2. Faye
From the moment I saw Mark yesterday morning, I haven’t stopped thinking about him. How the hell did he become my neighbor?
What are the odds of us both being back here?
As I sip my morning coffee and try to get a handle on the day, I can’t help but recall the endless conversations from our past. He was adamant about leaving this small town and seeing the world. I can’t imagine him considering this place home once again.
Wait—If he’s here full time, why isn’t he living at his mom’s house?
That place is gorgeous and has the best views of the ocean.
I know some work was done on it a few years back.
Did they sell it? What does it mean that he’s returned, and why is he living next door?
Why the hell is thinking about him making my heart race like I’m back in high school? It’s been thirty years, for fuck’s sake. He shouldn’t have this type of impact on me. I’m a grown-ass woman, and we literally spoke for less than five minutes.
Sheesh, get it together, Faye .
I swear it was as if no time had passed when my eyes met his.
Tingles sprinted down my spine, and my heart fluttered uncontrollably.
Mark is the only man on earth who’s had that effect on me.
He’s also the only one I ever let make an impact like that.
Hell, I was with Corey for nearly a decade, and when things ended, I was happier to be rid of him than to mourn the loss of what we had.
Though that likely had more to do with the fact that he had been cheating on me.
Yeah, that’s certainly the case.
After I learned Mark got married, I put all my focus on finishing my degree and building my career. Then I was recruited as a cybersecurity analyst for a prominent firm that had me traveling across Europe frequently.
I didn’t have time to mourn the loss of our friendship or the life we could’ve had together, had I not insisted we break up. I met Corey right after grad school. He was just as ambitious as I was to further himself in his career, so it worked—until it didn’t.
Looking back, our relationship was more of convenience than of true love.
Maybe that’s why it never worked out?
As much as I’d wanted kids when I was younger, it was never the right time.
Or maybe I just never found the right person?
By the time I finished school, I spent my thirties with the wrong man, chasing my career. Then in my forties, I found myself again.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the life I live.
I have amazing friends and family and have traveled the world at a whim.
Now, instead of working for a corporate conglomerate, I’m an independent contractor. As long as there is internet, I can essentially work from anywhere in the world, and nothing ties me down.
That is, until my dad had his health scare last year.
I immediately returned to Seaside and have been here ever since. Sure, I still travel now and then, but this small town has once again become my home base.
With my siblings having families of their own, the flexibility of my schedule allows me to be there for my parents when they need it most. Between doctor appointments, physical therapy, cooking meals, and being here for emotional support, who knew parenting your parents could be more difficult than climbing a corporate career?
Thankfully, Dad has bounced back and is making a full recovery.
As I look out my window to the house next door, Mark’s parting words slice through my heart for the millionth time.
“I’m not letting you ghost me again.”
His tone was jovial, and the twinkle in his eye was his tell for an attempt to be lighthearted—some things never change. However, his directness hit just as hard. Mark’s never been one to mince words, and despite ghosting not even being a thing when it happened, it is, in fact, what I did.
As my eyes roam the two-story craftsman-style house next door, I can tell that in the time I’ve been away, Mark has made some upgrades. Not only is there a fresh coat of paint, but it looks as if he’s replaced all the windows and created an enclosed porch with a custom gate.
Does he have pets?
Is he still in the Air Force?
Maybe he’s finally retired.
What does it mean that he’s returned to Seaside?
I still can’t believe Mark, of all people, moved in next door without me knowing.
Millions of questions fly through my mind as I stare at the house next door. He’s made that charming rental house into a home. Does this mean he’s in Seaside for good?
A loud knock at my door jolts me out of my reverie and makes my heart race.
It’s seven in the morning; who would be here at this time of day?
Uh… You saw Mark much earlier than this yesterday, I chastely remind myself as I run a hand through my hair and bolt toward the door.
Breathless, I rush to the entry. Pausing for the briefest of moments, I compose myself before eagerly swinging the door open.
Only to be met by no one.
What the hell?
That’s when I hear the distinct sound of a delivery truck door rolling before slamming shut from the street, and my heart sinks.
Looking at my feet, I finally see the package laying on the porch.
Chuckling to myself, I bend to retrieve it, then look around to see if anyone witnessed me acting the fool.
Thank God, I get to keep this incident to myself.
“That’s what you get for being so worked up over that man,” I muse at myself before returning to my morning coffee.
My body vibrates from that short burst of adrenaline, and it’s obvious coffee is the last thing I need. Just the thought of Mark is enough to make me wired. If I finish this cup, I’ll be jumping at every sound I hear.
Taking my mug to the kitchen, I dump the rest in the sink, rinse it out, and put it in the dishwasher.
Knowing I’ll never survive the day sitting around, waiting on a call from Mark, I make a split decision and reach for my phone and dial the number I’ve had memorized my entire life.
Three rings later, I rush out, “Want to meet up for breakfast?” before they can even say hello.
A deep chuckle comes through the phone. “Good morning to you, too, sweet girl.”
“Sorry, Dad. Too much coffee… Obviously. But you’re the only one I know who’s up this early. Want to meet me at the diner?”
“Hmmm… Your mom’s still sleeping…” Dad pretends to mull over my proposition.
“Got a better offer?” I tease, knowing he’s got nothing planned today. He’s been told to take it easy and has been going stir-crazy for quite some time.
“I suppose we could meet up… if you keep your mouth quiet about my hankering for bacon.”
“Deal. See you in twenty?” I quickly agree.
“Ha. What’s the rush, Faye?”
“Can’t a girl be hungry?” I counter, not wanting to get into it with him.
Besides, there’s not much to say. What would I tell him?
I ran into Mark. We spoke for what… five minutes?
Oh, and Dad, Mark’s got me so worked up, I’m jumping at every sound in my house, I can’t concentrate for shit, and I need to get the hell out of Dodge just to stop thinking about him.
Yeah, I’m not going there with Dad. He always liked Mark, but as far as he’s concerned, that ship sailed years ago.
But a morning with Dad could distract me.
“While we’re out, want to run some errands with me?”
“What type of errands?” he counters hesitantly. “I’m not up for aimlessly traipsing from shop to shop, like you and your mother enjoy.”
“I won’t torture you like that,” I promise. “But I know you never miss going to the hardware store. I need a bracket for that shelf in the bathroom, and Mom asked me to pick up some things for her at the grocery store.”
“Okay, kiddo,” Dad muses. “You’ve twisted my arm. I’ll see you in twenty.”
Before I can say another word, he disconnects the call.
Shaking my head, I rush to my room with one hope in mind: Will this distraction be enough to keep me from thinking about the man next door ?