Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Drea
Two weeks later
I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the signing and everything that had happened afterward. The signing itself was a success, and I was thankful to have Kaia back.
It also felt really fucking good to be honest with her and open up a little bit about my past. I could tell she appreciated it and knew I was serious about how much she meant to me.
Things hadn’t been the same since she’d left, and I was proud of her for standing up and telling me how stupid I had been.
I promised to work hard and show her more than tell her how much I appreciated her, starting with letting her run the store alone for two weeks. But the events after the signing…
I couldn’t believe Blair had left, again. I mean, I could, but not in the way she did. I was blinded by my love for her, and I hadn’t thought to question any part of what was going on.
I’d hoped it meant we were going to work things out, but clearly I was wrong. I couldn’t blame her for walking out on me again, though. I deserved it. I had made her feel the same way when I’d spoken to Cara, and it was only fair that I got a taste of my own medicine.
I was packing up my office to head out to catch my flight. I wasn’t taking anything related to work this time. I desperately needed a break, and I knew Kaia could handle the store. I made sure to take the key to my drawer. Poor Kaia didn’t need to know what was in there.
I was heading home to Portland to visit my family. One week with my mother and sisters, one week with my father.
When I left my office, Kaia was talking with Daisy at the counter. It looked like they were making plans to go to the movies, or something involving ducks? My sign language was still a little rusty, and the person Kaia had hired to teach the class wasn’t starting for another month.
“Do you have everything you need? You have my number, you have access to the cameras, and you have the emergency numbers, right?” I asked Kaia as she rolled her eyes at me.
“Drea, yes, I will be fine! If you didn’t think I could do it, why did you hire me back?”
I sighed. “Of course I know you can do it. I’m just nervous. I’ve never been away from the store for this long. Two weeks is a long time, but I trust you.”
“Good! Go, enjoy your trip.”
I planned to. I needed to get out of Seattle for a little while. Everywhere I went reminded me of Blair, and I needed to clear my head. I hadn’t given up on us yet, but I thought some space would be good for both of us.
I’d respected her wishes and hadn’t tried to contact her. According to Kaia, she’d left town shortly after the book signing, and she wouldn’t tell me where she went. As long as someone knew where she was, I was happy.
It wasn’t unusual for her to skip town after a signing, or so I was told. From what Cara had told me, she used that time to get inspiration and regroup. I never asked where she would go, because at the time, I didn’t care. Now I wished I would have asked. I just needed to know she was okay.
I hadn’t heard from Cara, so I didn’t know if she was speaking with Blair again or not. I decided it was best to give everyone space. Maybe after my trip I would try to reach out, when the wounds weren’t as fresh.
“I will try. Let me know if you need anything, and tell Daisy to keep an eye on you.”
She blushed, turning to tell Daisy what I’d said, and I left the store nervously. I had to put more faith in Kaia and show her that I trusted her. At least I knew I could trust her not to have sex in my store. That was exactly why Fallon was never allowed to be in charge while I was away.
Since the book signing, I had been away from the store a little more, but I still managed to stay nearby if Kaia needed anything.
The store had been picking up a little in recent weeks, and Kaia said she needed help. It was nice to see that even as part owner of the store, she still wanted to be present and work on the floor, but I needed to remember to give her an office.
I stopped at Brewed Awakening before the drive for liquid encouragement, and Rylee was shocked when I didn’t get my regular order.
I had been ordering the same chai latte with cinnamon since I moved to Seattle, but now it just reminded me too much of Blair.
I’d made the mistake of asking about her and if she ever came in there. The look Rylee had given me was filled with sympathy and irritation.
I apologized again for that night. She had heard every horrible thing I’d said about Blair, and I could tell she still remembered.
She told me that yes, Blair sometimes went in, and no, she didn’t ask about me. Of course not. Why would she?
The drive to the airport was forty-five minutes, but it was going by pretty quickly. It was raining a little, but as I got closer, it started to pick up, and visibility became a little more difficult.
I was in my own world, thinking about my parents, my sisters, Blair, and the store, and I hadn’t noticed I was going twenty miles over the limit.
A flash of lightning pulled me from my thoughts, but not quick enough, because when my eyes focused, it was too late as I got closer and closer to the back of a semi-truck. Then everything went dark…