Chapter 11 Reese #2
As she sat there, going over the events of the last few days, she felt the urge to call Mauve.
She wanted to tell her everything that had transpired, but also felt a little nervous to do so.
She wasn’t sure what Mauve’s reaction would be.
She’d heard Reese talk about the boy who crushed her heart for years, and now he was back and Reese was falling for him all over again.
Mauve answered when Reese called, sounding slightly out of breath. “Hey, how are you? I was going to call you and see if you wanted to get together this afternoon. I need to do some Christmas shopping.”
“Are you walking Grits?”
“Yes. He’s on a tear this morning. I can barely keep up with him.”
Reese smiled, imagining the scrappy terrier mix charging through the snow.
Mauve had rescued Grits right after her divorce.
She thought of them as two wounded souls who’d found each other at exactly the right time.
The scruffy little dog was as suspicious and stubborn as Mauve herself, which was probably why they were perfect for each other.
“I’d love to meet you in town. We could check out the shops and maybe even take a few turns around the ice rink? ”
Mauve sighed. “Why is everyone in this town so obsessed with skating?”
“You’re getting better. Last year you didn’t fall nearly as much as the year before.”
“Maybe we just shop and go for pizza?”
“Whatever you want. But I want to see you. I have a lot to tell you.”
“Oh, God. I’m scared to hear,” Mauve said. “Does it involve a handsome stuntman?”
“How’d you know?”
“You’re my best friend. I know you.”
“Don’t judge, please,” Reese said, feeling suddenly vulnerable.
“You know me better than that. But I do worry.”
“You and me both.”
They agreed to meet in a few hours and hung up. Reese found herself feeling relieved. She shouldn’t have worried, though. Mauve was always in her corner, no matter who else was there too.
The city center was busy that afternoon with shoppers and families headed to the skating rink. The air was cold and crisp and smelled of grilled sausages from a street vendor near the ice rink.
Reese and Mauve walked arm in arm, peering into the shops while they chatted. They’d agreed to talk in detail about the Roan situation later, but for now they were simply enjoying each other’s easy company and the sparkle of Sugarville Grove during the holidays.
“I love this town at Christmas,” Mauve said, tugging her knit cap to cover her ears. “I’ll never tire of it.”
“Agreed. It always feels magical this time of year.”
They stopped in front of Clever Fox Books.
The window display featured a miniature winter village with tiny ice skaters and a Christmas tree made entirely of stacked books.
Laney Hayes was so clever. She was married to one of the Hayes brothers and now ran the bookstore while raising several little ones.
She and Nolan made the sweetest couple. Every time Reese saw them in town she felt a pinch of envy.
“Let’s go in,” Reese said. “I ordered a book last week and Laney said it would be in by now.”
“Yes, I want to get a few books for my nephew.”
The bookshop was warm and crowded, holiday music playing softly. Mauve headed to the children’s section while Reese went to the front counter to enquire about the mystery she’d ordered for an early Christmas gift to herself. Laney wasn’t there that afternoon, but the clerk found it for her.
Mauve was still browsing the children’s section, so Reese perused the romance section to see if there was anything interesting.
She found another two books for herself.
Her father had never approved of her reading romance.
She’d had to hide them under her mattress.
No more hiding now. She could read whatever she wanted.
She could also let Roan back into her life. Her choice now.
Soon, Mauve was ready with several picture books for her nephew. They paid at the counter and then headed back outside.
“Let’s grab a coffee,” Mauve said.
They headed into Bean Counters, ordered lattes, and then found a cozy corner to sit.
“All right, tell me everything,” Mauve said.
Reese filled her in on the details, including Roan’s confession to partially coming home for her. “He knew it was my studio when he bought the place from Wayne. He said he thought it was a sign that he should try and make amends.”
“Not sure how I feel about this,” Mauve said. “I’m the one person who knows how badly he hurt you.”
“I know. And that’s fair. But I hope you’ll give him a chance.”
“If it’s important to you, then I will,” Mauve said. “But the whole thing sounds kind of stalker-like.”
“I know it sounds that way. But it’s not.” Reese told her more of what Roan had told her about the end of his career and subsequent therapy.
Mauve listened carefully, nodding supportively, but Reese could see the worry reflected in her friend’s pretty blue eyes.
“I know, it’s a lot to take in,” Reese said.
“It is, yes,” Mauve said. “I mean, the way he left was a huge turning point in your life. You’ve never fully gotten over it. And now, he’s back—and all’s supposed to be forgiven?”
“It’s more complicated than that, obviously. But I want to give him a chance. I just do.”
“He’s obviously remorseful,” Mauve said. “So that makes me feel a little better.”
“Yeah, and there’s something else. My dad’s part in it all.” She paused for just a second. “He went to Roan and told him to leave town. He told him to ghost me for prom.”
Mauve’s mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. “Why would he do that?”
“He didn’t want Roan to move to New York with me. He thought Roan distracted me from my goals. So he told him that he’d call in Walter’s bank loan if Roan didn’t cooperate. Between that and his own feelings of inadequacy, Roan was convinced it was better for me if he left.”
“Your dad was super controlling, obviously, but this is …next level. I don’t even know what to say. Have you talked to your mom yet?”
“No. I don’t know if I should or not. She always put him on such a pedestal. I’m sure she’ll defend his actions. And, frankly, I don’t really care to hear her opinion.”
“You don’t have to. She hasn’t really earned that right anyway.” Mauve tossed her long blonde hair behind her shoulders. “I want to spend some time with Roan. See this infamous stuntman in action.”
“I could text him. See if he wants to meet us for skating and dinner?”
“We’re not skating,” Mauve said.
“We’ll see about that.”
Reese
My best friend and I are downtown. Want to join us for dinner?
Roan
Would love to. Can I bring Jason? We’re supposed to hang out tonight.
Reese
Sure. I’d like to see him. It’s been a long time.
Roan
He wants to see you too.
Reese
Meet us at the pizza place at 5?
Roan
We’ll be there.
She set aside her phone. “He and his brother will meet us at five.”
“Okay, don’t judge me, but that’s kind of exciting. You know I love his show. I hope I don’t act like an idiot.”
“I’ll give you the look if you’re embarrassing yourself,” Reese said, laughing.
“Good plan. Good plan.”