Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
JOANNA
The only way to mend what I’ve broken is to go straight to the source. I need to talk to Aidan, but there’s one other problem I want to fix first.
Along with carrying the weight of my feelings for Aidan, something else has been adding to the load—how shitty I was to Simone.
We may not be close enough to consider ourselves friends yet, but I could have walked into the coffee shop any time and apologized to her, and I never did, so that’s on me.
I need to wipe the slate clean so we can start over again, which means no longer giving excuses for my actions.
I don’t know what the story is between her and Casey, but it wasn’t my place to bring it up.
I don’t know if she’ll ever trust me, but I can at least let her know I feel remorse for my actions.
Before stepping inside Double Double, I stop and take a look at myself in the reflection of the window.
There are several customers inside mingling and waiting for their orders at the counter.
Looming over the happy and casual scene is my distressed face on the glass.
I look out of place among the small town camaraderie—I always have—but especially now.
Kiki and her husband Twitty are inside, exchanging lively conversation with Mavis Bleaker, the town gossip and self-acclaimed psychic. Layton is behind the espresso machine, and I worry I’ve missed Simone, but then I see her in the corner, smiling and laughing at something Kiki has just said.
I don’t have the option of doing this over the phone, so I take a deep breath and gather my courage.
I push through the door, hoping the bell doesn’t draw too much attention, and luckily for me, everyone is occupied.
I slip past the two customers in line and quietly make my way over to the small group I’ve been spying on.
They’re clustered in front of the bathroom, Simone with her purse dangling by her side, waiting for the polite moment to excuse herself while Kiki and Mavis blather about animatedly.
Twitty looks much more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him as he stands beside his wife.
Ever since Jamie’s uncle Rhett took over as town Sheriff, he seems to be much happier—likely because of the lack of stress.
He’s unable to get a word in between the two outspoken women, but he’s unperturbed.
He just smiles and listens, happy to be here, and I’m reminded of Aidan, lingering in the background of conversations and fighting to belong.
I’ve come to realize we’re much more alike than I thought. I might act confident in a crowd, but secretly, I just want to be accepted—I want to relate to another person—and yet, all this time, I’ve just been holding myself back.
Simone is the first to notice me. Her smile falls, but she doesn’t frown. She just eyes me knowingly, waiting for me to say something.
“Umm, hey.” I greet the group collectively. Mavis and Kiki turn to face me with welcoming expressions, Kiki immediately going in for a hug.
“How are you dear?” she asks as she squeezes my shoulders. “We haven’t seen you in a while.” She pulls back and looks me directly in the eyes. “Still overworking yourself on that farm, are you?”
Mavis tuts. “What do you expect, Keeks? It’s just her and her mother out there.”
Mavis has always been a bit blunt, but it doesn’t bother me this time.
Everyone knows it’s true, and maybe, what I once thought was prying into my business was actually concern.
These women barely know me, but I have no doubt they’d drop anything for me, and all because I’m Raegan’s friend.
That one degree of separation has been holding me back from getting involved, thinking I’d always be an outsider, but the people of Shadow Hills, that separation doesn’t exist. I’m one of them—I always have been—and it’s about time I started acting like it.
“I actually put out some flyers yesterday,” I tell them. “If you know anyone who’d like to volunteer, let me know.”
Kiki’s eyes light up as she grabs her husband’s forearm. “Oh, Twitty, this would be perfect for Brendon. He’s been itching for new work.” She glances back at me. “I think he’s grown tired of the cafe, but the boy’s never done anything else. He’s got no experience.”
Twitty purses his lips, ruffling his mustache. “I agree. Working outside would be good for him.”
“Okay,” I say, hope blooming in my belly. “Send him over next week.”
Wow. This might actually work.
Simone takes this as her cue to leave. “I’ll see you all later,” she says, ducking her head as she passes.
“Actually, can I talk to you?”
She squares her shoulders. “Okay.”
I follow her outside and she stops on the sidewalk, tucking the opening of her jean jacket close to her body to stave off the cool spring breeze. She doesn’t say anything, so I figure I should just get on with it.
“I acted like a bitch,” I tell her matter-of-factly. She snorts. “I was deflecting when I brought up that stuff about you and Casey, but it’s none of my business.”
She narrows her eyes as she takes it all in, but the tight lines of her mouth are beginning to soften.
“I’m really sorry,” I say, my words coming out rushed. “It was the first time we hung out and I ruined any chance of being your friend, but that’s okay. I know I fucked up. I just wanted to apologize.”
Simone drops her chin and pushes a loose braid over her shoulder. “It wasn’t even about me,” she admits. “I was protecting Casey.”
“I understand.”
“Yeah.” She nods once then relaxes her shoulders.
An awkward tension hangs between us as we both struggle with what to do next. “Well, that’s all I wanted to say,” I bumble. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
I start to walk past her but she stops me with a light touch to my shoulder. “I accept your apology,” she says softly. “Thank you.”
I nod appreciatively, glad to know I’ve successfully checked one difficult conversation off my list.
“Listen, I got something else I need to do but, we should have a redo—a proper girl’s night.”
Simone smiles brightly, showing off a straight line of pearly white teeth. “I’d like that.”
We go our separate ways, and as I make my way toward the movie theater at the end of the block, it feels like I can breathe a bit easier.