Chapter Twenty-Two
Belle
Dane and I are quiet for a long time after Jesse leaves, awkwardly staring at the piece of wood like it may start talking.
It’s him who breaks the silence first. “I guess that explains some things,” he says, almost more to himself than me with an edge of amusement that makes my shoulders a little less tense.
I shift from one foot to the other, rubbing my arm and trying my best to ignore the way my lips still tingle from the kiss. Do I play stupid? Ask him ‘what things’ and then pretend not to be embarrassed when he reminds me of the way I’ve acted around him because of Jesse?
No, I’m better than that.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him honestly, loosening a sigh and rubbing my face with my hands. I’ve been here for hours working on this place and I’m tired. “I didn’t mean for you to see that.”
Dane is hesitant and he’s watching me with a strange look on his face when I finally meet his eyes. “You don’t need to apologize. You don’t owe me anything, Belle.”
He sounds…sincere. But there’s a twinge of something else in his tone that matches the slight wince on his face as if he’s replaying what he walked into.
I should really ask him about the wood. Ask to see pictures of the shelf he started.
Maybe offer him a coffee or one of the many baked goods I brought with me to deliver to the other local business owners.
I even tied cute ribbons to the baskets of goodies hoping to smooth over any tension between me and the established businesses around me.
Not that I think a chocolate scone will win over Karen, but it’s worth a shot.
“I think you’re a really sweet guy,” I admit, hoping to explain myself even if I don’t need to.
But he visibly flinches at the start of my cliché spiel. “You really don’t need to do the whole ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing. In fact, I insist.”
Wetting my lips, I nod. “Sorry,” I say again, internally groaning at the millionth apology he doesn’t want.
He looks down at the wood, running his hands over it.
“I’d suspected that there may have been something going on the first time he walked in here.
He didn’t seem happy you were talking to me.
Then he showed up at Delmar’s and that sort of cemented the suspicion.
I’m not judging. I just know the dynamic between you is…
complicated since you were raised together. ”
Quickly, I shake my head. “We weren’t. Our parents started dating when we were in high school, and we didn’t move in together until Jesse was a senior.
Honestly, Dane, I’ve never looked at him as a sibling.
It’s never felt that way. We basically lived together for a year and then he went halfway across the country for college. ”
We may have formed a beautiful friendship over that year we lived under the same roof.
And, sure, the crush I’d had since seeing him in study hall the first time when I was in seventh grade definitely reignited as I got to know him better.
But nothing ever happened. We were friends.
Friendly. Nothing more. He dated and had hookups and so had I.
He took Brittany to prom, and I never went.
Mostly because I didn’t have a date, but also because dresses were expensive.
Had I secretly hoped Jesse would offer to go with me?
Yes. But he had his own life in Denver doing whatever college athletes did and he briefly had a girlfriend around the time my prom was held.
Dane nods as he takes in the information I offer him, and I can see him accept whatever is happening in his head. He gestures toward the counter. “So this is new?”
I know he’s not asking about the counter itself, but what he saw on it. Internally, I cringe.
Honesty is the only option here. “I’ve had feelings for him for a very long time, but nothing ever happened until recently. We weren’t doing anything when I went out with you.”
I leave out the part where I couldn’t stop thinking about the man at home. And the piece of information about how Jesse used my toy on me after getting home from our date. Honesty can only go so far before crossing lines.
Dane hums as his only reply, probably wondering if there’s something I’m leaving out. But true to his word, he doesn’t press me on it.
“Can you…” I feel bad for asking, but I do it anyway. “Can you keep this to yourself for now? I don’t want my mom to find out and I know our mothers are still friends.”
Dane presses his lips together once before nodding.
Then he chuckles to himself and pulls out his phone.
“Trust me, Belle. You don’t have to worry about that.
I like to keep out of business that isn’t mine.
” He taps on his screen a few times before passing it to me, showing me the bookcase in what looks like a garage.
“This is what I have so far. I’m thinking… ”
Just like that, we move on. No judgement (or maybe limited judgement) and no drama. He doesn’t seem hurt, so the guilt melts away the more we talk about the bookshelves. He gives me a timeline for completion, I give him a deposit, and walk him to the door.
“We’re okay still?” I ask, holding it open for him and giving him a sheepish smile.
He returns it. “We’re good, Belle. I won’t say anything to anyone.”
That isn’t why I’m asking, but the reassurance is nice to hear. “I just want to make sure you’re happy. You’re an awesome guy.”
He doesn’t take compliments well either. “I appreciate that. And I’ll be okay. Things are…good.”
I wonder if he means with his ex, but it’s not my business to pry about it. “Good.”
I wave him off and watch as he gets in his truck parallel parked on the side of the street and drives off.
A weight that’s been sitting on my shoulders slowly eases when I’m alone.
If I can admit to a man I went on a couple dates with that I have feelings for Jesse, then I could admit it to Mom. To my stepdad. To other people.
I refuse to risk losing the one person, other than my mother, who’s been a constant in my life. Who had my back without question. Who only judges me lovingly but loves me regardless of weird habits or character traits.
I won’t lose Jesse out of fear.
With that newfound confidence, I gather up the last basket of homemade goodies, turn off the lights, and lock up the bookstore behind me.
It’s a short walk to Hardy’s Jewelers and I’m grateful that the sun it out to cut the chill still lingering in the late-March air.
The jewelry store is open with only one customer looking at the glass display of pretty diamond rings.
He looks lost in thought, like he’s searching for the perfect ring for his perfect somebody.
“Hello. Welcome to—” Karen cuts her greeting short, her sickening sweet tone fading when she sees me walk in. I can see her struggle to remain smiling, saving face for the man still walking along the case and examining the gold bands inside.
“Hi, Mrs. Hardy,” I greet, lifting the basket of scones and cinnamon muffins. “I brought you something. I’ve been baking a lot to figure out what I want to offer at the café.”
She frowns down at the basket that I place on the counter by the register. “I don’t eat gluten.”
“These are gluten free,” I assure her. “I’m trying to offer options for different dietary restrictions. Heidi over at the craft store mentioned that you have a gluten allergy, so I made sure to bring you things you can enjoy.”
She blinks slowly, staring at the items like I’ve sprinkled anthrax on them. “That is very…nice of you.” Skepticism is thick in her tone as she clears her throat. “But bringing me baked goods isn’t going to change my mind about you or your store.”
Is that what she thinks this is? “I’m not here to bribe you, Karen.
I’m simply trying to be nice. Maybe forge some friendships.
You know I’m new to the area. My family is close enough to visit, but I don’t have anybody in the immediate area to hang out with or talk to. I want to get along with everybody.”
The harrumph that comes from her makes even the man shopping for rings look over at us with interest. “If friendship is what you’re expecting, you are barking up the wrong tree.”
Internally, I sigh. I also call her a few choice names that wouldn’t be kind to say aloud. All while smiling at her. “That’s all right. I don’t expect anything. I just came to give you those and I hope you enjoy them.”
I back up and turn, noticing the ring that the man is looking at. “That one is really pretty,” I tell him.
Some of the nerves melt from his face. “She likes silver more than gold.”
I gesture toward one of the rings in the section over. “Then white gold is your best option, not the yellow. Good luck.”
“Thanks,” he calls out as I walk toward the door, “You too.”
I know I can’t force anybody to be my friend. I don’t want to, especially people like Karen who have a vendetta against me for no real reason. I’ll always be kind because it takes far more effort to be rude.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I see the text from Jesse that I somehow missed earlier.
Jesse: Are you okay?
I can’t help but smile a little wider.
Me: Better than okay
It’s the truth. Sure, Karen doesn’t like me.
But Dane didn’t tell me I’m disgusting for kissing Jesse, the bookstore is painted one of my favorite shades of yellow, and the sign for out front has been ordered.
Good days aren’t always guaranteed, but they can be formed.
I won’t let anybody ruin that inner peace.
Not even when I stop mid-step when I hear Karen call out, “Don’t think I haven’t noticed how close you and that stepbrother of yours are.
We don’t need any kind of bad press around us.
I don’t care how much money he brings in playing for that ridiculous team.
Trouble is trouble. And you two reek of it. ”
My heart stutters for a second before I turn around, trying to fight the frown. She’s staring at me outside her store with her arms crossed. Dane may not have been disgusted by me, but Karen Hardy is.