d have to say something. She couldn’t dodge them forever.
Nolan shrugged. “I’m used to powering the mill. Now I’m officially home.” He held the pizza box up. “Let’s eat.”
“Eat? How can we eat in a time like this? We need to come up with a plan. What we’re going to say to everyone.”
“I’m hungry, so I’m going to eat.”
“But!”
Nolan cut her objection off with a soul-melting smile. “Nothing can be worse than last time.”
She couldn’t argue with him there. “I guess you’re right.”
“We’ve weathered worse, and honestly, let them think what they want. We know the truth.”
She nodded, even if she wasn’t exactly sure what that truth was.