Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
STELLA
Sunday morning I’m sorting books alone when my phone buzzes with a text.
UNKNOWN NUMBER: This is Diane.
A second later, that same number calls. I like Diane, but after the last week, I’m peopled out. I need a day to hide away and not talk or see anyone. But I can’t ignore her.
“Hello?”
“Stella! How are you doing this morning?”
“Good.”
“Roger told me that you and Drew came in second! Only by a few points did you miss out on bragging rights. But did you have fun?”
“I did.”
“I’d love to hear all about it. Will you come over for an early dinner today? At four o’clock. You’ve lived here for over a week, and it’s past time to give you a proper welcome.”
What is with Drew and his family insisting on calling instead of texting? If this were a text, I’d have a chance to think about a kind way to decline. Since this is a call, I’ve been put on the spot, and no believable excuse comes to mind.
“Okay.”
“Fantastic!” she says. “Walk over with Drew so you can find the house.”
“Okay,” I say again.
“See you this afternoon!” She is way too excited about having me over for dinner.
“Okay.”
I manage to scan two books before my phone rings again. This time it’s Drew. I’d really like it to go to voicemail, but then he’ll probably head over here to talk to me in person. I answer.
“Hello?”
“My mom just told me she invited you over for dinner. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”
Is this him uninviting me? Maybe he’s embarrassed about my jaw kiss last night. It didn’t seem like it when he walked me home.
“Do you not want me to come?” I ask.
“No!” he says instantly. “I want you to come, but if you felt like you couldn’t tell her no, you can tell me no, and I’ll let her know you’re working at your store.”
It’s sweet how he watches out for me and doesn’t make me feel stupid for stupid things I do. Whereas moments before I wanted to avoid everyone, hearing his voice makes me rethink my stance on peopling today.
“I want to go,” I say.
“You don’t need to sort books?”
“I do.” I glance around at the aisles of shelves still filled with books, but people before projects. “I have until Wednesday to finish. You’re still good to start on the bathroom Thursday?”
“As long as the work permit comes through on time, I plan to knock down the wall for the door and frame the bathroom in. The plumber won’t be able to come until Friday.”
“Is the electrician still coming on Friday?”
“Yes, but he probably won’t be able to wire the bathroom and swap out the lighting in the bookstore in one day. I had to bribe him to finish on Saturday instead of waiting until next week.”
“How much more will I owe him?” I ask. I need to get the lighting done before the floors get refinished, but it stinks I have to pay him more than I have budgeted.
“Oh, you don’t owe him anything,” Drew says. “I’m helping him build a deck. He has the supplies; I’m giving him free labor.”
That’s worse than paying the electrician extra. “Drew! You can’t keep doing that!”
“As your contractor, I say I can.”
In all the projects I’ve undertaken in my life, I’ve done them alone. Not anymore; not with Drew next door.
“Thank you,” I say. “I wouldn’t be able to finish on time without you.”
“You have a lot of neighbors who would love to help. You don’t have to clean and paint all on your own. Let’s set up some work days and invite everyone over.”
This isn’t the first time he’s suggested I let others help, but I don’t want to put anyone out.
“I have it under control,” I say. “No need to bug everyone.”
He doesn’t push, but his silence says that he doesn’t agree. “Should I stop by ten minutes before four, and we’ll walk over together?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
I set my phone on the tripod and press record as I sort books.
I’ve posted a video on Instagram every day this week, and each one has more views than the one before.
Yesterday’s was up to three thousand views last time I checked.
Everyone loves a good renovation story. I need more engagement though, so tomorrow I plan to post asking what color I should paint the outside of the store.
Yellow, red, green, or blue. I’m leaning toward the yellow, but I’m curious what my followers will say.
Hours later, when Drew exits the back of the hardware store, I’m waiting outside for him. His smile when he sees me is instantaneous.
“You look beautiful,” he says.
I appreciate another reason to wear something besides yoga pants and old t-shirts. Today’s dress is a casual black paired with a pale blue chunky cardigan. I have on tights; protection from the fall chill.
“You, too,” I say. “Well, not beautiful. But handsome, obviously.”
Though in jeans and a gray sweater, with his hair pulled back into a bun, he does look beautiful as well as handsome.
On the way to his parents’ house, we pass by his house.
“Do you think you’ll ever move into your home?” I ask. “Or will you sell it?”
He doesn’t answer immediately. I glance over, and he’s looking at me, his expression contemplative. “I’m keeping the house, and I’ll move in eventually. But not right now. I still say it’s a house meant for a family.”
Dinner with Drew’s family makes me miss mine a little less. There’s less of them, but they’re just as loud and endearing. I’m glad I didn’t stay home. Before leaving, Diane pulls me into a hug.
“We have dinner at four every Sunday,” she says. “You have a standing invitation.”
“Thank you.” I hope she hears how much I mean that.
When Drew and I get back to our building, someone stands in the shadows. It’s only when we get closer that I see who it is.
Quinn.
DREW
Stella squeezes my arm. “Good night. Thanks for dinner.”
She disappears inside before I’m able to say a word. I’d thought I’d be able to hang out with her for a few more hours before saying good night. Darn it, Quinn. What is she doing here? There’s nothing more for me to say to her, and I don’t want to hear what she has to say to me.
“Can I have a few minutes?” she asks. “Please.”
Her tone is different than before. Regretful. Apologetic. It roots me to the ground.
“I’m listening.”
“I’m sorry that I upset you by coming back.”
Her apology surprises me. Definitely not what I expected.
She continues. “I thought if I showed up and acted like the girl you first met, you’d fall in love with me all over again.”
A snort escapes before I can keep it in.
“I know,” she says. “I was naive. So now I’m trying a different tactic. Full honesty.”
This is what I’ve wanted from the moment she flew back to California two years ago. Now that I’m getting it, I’m not sure it matters anymore. At least not to me, but it does to her, so I remain silent and listen.
She speaks slowly, thoughtfully. “When I went home after Dad’s stroke, I didn’t think it would be forever.
But after a few days, I couldn’t ignore how much he needed me.
There was no way I could leave him alone, which meant I had to stay in California indefinitely.
I couldn’t ask you to move for me. You would have been miserable.
You hate the city. Every time we drove to Tucson, your shoulders got all tense, and you turned into a grump.
I didn’t see any way ahead for us. We jumped into marriage too quickly, I reasoned.
It was kinder for me to end our marriage and not give you the option to follow. ”
I’ve been hurt and frustrated by Quinn’s decision to divorce with little explanation, but this makes me furious. I guess what she has to say does matter to me.
“You had no right to make that decision for the both of us,” I say. “You should have talked to me. We could have worked something out.”
She shakes her head. “There was nothing to work out. You belong here. I thought I belonged there. I figured we were too young and stupid to know we were incompatible.”
My hands fist at my sides. “You don’t know that. Maybe we would have ended up divorced in the end, but it should have been a mutual decision.”
She slumps against the side of the building and wipes at her eyes. “Yeah, you’re right. I believed I was sacrificing for you so that you could be happy.”
“You were what made me happy.”
My words are met with pained silence.
“I was an idiot,” she acknowledges.
“What changed?” I ask. “You’re back now trying to convince me to give us another chance.”
She sniffles. “Dad moved to an assisted living home at the beginning of the year. He’s met someone.
Another resident. He’s happy and stable.
I didn’t think he’d ever reach this point, and, suddenly, he no longer needs me hovering.
I’m miserable in California. The happiest I’ve ever been was in this town with you. ”
“You were miserable here too. Maybe you’ve let yourself forget, but I haven’t.”
“I wasn’t, though. I was focused on what I didn’t have, and totally overlooked what I did have. I know what I want now. I quit my job because I hate it. I planned to find something here, a job that gives me the social interaction I need. And I would have you.”
I’m not sure what to think of her confession. She made a decision on her own that affected us both, and now she wants to rewind time and make a different decision.
“What about your ex-boyfriend turned boyfriend?”
She gives a sharp shake of her head. “I told the truth when I said nothing happened between us. We’re only friends. Glory misconstrued everything.”
I look off into the distance. It’s good to know she didn’t leave me for another man. I didn’t know how much that hurt until now.
“Will you give me another chance?” she asks. “We were good together, Drew. We can get there again. We’ll fix up the house like we planned. Have a family. Build a life together.”
I can’t see the future she’s talking about. I’ve moved on.
No matter how much hurt she’s caused me, I hate how much my answer will hurt her.
“There is a part of me that will always love you, Quinn. But we can’t go back.
I don’t want to. I’d live every day worried that it would be our last, afraid that you’d change your mind again and leave me for California.
It’s better if we both move on and learn from what happened. ”
She looks away and wipes at her cheeks. “Is this because of Stella? You love her?”
Her honesty deserves honesty in return. “We’re not dating, but I do want a relationship with her eventually.”
She huffs a sad laugh. “What are you waiting for?”
I scuff my shoe along the ground. “Courage. She’s from the city. I don’t want to find myself in the same situation as before.”
Quinn squares her shoulders. “If I’ve learned anything, it’s to take charge of your life before life takes charge of you. I saw how she looked at you at Oak Tavern. I don’t think she’d make the same mistake I did.”
I study Quinn. She has changed in the last two years.
“Thanks, Quinn.”
“You’ll always be the one who got away.”
“No. Don’t think that. You’ll find someone who can love you better. You’ll never have to choose between love and the city.”
She nods but doesn’t look at me. “I’ll leave tomorrow. You won’t see me again.”
Now that I know the truth, it’s easy to let go of my resentment.
“You can stay,” I tell her. “I won’t try to make you leave again.”
She’s quiet for a long minute. “Do you mean that? Because I’d like to stay if you’re sure.”
It’s a relief to know that I do mean what I said. The anger and hurt that’s followed me around for so long is gone.
“Yeah, I mean it.”
She nods, then steps away. “I’ll see you around, Drew.”
“Bye, Quinn.”
She walks away, disappearing into the dark. I stay where I am for a few minutes and think about what she said.
Quinn’s right. I’m wasting time not asking Stella on a date. There is always the possibility that she’ll figure out she wants to live in Tucson, but maybe I can give her another reason to stay in Blissful: me.
No time like the present. I pull out my phone and call.
“Drew?” she says. “Is something wrong?”
“Can you talk for a minute?”
“Sure. You want to come up?”
I’d rather not be inside. I need the chance to move. “Can you come down? We can go on a quick walk if that’s okay.”
“Sure.”