10. Chapter Ten #2
“We can’t let that happen. Right? I mean, everyone has memories there.
Tell me a single person in that town who doesn’t have an amazing memory that took place at that very shop.
” Her hands are on her hips now, which is both bad news and good news.
The bad news is that she has totally derailed our day, which on the surface doesn’t seem like a big deal, but deep down, I know this fixation will lead her into a spiral of stress and anxiety I would like to avoid if possible.
I don’t want my girl to feel that way, and time is running out for me to avert this situation and keep us on track for a great day.
But on the other hand, it’s good to know that my family still means so much to her.
And the memories she’s talking about include me.
However, it’s not enough reason for me to let her go down this path of destruction until she’s sobbing about a future that isn’t carved in stone, making herself sad and puffy-faced.
“Luna, I can promise you that my parents will figure it out when the time comes. For all we know, they won’t retire until they have grandkids who are old enough to want to take it over.
It’s not like there is a retirement cap for bakery owners.
They can do what they want. Just look at Miss Rose.
She’s practically running her own section of it, and I don’t see her slowing down anytime soon. ”
She bites her lip. “I guess that is a possibility. And it’s true about Miss Rose. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Right. And even though Wilder is working on that restaurant, there is always the possibility that he might take Sweet and Salty and hire a manager to run it. I’m not sure what will happen.”
Her lip starts to tremble again. Like this, vulnerable and sweet, she’s like a child. No, not exactly like a child, but it’s the same softness and pure innocence a child has when something they love is in jeopardy. And it makes me say something completely, totally stupid.
“What if you’re wrong though? What if something happens and they decide to up and sell it to some…some stranger?”
“I doubt they would do that, but if it means that much to you, I’ll buy it for you.
I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to it,” I say.
Lord help me, I don’t know how I’d run a bakery and design apps and games at the same time, but if it’s what she wants, I’ll find a way.
Even though I don’t see it happening for a long time. I hope.
Luna stops sniffling. She stops crying. Her lips part and she blinks a few times, clearing her vision. A small huff of breath escapes her lips before she says, “You would do that for me?”
Um? Yes? I thought I had established with this trip that I would do anything for her, but clearly, once again, my intentions seem to have been lost in translation.
“Luna, I would do absolutely anything for you. It’s always been that way, and always will be, even if I’m terrible at letting you know that.”
She swallows hard and wipes her cheeks. “I’m so silly. I’m crying over the sale of a bakery that hasn’t happened, and like you said, probably won’t for a long time.”
I chuckle and relax a little. “To be fair, I do understand where you’re coming from.”
Luna reaches her arms around my neck and pulls me into a hug. “It means a lot to me that you would buy it for me. I’m starting to see everything I was so blind to before.”
My heart pinches, knowing that, for who knows how long, she thought differently about my intentions. I thought she knew how much I loved her, that I would pack up everything I owned and move to Chatswain with her if that’s what she had wanted.
She didn’t seem to want me to. So I didn’t offer.
And I didn’t ask.
Her hug lessens and she releases my neck, but slides her hands down my arms to take mine. “Ready to go for a walk?”
I smile and chuckle. “You said hike, which implies some degree of difficulty over mere walking.”
“I’m not sure I have the emotional stability to handle a full-on hike with you. I remember those, and if I’m honest, I might have been a little overzealous with my list. Let’s settle for a nice walk on the shore like you said.”
“Your wish is my command,” I say and start to lead her toward the door. “Might want to bring an umbrella just in—”
“Rafe?” she interrupts.
I look down at her, our hands still clasped together. “Yeah?”
“Thank you for this. Thank you for pushing us into the future with this gesture. For bringing me here where we can reconnect and figure out what to do next without our everyday lives putting pressure on us.”
I wiggle one hand free, brush a stray tear from her cheek that she missed, and tuck her hair behind her ear, cupping her face.
“Luna, I love you. I’ve loved you since high school.
I never loved a girl before you, and I’m never going to love anyone else.
I’m not good at showing it, but there has never been a time that I wouldn’t die for you, lay down everything I have for you, just to be near you. ”
She squeezes her eyes shut again and leans her forehead against my chest. I slip my hand around to the back of her head and keep her close to me.
My heart pounds. Could this be the moment she finally realizes the truth?
Should I tell her about the house and the ring and my plan for our future?
No, not yet. I have to let her feel confident in us again before throwing all of that on her.
“You’re nervous,” she whispers and presses her palm to my chest, just over my heart.
“My whole world is here in my arms, and I’m afraid I’ll lose it forever if I don’t hold on tight enough. I’m scared, Luna,” I admit. “I say the wrong thing a lot. I’m afraid I’ll ruin this and never see you again once we leave this island.”
Luna breathes me in, long and deep, before looking up at me again.
I know that look. It’s the one she gets when she’s decided something and there is no changing her mind.
It’s pure, untethered determination, and when the woman puts her focus on something, she doesn’t let go until she’s accomplished whatever she’s put her mind to.
It’s the look she gave me when she told me she was moving to Chatswain City without me.
“I’m not going anywhere, Rafe.” She pauses, but I know there is more. She’s laser-focused, her gaze locked in on mine. “I’m coming back home.”