Chapter 19 #2
“Her dad had a stroke just before our one year anniversary. Her mom died when she was in high school, and he didn’t have anyone else.
She left immediately, but I had a bunch of work lined up and couldn’t get away for a few days.
When I was ready to fly out, she put me off.
‘Just wait,’ she said. ‘It’s not a good time.
’ After three weeks I’d had enough waiting.
I missed her, and I wanted to be there for her family.
I was leaving the next day when Quinn called and said she wanted a divorce.
It blindsided me. She never offered more explanation than that she couldn’t live in Blissful, and it was better to end things before there were kids involved.
I didn’t understand until Glory told me Quinn hooked up with an old boyfriend. ”
It isn’t pity on Stella’s face. It’s empathy. “That’s awful.”
“She sent a moving company for her things and promised she would never come back. It’s not the first time she lied, obviously, but she has no idea how hard it’s been for me to have everyone asking about her after she showed up last weekend.
And she said she’s coming back for good. I hope she changes her mind.”
“Me too.”
I shake my head, confused. “She divorced me because she couldn’t live here, and now she wants to buy a house?
My house specifically, the one I bought her because she hated the loft so much.
We planned to fix it up before moving in.
We’d only gotten as far as picking out paint when she filed for divorce. ”
Her brow lowers, and she puckers her lips. “I think I might have passed your house yesterday on my run. I looked in the front window and it was set up to paint.”
“That’s probably it. I haven’t been back since Quinn left. Roger takes care of the yard so I don’t have to.”
She’s thoughtful for a minute. “I think I saw her go through the garage of that house yesterday morning. She had a suitcase.”
I groan. She’s back already? And staying in my house? “I never changed the garage door code. That’s how much I believed she’d never set foot in this town again. I definitely didn’t think she’d break and enter.”
“Maybe I have the wrong house? Though, I thought she looked familiar. Probably from the pictures I saw on Facebook.”
I don’t want to see Quinn, but I also don’t want her messing with my house if what Stella says is true. “I should go over and figure out what’s going on.”
"Do you want company? I could use a walk and some fresh air. It’ll wake me up since I plan to spend a few more hours sorting books tonight.”
The outing seems much more palatable with Stella. “I would love the company. But first, I need to install the doorbell.”
Fifteen minutes later, I ring the bell and Stella answers from the newly downloaded app on her phone.
“I already love this doorbell! Be right down.”
She’s at the backdoor in less than a minute wearing her Blissed Out In Blissful hoodie.
My house is only three streets away and a few houses down. Stella turns up the drive before I do, which means she does not have the wrong house. Quinn is here.
Stella stops half way up the driveway and lays a hand on her sternum. “I always dreamed of living in a house like this. It’s so quaint and homey.”
“You can buy this one from me.”
She tilts her head and studies me to see if I’m serious. “You don’t like your house?”
“I love this house. It’s the perfect location.
My mom and Roger live further down the street.
Lauren and Brody live two blocks that way.
It’s close to the hardware store. When I heard the previous owners were selling, I put in an offer before it went on the market.
” I look at the facade. “I still love it. It’s more that I don’t want to live here alone. ”
She reaches over and squeezes my hand before letting go. “I know exactly how you feel. I didn’t want to buy somewhere permanent until I had someone to share it with. But if I’d continued to wait, I wouldn't be in Blissful. Sometimes you have to move forward even when it’s hard.”
Maybe she’s right—but then I wouldn’t live next door to her. The house can wait.
Stella walks up the porch steps, and I follow. There’s a faint glow coming from the kitchen. The house doesn’t have power. I unlock the door and step through.
“Don’t come any further!” a female voice calls out. It’s Quinn. “I have a gun, and I will one hundred percent use it to shoot you!”
She’s never held a gun in her life.
“I’m sure I have a better aim,” I call back.
Quinn steps out into the living room, a flash light in hand. “Drew. What are you doing here?”
“It’s my house. What are you doing here?”
She cocks her hips, but not with confidence. “I told you I wanted to buy it. I’m just checking in to make sure everything is in working order.”
“Since yesterday morning?”
She rolls her eyes and softens her stance. Caught. “You never changed the garage code.”
“So you decided to break and enter? How long were you going to hide out here? It takes a few years for squatters' rights to kick in.”
She puckers her lips. “It’ll be my house as soon as you agree to sell it to me.”
“That will never happen. Pack up your stuff. You need to go.”
She waves at the window. “It’s dark outside. You’re going to make me sleep in my car?”
I don’t want Quinn here, but I’m not cruel either. Now that I’ve had a chance to come to terms with her staying in Blissful, her being in town isn’t quite so aggravating. Her being in my house is.
“You can stay tonight, but tomorrow you’ve got to go. You have friends you can stay with.”
“They all have little kids.” She pouts. “I like my sleep to much to stay with them.”
I don’t understand Quinn at all. Why she’s here. Why she wants my house. Why she can’t take my obvious frustration as a clue that I don’t want anything to do with her.
I run my hands through my hair and take a long breath. “My uncle owns a few rentals. I’m sure there are vacancies during the week.”
“Why do I have to go?” She glares. “The house is empty. I’m sleeping on the floor. I’m not hurting anyone. I thought I could clean and paint the walls while I’m here.”
“I don’t know how much clearer I can be, Quinn.”
“I never give up working for what I want.”
A trait I’d normally respect, but not in this situation. I’m tired of arguing with her. “Stay in Blissful if that’s really what you want, but leave me out of your decision.”
She crosses her arms. “You used to be nice. When did you become mean?”
“That would be when my wife cheated on me with an ex-boyfriend.”
Her jaw drops. “How do you…”
“How do I know about Jared? You really believed I wouldn’t find out?”
“Glory,” she says it like a curse word.
“You were the one who went back to him. Glory didn’t do anything wrong by telling me about the affair.”
For the first time since her return, she looses her cool. “She didn’t get the story straight. It wasn’t an affair! We’re just friends.”
I huff a breath. “An emotional affair is still an affair.”
I turn to go, but that’s when Quinn catches sight of Stella.
“You’re dating someone.” Quinn moves the flashlight beam to Stella’s left hand. No ring. She sounds relieved even as she says, “She’s why you won’t give me a chance?”
“There’s no chance for you, and that has nothing to do with Stella.” I take Stella’s hand and walk to the door. “You have until nine tomorrow morning to leave. If you’re not gone, I’m calling Cody, and he’ll kick you out.”
Her jaw drops. “You’re threatening the police on me?”
I slam the door, not bothering to answer. We’re a block away before I realize I’m still holding Stella’s hand. It takes me another block to let go. We’re both silent until we turn onto Second Street.
“Sorry,” I say. “I’m not usually a jerk.”
“You’re not a jerk. She bypassed your boundaries and trespassed on your property. Of course you’re upset.”
“I don’t want to be upset. My anger exhausts me.”
When we reach the back of the bookstore, I really don’t want to say goodbye. It’s only eight. There are so many more hours left of the night, and I’d rather not spend them alone.
“Can I help you clean out books?” I ask.
The florescent lights of the backroom must make me look haggard, because Stella reaches up and runs a cool thumb under each of my eyes. I lean toward her, but place a hand on the door frame so I don’t wrap it around her waist, and pull her into my arms.
I want to take her out on a date, but my heart tells me to wait. Wait until she’s settled. Wait to see if she sticks around. Wait before giving myself permission to fall in love again.
Stella removes her hands from my face and steps away. “Instead of cleaning, I’m going to start putting together a book order. You can come up if you don’t distract me.”
I’m relieved at her invitation to stay, and glad that we won’t be sorting books. I am tired. “I have a framing job starting in a few days and need to go over the plans.”
“Grab them and come back over?”
“Thank you.”
Which is how I get to spend the evening hours with Stella, both of us on her living room couch, doing our own thing but together. I’m definitely not moving into my house anytime in the future. I like being her neighbor too much.