9. Kristen
9
KRISTEN
Leisurely Saturday mornings are my favorite. With a mug of coffee in hand I go downstairs to reevaluate the layout of the store. I spoke with my realtor and canceled the listing. It wasn’t just what the girls said about Seth and having regrets. But the idea that my grandmother’s legacy would just disappear. She left me her favorite place in the whole wide world and I intend to revive it.
At some point, I’ll run into Seth. It’s a smalltown after all. For now, I’m going to focus on the store and trying to get a rental house or apartment. Sleeping on the pullout upstairs is not ideal.
I’m deep into cleaning mode when the bell chimes. The duo whom I fully expected to avoid me enter.
Riley runs to greet me. “We brought you cake!” she squeals as she jumps up and down. She shows me her pink cake pop with colorful sprinkles and takes the box from her dad to give to me.
“Thanks, Riley!” I take the cake and eye Seth.
His stuffs his hands in his pockets. He’s avoiding my eye contact. I want to ask him about the other day but Riley is talking a million words a minute. I don’t know if she’s taken a single breath since she walked in. I smile as she continues chatting.
“Daddy says you don’t, but I think you might, and so do you have more dinosaur books that I can read?” her eyes are wide as she waits for me to respond.
“Actually, I found more this week,” she pumps her little fist into the air and lets out a loud “yes”. “They’re over by the green chair in the corner. Do you remember?”
She nods and asks Seth if she can get more books.
“Of course.” he’s barely finished speaking before she runs off. “Don’t run Riley,” he shouts but she’s already gone.
“I think you’re going to end up with a home library entirely made up of dinosaur books.” I laugh as I set the cake down on the counter. “Did you come just for the books?”
“To tell you the truth, Riley wanted to ask you about the books.” He steps closer to me. “But I wanted to bring cake and apologize in person for being a jerk the other day.”
“Chocolate does solve everything. You’re forgiven.” I place my hand on his arm and lower my voice so Riley couldn’t possibly hear me. “I know Riley is your world. I wouldn’t want to hurt her.” I close my eyes. “I’m just not great with relationships.”
He chuckles and murmurs my name.
Seth cups my face, his hands are warm against my skin. My body is like putty in his hands, my shoulders relax under his touch. It’s hard to imagine living in Kastle Harbor and not pursuing a relationship with him. Knowing how much I want him, more than just for incredible sex, I want to earn his trust back. I’ll work my way to good friend and then, if it’s right, maybe we can get a second chance.
Or is it third chance now?
“I’ve been hesitant to say anything because of our history, but I’ve never stopped loving you, Kristen.” My heart flutters as he continues, “I know you have a life in California and a job you love but I couldn’t let you leave without telling you how I feel.”
I let my head fall against his chest. I stare at the ground. My mouth is as dry as the Sahara and I can barely hear anything over the sound of my heart pounding in my chest.
Maybe timing really is everything.
“I’m not leaving, Seth. I cancelled the listing. I’m going to takeover the bookstore. It’s what my grandmother would’ve really wanted.”
“Are you sure? That’s a lot of changes,” he hesitantly asks, voice wavering with each word.
I look up into his face. I may have decided to stay to take over the store, but I’m greedy. I want Seth, too.
“I put in my notice to my job, booked a moving company, and talked to the realtor about rentals in the area. I’m staying in Kastle Harbor.” I search his bright green eyes for any glimmer of hope or desire.
“You’re going to live in Kastle Harbor?” I can’t help but grin at his question.
“Live, work, and maybe even date.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when he kisses me. At first, it’s quick and hungry, like he’s afraid I’ll vanish at any moment. But I lean into it as his hands go to my lower back and pull me in closer.
Suddenly, there’s an excited shriek. Lost in the moment we clearly both forgot that Riley was in the store. We pull away as quickly as possible, but it’s clear she saw us kissing. She’s in a fit of giggles.
“Does this mean you can come to family dinner now?” She pulls on Seth’s shirt hem as she asks. We both eye each other and erupt in laughter. Seth lifts her into his arms and tells her that we have to ask her mom first.
For the first time in a long time, it feels as if I have a family once again. I lean back against the counter and watch the two squabble about the number of books Riley wants to take home.
Second chances are hard to come by and I’m grateful I’ve received one in the form of a goofy hunk who happens to have the cutest dino loving six-year-old who wants me to join them for lasagna and garlic bread.