Chapter 37
Chapter thirty-seven
Audrey
As I was driving to Roseville, my Friday playlist on repeat, it hit me I hadn’t thought about Jackson for a while.
Maybe it was the summer heat, the way it wrapped around you in North Carolina, making time still itself.
Or perhaps it was all the baking. Every weekend I found myself covered in flour and sugar, dancing barefoot in the tiny farmhouse kitchen I'd inadvertently taken over. That had to be good for the soul. Or maybe it was the way I couldn’t keep my hands off Rhett, or my eyes.
Maybe it was all of that which slowly erased Jackson from my mind.
Thinking of my past felt like watching a movie through blurry film, and I barely recognized it.
If I were truly honest with myself, I’d admit that each day, New York lingered a little less in my mind. I hadn’t opened an apartment listing alert for over two weeks now. And the document outlining the structural changes in my department —thanks to my new position— still sat untouched, unread.
Because somehow that future also felt foreign, a version of life I didn’t recognize.
Right here, right now, I didn’t have to be anyone but myself. This place and Rhett; it was enough. I knew I couldn’t put it off forever, that I had to figure things out soon, but I wasn’t ready. I just need a little more time. I need to make the right choice. I couldn’t risk making another mistake.
I parked the car, and sent Penny a quick text, telling her to have safe travels this weekend. She had a wedding to shoot in the mountains.
As I gathered my stuff, Mabel galloped toward the car. An instant serotonin boost.
“Hi girl.” I smiled down at her, my weekend bag looped in one arm, iced coffee in my other, and Mabel trotting along next to me as I strolled to the front door.
I don’t quite make it there before my heart drops in my stomach and time stands still.
The screened door opens and Rhett steps out, a curious look on his face.
He’s still him, faded blue jeans and a white t-shirt spanning his chest. He flashes me a crooked smile, but I can’t return it, because something’s changed here.
“When did you do this?” My mouth is dry as my eyes flit between him and the flower beds lining the front porch. Where there was once nothing, now sits six hydrangea plants. A few blue flowers hanging on.
Rhett creases his brow, skipping down the steps, stopping at the edge of the new soil. He chews his lips, studying the plants.
“They’re a bit ragged right now, but I’ve been reading all about how to care for them, and by next summer, they’ll double in size and be full of flowers. Or blooms. Sorry, this is new to me.” He explains, kneeling into the soil, his hand gingerly on the flowers, gaze fixed on me.
“Why?” I whisper. My voice breaks as a warm breeze blows through the yard, pushing loose strands of chocolate hair into my face. I push it back, but my feet remain glued to the earth below me.
Rhett clears his throat and stands. “They are your favorite flowers. Blue hydrangeas. You spend a lot of time on the front porch, and I thought you might enjoy seeing them,” he replies so logically, like it just makes sense.
Like it’s natural to plant someone's favorite flowers in your front yard.
I told him my favorite flowers were blue hydrangeas on our first date.
Deep breath.
He didn’t buy me roses.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing the tears back.
He planted my favorite flower. In his yard. So, I can see them every day.
Next summer they will be full. I want to run into his arms this very minute and never let go. Yet another part of me wants to run, as far as I can, because what if next summer I'm not here to see them. The thought nearly knocks me off my axis.
“I’m sorry. If this upsets you...”
I drop my items in the grass and reach for Rhett's hand.
“What if there isn't a next summer?” I nearly whisper and Rhett steps closer to me, bringing his arms around my neck, kissing the top of my head.
“I wouldn’t have planted these if I didn’t see a next summer, darlin’.”
He pulls back and I bite my cheek until I taste iron, a hollow ache in my stomach.
I nod, and though he looks confused he doesn’t push me to explain, he doesn’t make me feel bad for my reaction. He simply leads me into the house, his fingers laced in mine, but before the door closes, I gaze over my shoulder to look at the flowers as tears prick the back of my eyes.
I can’t live in this in-between anymore.
Guys who are summer flings don’t plant a garden for you.
And you don’t fall asleep thinking about how much you love them.
“I know this looks like a hole in the wall, but I promise they have the world's best breakfast.”
Rhett has been going on and on about the diner in town all morning. We woke up this Saturday morning to find the kitchen mostly devoid of food, so he suggested we go into town to eat. Walking hand in hand, he guides me down the main street of a town I realized I no longer felt like an outsider in.
“First, I don’t judge a book by its cover. Some of the best food I’ve ever had came from some unassuming street vendors and tiny restaurants.”
“After you…” Rhett holds the door open for me as I step inside, the door chime ringing like a call from the past. I’m not exaggerating; this little diner is a genuine time capsule, complete with shiny red booths, a soda counter, checkered floors, and a giant analog clock ticking away on the wall.
It’s the most charming place I’ve ever laid eyes on, and the waitress beams at Rhett from behind the counter, her vintage uniform adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.
“Your booth is open, Rhett.” She tilts her head to the back. We slid into the booth, facing each other, and before I could ask, the waitress was at the table with two mugs and a pot of steaming coffee.
“I was beginning to worry about you. You haven’t been in all summer.” She raises her eyebrows at him, glancing my way. Rhett smirks, blue eyes settling on me.
“I’ve been busy. Rosie, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Audrey.”
Rosie, who could be my grandmother, instantly changes her demeanor, blushing as she turns to me.
“Well, no wonder you were busy! Nice to meet you, honey.”
“I brought her here to try the world’s best breakfast.” Rhett winks at Rosie as she sets down menus, leaving us be. A warm feeling fills me as I playfully kicked Rhett’s foot under the table.
“I think she’s sweet on you.”
Rhett laughs, bringing his coffee up to his lips.
“Rosie’s worked here since I was a child.
My grandparents used to take me and Desi here on Saturday mornings to give my parents a break.
Desi would sit all nice, never making a stir.
I, on the other hand…well, my grandpa would have to threaten to whoop my ass because I was always running all around this place. ”
“So, this is a true hometown staple for you?”
He nods with vigor, resting his elbows on the table.
“I took my first date to this diner when I was fifteen. We sat right there.” He points to the two stools at the end of the counter. “And Ky and I carved our names into this table when we were juniors.” He rolls his eyes, embarrassed but I chuckle, loving every morsel of Rhett.
“So, which one of you is the bad influence?”
Rhett points at himself. “I was. I’ve grown up though. As you can see.” He winks, but I scoff.
“Yeah, right. Okay.” I snort and Rhett flashes me a devilish grin.
“Ky is a cool guy. We were neighbors growing up, his mom and dad still live there actually. He’s like a brother to me.
When my dad died, he spent the summer working with me at the farm so I wouldn’t be alone.
He was a wild teenager, but he’s brilliant, too.
He’s a tech hot shot now but still lives here in town. ”
“That’s really sweet. Sounds like Ky is your Penny.” I smile, thinking about my best friend. “We need to get together, the four of us,” I add, and Rhett shakes his head, his eyes twinkling.
“Now you’re really trying to start trouble, huh?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I add coyly, sipping my coffee. “Well, this place must be special if both you and Ky stayed.”
“It is. But enough about me, yeah? You must have stories, too, or a place you always went, the hangout spot, as a kid or teen. Tell me about it.” He eggs on but I pinch my lips together, pretending to rack my brain for something that’s not there.
“Yeah, it’s called my bedroom studying, or the tennis court.
” I shake my head. “I spent a lot of my teenage years doing an insane amount of extracurriculars. Like more than anyone should be required to do. My parents made sure I stayed busy, and if I had a spare moment, it surely wasn’t spent hanging out or having fun,” I replied, raising my eyebrows.
“And as you already know, there were definitely no charming diners. I think I mentioned Andrew and I had nannies until we were teenagers, and there was always a private chef, so going out to eat as a family wasn’t a thing.
I mean, sure my parents went out on dates, or to events, but Andrew and I were always being chauffeured around, eating on the go or at home alone. ”
I felt embarrassed for reasons I knew I shouldn’t. I grew up never wanting a single item. I had everything and more. But I don’t have a single memory of sitting in a diner with my grandparents. It’s a foreign daydream that sounds so lovely.
Rhett tries to hide the sadness on his face as Rosie approaches us again.
“What will it be?” she asks, pen on pad.
Realizing I haven’t even glanced at the menu, I look frantically at Rhett.
“You like waffles?” He smirks and I nod. “Okay Rosie, two classic waffles with strawberries. Bacon and eggs on the side. Thank you.” He slides the menus back to her.
“Trust me, you’re going to love them. And if you don’t —well shit, I think I'd have to dump you.”