Chapter 7 Rose
This infuriating woman and Wes just come into my shop and start touching my bird and think that Wilfred’s the one with the problem? No way. How can Wes just show up here, and with a date no less? I take a deep breath and look back at Wes, who is standing and gaping at me. I remind myself it’s been ten years, he didn’t think anything of coming to your shop, because it’s been ten years . You were kids. What the hell?
“I’m sorry, but I really did mean that you need to leave now,” I shakily breathe out. Gosh, how did this happen?
“Fine, we’re going, we’re going . . .” Courtney grabs Wes’s arm and starts to pull him out too. Breathing a sigh of relief, I turn to head back towards the counter. Thank god that’s over with.
“You know, I think I’m going to stay . . . if that’s okay with Rose. I mean, I didn’t touch the bird. It’s nice to meet you though, Courtney.” He shrugs and smiles. My body betrays me and I can’t help but smirk and nod to say he can stay, even though what I really want is to run, hide, and kick him out. Despite the fact that it’s been so long, I can’t seem to help the way my heart skips a beat looking into his eyes and that my eyes move to his head of waves, one rogue strand gently landing over his forehead. Come on Rose, be more mature.
He wants to stay? Why would he possibly want to stay? I backtrack. “I suppose that’s all right.” I give him a pointed look, but instantly feel myself melt a little. God, why is he still so gorgeous? His eyes feel like they’re staring right through me and can see all the feelings I refuse to acknowledge.
“ What ? You’re not going to finish our date? We haven’t even done anything yet.” Courtney turns and runs back towards him. She swings into the crook of his arm and whines into his neck.
“I know, but that’s okay. You’ll be okay. We really didn’t even know each other. I hope you have a nice rest of your day, though. Tell your aunt I say hi and thank you.” Wes gently ushers her towards the door. She looks back in disgust, sighs loudly for the whole store to hear, and then bolts out—trying to keep some part of her dignity intact, I’m sure.
Wes turns towards me. “Wow, I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry about that. It was a blind date—I only know her cousin.”
I finally get a full, good look at him again—his big brown eyes, stubbly beard, and his curly hair that he’s wearing longer now. He’s grown up. We both have.
I’m brought back to the summer before he left. Us drifting lazily on the river by my house, soaking up the sun and talking about our future. Running my hands through his wet hair afterwards. I’d love to run my hands through that hair again . . . Snap out of it, Rose! He hurt you and left you alone with not even a goodbye.
Also, can I get a grip on what is happening right now? My mind can’t seem to decide if it hates Wes or wants to makeout with him.
I realize I’ve been quiet a little too long, so snapping myself out of it, I add, “Yes, well, Wilfred seems to be fine. So no harm done.” I move to head back behind the counter again, but Wes dodges in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“Of course, I should have done more to stop her and I really do apologize.” He lifts his hands as if he’s giving up. “Can we take a step back, I’d love to catch up and hear how you’ve been and talk a little?” Wes purses his lips and gives a slight frown like he really means it. I sigh.
“I’m sorry, but I need to get back to work. As I’m sure you’re aware, this is my store and I have a lot to do.” I try to calm the butterflies in my stomach, but there’s no denying I’m still attracted to him in a big way and I don’t feel like navigating this conversation right now. I try to make a break for the back room when he pops back in my path again.
“Actually, I didn’t know it was your store. Truly. Erick didn’t even tell me that. This wasn’t the way I wanted to see you again.” He runs his hand through his curls once more, causing one curly strand to fall slightly over his forehead and I suddenly feel warm. “What if I promise to stay for just five minutes. I just want to hear how you’re doing.” Those eyes. How can I say no to those gorgeous, rich, mahogany eyes that make me feel like I’m fifteen again, holding his hand, looking out at the lake as the stars came out, and talking about all the possibilities in front of us.
“Well, if you promise,” I say with a slight grimace, but I wonder if I’m just remembering his other broken promises. He winces, but gives me a strained smile back. “Why don’t you go back to your seat, I’ll be there shortly.”
Okay, get it together. No flirting, Rose.
After checking in with Lucy and settling in across from Wes at the window seat, I look up at his stormy, dark eyes again and take a calming breath. “So, I heard you’ve moved back? How long did you say you’ve been in Raspberry Falls again?”
“Only a couple weeks. I’ve mainly been working, settling in, and haven’t been able to get out much so haven’t seen too many people. I see Erick because I live with him, but that’s about it.” He sips the tea I brought him and looks at me over the cup.
You’re doing good. Keep it casual.
“You’re living with Erick? He helps out at Chloe’s B&B all the time. Did you stay in touch after you moved?” I look down, suddenly feeling sick (that’s happening a lot lately). If he stayed in touch with Erick, but not with me, what does that mean?
“Yeah, we talked a lot while I was gone, played video games—you know.” Wes shrugs and shuffles in his seat nervously. “You know Rose . . . about me not getting in touch . . .”
“I wasn’t trying to pry into your time away at all, Wes.” I was, actually.
“No, it’s okay. I just have some parts of my life that I’m not great at explaining, and that was a tough time . . .”
My heart aches. I can understand that I suppose.
“I definitely get that, we can talk about something else,” I interject before he can finish, wringing my hands. Looks like I’m not getting the answers I was hoping for today.
Wes gives me a long look before starting with, “Rose, I—” He stops and seems to have changed his mind, quieting again.
“How’s your mom doing? Does she still bake cookies every Sunday?” I ask, and I can’t help but smile at the memory of warm, fresh from the oven, chocolate chip cookies sitting on the counter in Wes’s family’s kitchen. She was so sweet. It wasn’t just the loss of Wes and my first love that broke me when he left, but it felt like I lost a family too.
“She does.” His eyes twinkle at the memory and I can tell he’s back in that kitchen too, sitting at the wood island and stealing kisses from me when his mom’s back was turned. “She would even bring me some when I was away at college—drove the half hour each way, every week,” he says with a beaming smile I could fall into, and suddenly it’s all too much. Our parents were close and all of this is bringing up memories of my dad. He loved that kitchen too, and we all spent time there, together.
“I’m sorry, I need to go,” I choke out. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t. It feels too hard and I know that’s weird, but I just can’t do this right now.” I rush away, feeling overwhelmed by seeing him after all this time, everything that it’s bringing up, and desperately needing some quiet. Once in the back room, I work on calming my breathing, focusing on concrete things, and am able to hold the tears at bay, but know that it’s only a matter of time before I have to see Wes again and deal with another flood of memories. Hopefully next time, he won’t be on a date at least.