Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Carson
I snap my head back to her door, my heart pounding.
Kelsie is back, after all these years.
I never truly believed I would see her again.
We had been each other's first love, our passion and connection intense and all-consuming. But after she left for the city, I had no choice but to move on. I got married, had a child, built a life. But deep down, I always held onto a small flame for Kelsie, the girl who had stolen my heart.
And now, she is here, sleeping in the room next to mine. How am I going to handle this? I want to tell her everything, to pour out all of my emotions that have been pent up for so long. But I know that the words won't mean anything to her right now.
She has built a life without me, and I can't just expect her to drop everything for me.
Despite everything, when she walked up my front porch steps… in just seconds, I had fallen for her all over again.
I have no idea how long she will staying, but my focus is showing her how much I still care for her while she is here. If she chooses to walk away a second time, I’ll be gutted, but at least I’ll know I did my part.
I go out to the kitchen to start dinner. Collin is in the living room with our dog watching television. As soon as her brother called to let me know she was on her way, I ran to the store and bought the ingredients to make her favorite dish. It’s one her mom used to make every birthday. Now, I’m no professional, and certainly not as good of a cook as her mom, but the thought has to count for something, right?
I put the pot of water on the stove and turn the burner on high while I make the Alfredo sauce from scratch. Growing up, I spent so much time over at their house that honestly I can make it in my sleep. Butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, but her mom adds garlic, salt, pepper, and a little Italian seasoning… and it is orgasmic.
I simmer the butter and cream in a large saucepan, and mix in the garlic and seasonings. I add the pasta to the boiling water, and then add the final ingredient into the sauce, parmesan cheese.
I stir the sauce, lost in memories. My fingers trembled slightly on the wooden spoon, betraying my nerves. I sure hope it’s good, but I don’t dare try it yet.
Soft footsteps pad down the hallway and freeze, my breath catches. Kelsie appears in the doorway, her chestnut hair tousled from what looks like a short nap, those familiar green eyes still hazy with drowsiness. It’s so weird having her here, and it’s going to take a little time to get used to having a woman in the house again.
“Hey, something smells amazing.” She walks into the kitchen and pulls herself up and sits on the counter next to the stove where I’m finalizing the vegetables.
I swallow hard, willing my voice to remain steady when I notice just how short her shorts are now. They are pushed up high so even more of her body is exposed and I gulp. “Just whipping up some dinner. Thought you might be hungry after your trip.”
She peers into the pot. A small smile curves her lips as recognition dawned. “Is that…?”
I nod, a flush creeping up my neck. “Your mom's recipe. Well, my attempt at it anyway.”
Kelsie's eyes meet mine. For a moment, I am transported back in time, to lazy Sunday afternoons in her mother's kitchen, stealing kisses between stirring the sauce and chopping vegetables. And then the years melt away, and for a moment, we are those two kids again, full of possibility.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
The spell is broken by Collin's excited shout from the living room. “Dad! Come quick! Rusty's doing that funny thing again!
”
Kelsie chuckles.
“Sounds like I'm missing out on some quality entertainment.”
I grin, grateful for the distraction. “Care to join us? Fair warning though, once Collin gets going, it's hard to escape.”
She hesitates for a heartbeat, then nods. “Lead the way.”
As we walk to the living room, I pray that somehow, we find our way back to each other again.
Collin is sprawled on his stomach, chin propped in his hands as he watches our Australian shepherd, Rusty, chase his tail in ever-tightening circles. The dog's antics elicits laughter from my son.
“Kelsie and I heard all the commotion in here. What’s going on?”
Kelsie crouches down to pet Rusty. “Hi there. Aren’t you the cutest thing ever?”
My son's eyes dart between us, his brow furrowed. “Are you the lady from Dad's pictures?”
Heat floods my cheeks as Kelsie's eyebrows arch and she turns to look at me.
I'd forgotten about the old photo album tucked away in my bedside drawer. Collin must have stumbled upon it during one of his curious explorations.
Before I can stammer out a response, Rusty bounds over, his tail wagging furiously as he sniffs at Kelsie's outstretched hand.
She laughs, and scratches behind the dog's ears.
“Someone doesn’t get enough attention, does he?” she coos, and Rusty flops onto his back, tongue lolling out in bliss.
The tension in the room dissipates. As she and Collin bond over Rusty's tricks, I slip back to the kitchen, my mind reeling.
The pasta is al dente, the sauce thick and ready to go.
As I drain the noodles, Kelsie's laughter mingles with Collin's chatter.
This is something I can get used to.
I close my eyes, inhaling deeply.
The rich aroma of garlic and herbs transports me back to lazy summer evenings on Kelsie's back porch. The memory is so vivid I can almost feel the press of her lips against mine, taste the sweetness of her mouth...
A timer dings, yanking me back to the present. I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of nostalgia. Kelsie is here now, in my home, laughing with my son. Whatever happens next, I know one thing for certain: my carefully constructed world is never be the same again.