30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
Nick
“I’m going to head out and get some lunch,” Mom says, slipping off her apron. “Is that okay? I should be back around one, I think.”
“Meeting up with Vince?” I ask nonchalantly, noting that she’s a little more dressed up than usual.
She blushes. “Yeah, I sure am.”
“Well,” I smile. “I hope you have a great time. You deserve it.”
Mom appears to be beaming as she hangs up her apron and squeezes my shoulder, passing me by. “I happen to think that you deserve to find your person, too.”
I thought I did…
“Maybe one of these days,” I say instead. “Can’t put a timeline on love—or however that saying goes.”
Mom laughs softly. “You’re a wise man. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“See ya,” I say as she exits the store, the door shutting behind her with a clang. I stand behind the counter for a few moments, feeling happy for my mom. Although I struggled at first with the thought of her being with anyone other than my dad, as time has gone by—and I’ve grown up some—I know that Dad would want her to be happy.
And he’d want the same for me.
I brush off the thought, mostly because I am happy. It’s only Eliza that’s got my head in a twist. I grab the clipboard from the wall with the list of things that need to be done today. There’s not a lot, and most are just general cleaning. Sighing, I set it down on the counter.
It’s been a slow day.
Just as I’m about to slip off to the back to grab the lunch that I packed myself, the door jingles.
“Hey, man,” the potential customer greets me as soon as he walks through the door.
I turn around to see who it is, not recognizing the voice. The man’s eyes go wide. He looks startled to see me, but I don’t even recognize him. He’s wearing a suit, which stands out in a town like this. In fact, the guy looks like he’s right out of the catalog that my mom gets in the mail for formal clothes. Why she gets those? I still don’t know.
“What can I help you with, sir?” I say as he approaches the counter, a blank expression on his face now .
“Um, well, I was hoping to get some directions to this address.” He slides a piece of paper across the counter. “My GPS on my phone isn’t bringing it up.”
“Yeah, that happens out here,” I say, plucking the paper up and taking a look. My heart sinks, and I glance back up at the guy. I’m not one hundred percent positive, but I have a feeling the blonde-headed man standing in front of me is the same man that I’ve been slightly jealous of for a few months now.
Devon.
“So, do you know where it is?” There’s an edge to his tone that makes my hair stand on end. “I have a good feeling you do.”
“Yeah, I do.” My voice shifts to a gruff tone. “Not meaning to be nosy”—I slide the paper back to him—“but what do you need with it?”
“Well,” he clears his throat and straightens up. “My girlfriend has been staying there.”
“You mean, your ex -girlfriend,” I clarify, completely unphased by the arrogant jerk. I know his type, and I can’t believe that Eliza wasted her heart on a guy like this.
“Yeah, she is right now, but I’m here to win her back. I was the one who broke her heart, and she begged me to stay. But I’m ready to settle down and be who she needs,” he says, his tone matter of fact. “She’ll be elated to see me, I know.”
I raise my brows. “Are you sure? She might be over you by now.”
He laughs sardonically. “Funny you should say that. I talked to her friend Amy about the pictures she put on her cute little photography page. I know you two are just friends. A woman like her is way out of your caliber, bud. She’s not made for some rinky-dink town like this.”
I don’t even know what to say, but most of me wants to jump across the counter at him. “I think she likes it here.”
“She belongs in Chicago … with me. ” Devon meets my gaze, his brown eyes seeming almost black. “I know I messed up when I let her go. So, I’m going to make it right, and she’s going to be thrilled when she sees this.” He digs into his suit pocket, pulling out a little black box.
I stare at the massive diamond as he flips it open, and for the first time, my heart actually hurts. Eliza was heartbroken over Devon. I know she wanted to settle down with him, and he didn’t. So, would this fix it for her? Would she go back if he asked?
Surely not.
“Don’t look too down.” Devon’s voice dips, and I look up from the counter where I was just zoning out. “I get it … she’s the kind of girl who wraps you around her finger with her laugh, and while she might not be what the world defines as beautiful, she’s the most beautiful woman in the world to me.”
The comment is a little confusing, but I just nod. “She’s a really special person.”
“She is,” Devon agrees, and I’m stuck trying to decide if I still feel like punching him, or if it’s just the heartache talking .
It’s clear the guy makes more money than I’ll ever have, just based on the cuff links he’s wearing. Not to mention, I know good and well that the women around here would be drooling all over him.
And for the first time in my life, I feel inferior to someone.
“Anyway, could you give me the directions?” Devon asks, his voice much friendlier now. “I just wanna talk to her.”
“Yeah, sure,” I say, the wheels turning in my head. Suddenly, all I hear are sirens in my brain.
I need to tell Eliza how I feel before this guy gets to her.
I just need her to know…
Just in case.
I know it’s a long shot. But I’ve been holding back my true feelings for her long enough. I can’t let fear stop me anymore. She needs to know how much she means to me. And I need to let her know before it’s too late—before she makes a decision that could change everything. Before she lets Devon back into her life.
“So, it’s actually on the other side of town,” I begin, pulling out a map from the bottom counter, and then proceed to give him the absolute longest route to get there. “You’ll want to watch out for the construction here.” I point on the map.
“This town is a nightmare,” Devon grumbles, smoothing his suit as he picks up the map. “Thanks though.”
“No problem,” I say, feeling just a tiny ping of guilt.
I mean, I kind of feel bad for leading the guy on a wild goose chase, but then again, this guy had years to lock Eliza down, and he never did .
Which is why I have to tell her how I feel. Right now.
Because Eliza deserves someone who will fight for her. And that person is me.
Love is worth the risk.
As soon as Devon’s Mercedes pulls out and heads off down the street, I close up the shop, leaving a note for my mom. I slide into the driver’s seat of my truck, knowing that I don’t have a lot of time, and proceed to fly across town, taking all the shortcuts that I know. However, as I pull into the driveway, I note that the truck is gone. Eliza’s car is there, though.
I knock on the front door, rubbing my hands together to try and warm them up. It’s freezing out, and I left my coat back at the store. When no one answers the door, I peek around back, seeing the door to the workshop is open. I jog across the light layer of snow, and push the door open a little wider.
“Eliza?” I call out, taking in the mess of the workshop. There’s wood everywhere, and I chuckle at the sight, not really sure what to make of it. I don’t see anything newly built, but I don’t really look that hard, either. I just need to find Eliza.
I step a little further into the shop and notice a piece of paper laying out on the counter. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I lean over, my heart jumping into my throat.
To the man who holds my heart,
I’m sorry for everything that’s happened between us—
I stop there, running my fingers through my hair. I don’t want to read any more of the letter. It’s clear who she’s writing about…
And it’s not me.
Shaking my head, I make my way to the door, determined not to look around any further. Whatever she was making was probably for Devon.
Lucky him.
I brush the thought away as I step outside and shut the door behind me. As I turn to head back to the truck, I nearly run right into poor Ms. Marilyn, who has a wild look on her face.
“Oh … Nick…”
“Hey, sorry,” I mutter, stepping around her. “I was just looking for Eliza, but it’s okay.”
She grabs my arm. “Did you see—”
“I saw the letter, yeah,” I say, avoiding her gaze. “I shouldn’t have even looked at it. Don’t tell her that I saw it, please.”
“Are you okay?” Granny now sounds confused. “I figured you’d have a little different reaction to it…”
“Uh.” I shrug my shoulders. “I guess I’m happy for her or whatever. I just want her to be happy and if being with him is what makes her happy, then so be it. I saw him at the hardware store, he’s got a big ole diamond ring for her. He says he’s finally gonna make it right with her.”
“…what?”
“Yeah, he’ll be here soon. I sent him around the long way or whatever in hopes that I could talk to Eliza beforehand, but I think I’m just gonna go. I don’t want to cause any drama or anything like that.”
“Nick…” Her voice trails off as I head across the yard, not looking behind me. It’s kind of rude of me to leave her hanging like that, but honestly, my heart is wrecked.
I’ve got freaking moisture pooling up in my eyes, and I haven’t had that happen since my father died.
I don’t cry over women.
I don’t cry at all.
But as I rip my truck door open, a few let loose. I wipe them away, both furious and irritated that I ever let myself fall so in love with Eliza Willis. I should’ve taken all the hints, and never read into anything.
My truck roars down the street and I pass Eliza coming back to Granny’s. She waves big, but I ignore it.
For once in my life, I’m just not in the mood to force myself to be friendly.
I just want to be alone .