Chapter 13 #2
There’s never been enough room to breathe here. Thinking I could change might’ve been foolish. But what if it’s possible to win him over? I walk into the back and grab a dustpan and broom. Sweeping up non-existent refuse, I stew. This is what I ran from after college.
Expectations, the opinions of others, were so loud that I stopped hearing my inner voice.
Ultimatums and guilt trips circle my head like birds in a cartoon.
The desire to leave burns in my chest. The only time my life has truly belonged to me was outside of the limits of Chance Falls.
Disgusted with myself for folding, I turn on my heels and clean with extra vigor.
I sift through the mail on the counter gathered the day before. The moments of peace achieved at the lantern festival are a thing of the past. I let the attraction between Korren and me distract me. I can’t continue to do that.
The doorbell rings. Shoulders tensing, I brace myself to entertain my parents again. The blonde is a shock.
“Korren.” Speak of the devil.
“I told your parents I’d come to see you.”
“But it’s your day. You should be at Reel—”
He walks over and takes my hand. “No. It’s our day. I couldn’t have accomplished any of this without you.” He squeezes. My mouth dries out. He’s including me.
“I know you have a business to run, and since my uncle’s there, I had no trouble coming to you. This place is equally important.”
His words war with the soundtrack playing in my head. He makes me feel like I’m right where I need to be.
“Phil?” Eyes narrowed and lips pressed into a straight line he studies me.
The sound of my real name coming from his lips shocks me back into the present. “Sorry, I drifted for a minute there.” I smile bashfully.
“I noticed.” He fidgets with the zipper on his olive-green zip-up. “I wanted to thank you.”
“There’s no need. You paid me.”
He continues to ignore me. “I wanted to show my appreciation for all you did for my store.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small figurine.
I stare at the tiny woman.
“Since we share this passion, it felt fitting. You said you’d missed it. I thought she could help you get back into it outside of our campaign.”
He thrust the piece toward me. I take it gingerly.
“Korren, she’s beautiful.” The curvy, brown-skinned beauty with the black hair even has my long-striped birthmark. Her full lips look like mine, and her blue jeans overalls feature tiny silver wrenches. “I can’t believe it. You created this?”
“That depends on whether or not you like it.”
“I love it.” Bringing it to my heart, I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt so seen. This man has a knack for knowing exactly what I need.
“Good. It took me weeks to get the details correct. She needs a place to live, though.”
“You remembered,” I whisper.
“About the Victorian mansion piece that resembles your dream home, you keep stored in your workroom, but are afraid to complete? Yes.”
I smile. “Maybe it is time I put her together.” I might not create the family I always dreamed of having live there with me, but I can start building the perfect space for mini me. “Thank you, I needed this.”
He frowns. “Rough morning?”
“You have no idea. It’s much improved now.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
I hesitate. “Can I show you a fresh addition I’m thinking about for the store?”
“Uh oh, you’ve got those twinkle eyes again. This is going to be good.” He trails me to the counter, and I pull out the notebook with a shaky hand.
“Remember the makers section I mentioned?” I ask nervously.
“Yeah.” The excitement in his tone puts me at ease.
“I started working on a hypothetical logistics system.” I peer at him from beneath my lashes.
He leans in to study the diagram. Our bodies brush. “Why do you sound hesitant? This all looks great.”
“What if it doesn’t take off?” I hate the doubt in my voice.
He shrugs. “Then you tweak it. Worst-case scenario, you phase it out.”
“Just like that?” I snap my fingers.
His face turns serious. He reaches out and places his hand over mine. “It’s not life or death, Pepper. You’re allowed to get things wrong and pivot.”
I exhale. “You’re right.”
He closes his eyes. “Say it again.”
“Stop.” I shove him playfully.
He covers my hand with his, holding it to his chest. His heart thumps quickly under my palm. “You’re an incredibly talented woman with brilliant ideals. But no one is perfect. Nor should they strive to be. What you bring to the table is enough.” His words speak to my wounds and deepest fears.
He is the sunshine I nicknamed him for. Unable to put my feelings into words, I rise, brushing my lips against his. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“I thought we weren’t doing that anymore.” He licks his lips. “You taste like s’mores.”
“Lip gloss. And friends kiss each other to say thank you.”
“Not on the lips.”
“Maybe we’re a different kind of friend.”
“What kind, exactly?” His voice deepens.
“I’m not sure.”
“We should figure that out.” He brings my hand up to his mouth and kisses my palm. Reaching into his back pocket, he places a cool plastic rectangle in my hand and closes it around it.
“I should get back to the store now.” He steps away, and I open my hand to see the labeled membership card. “Grumpy Carpenter.”
“I will burn your store down out of spite, you know.”
He laughs. “Good thing you can help me restore it then, huh?” He leaves with laughter and the ringing of the shop bell.
I can’t deny the magnetic pull between us any longer, and it terrifies me.