Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
He smiled wanly. “You’re gonna be fine.”
I nodded and tried to think of something intelligent to say, but my mind went blank. My heart was cracking in my chest as I stood there. I literally ached all over. How was I supposed to walk away now? What was my last line here? I wished I had a script, because I was lost.
Utterly…lost.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you for…being you. For being kind, for taking a chance, for letting me help. Thank you for…everything.”
“Theo…”
“I was afraid to come here. I was afraid of traveling and afraid I’d spend too much time worrying about all the changes I’d be coming home to, but now…I wish England wasn’t so far ’cause I’m—I’m really going to miss you.”
He swept me in a monster embrace and held on as if he’d never let go. “I’m gonna miss you too, baby. I’ll be in Seattle again in the spring. I’ve been thinking about it and…I can make a trip to San Francisco too, and—”
“No.” I pushed out of his arms and swiped at the tears streaming down my cheeks. “Let’s not do that. I don’t think I’m made for casual long-distance affairs. I’m possessive and prone to wicked fits of jealousy and…I don’t want you to ever regret me.”
“I will never ever regret you, Theo,” he said vehemently. “Never.”
I pulled at his coat, flung my arms around his neck, and kissed him as if my life depended on it.
When I stepped aside, we were both breathless and raw. It was time.
I zipped my jacket to my chin and flashed a teary smile. “I love you. And I wish you all the best things in life. Good-bye, Scott.”
12
Scott
A cold wind whipped along the river, sending a chill along my spine as I watched Theo’s figure disappear in the shadows. I stood there longer than necessary. He was gone. Probably sitting on the train now, listening to the usual spiel about the stops along the way and the safety reminder on replay. “See it, say it, we’ll sort it.”
We’d chuckled about the language differences—crisps and fries, motorways and interstates, boots and car trunks. The list was endless and entertaining to a couple of starry-eyed Americans with a limited amount of time to spare.
And now the train was probably moving along the tracks. He’d take the window seat so he could see the sights…even though it was dark. If I were with him, I’d take the aisle and stretch my legs out. I’d put my arm around him and…
He was gone.
When the next gust of wind tore along the street, I pulled my scarf over my ears and started walking. Problem—I couldn’t go to the bakery. People would be there. They’d want to talk. Tell me how great Theo was, what wonderful things he’d done for the community in such a short time. I’d have to nod and smile, and I’d done enough of that tonight.
I couldn’t sneak upstairs to my flat either. Becca might come up and ask about Theo and me. She’d obviously figured us out. And she seemed fine with it, which was great and not great ’cause he was gone. So it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. It was business as usual…
Starting now.
Wait. He’d used my line. “I wish you all the best things in life.” I’d said exactly those words to him when we’d parted for the first time in London.
And he’d said those three words again. They’d tripped off his tongue…so easily.
I love you.
I walked on, moving quickly to keep warm as I sorted through the demons in my head. He was gone and I had to let go.
Let go, let go.
I let myself in at the side entrance of the bakery and started for the stairs before deciding to check on the state of my kitchen. I turned on the light over the counter, marched toward the register, and froze.
Fairy wings and a tiara were perched against the register like a calling card. I fingered the glittery edges carefully, casting a wary gaze around the shop as if on the lookout for ghosts.
There was no one here.
Only me and—
“Hiya.”
I whirled around with my hand over my heart. “Holy fuck, Becca.”
She chuckled softly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was tidying the kitchen. It was a shambles and I know you can’t work in those conditions.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
Becca closed the distance between us and fixed me with a scrutinizing once-over. “And…I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I scoffed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
She crossed her arms and arched a brow. “Don’t be like that, Scott. You don’t have to tell me any details, but don’t push me away. You need a friend, and I’m it.”
“Thanks, but—”
“Don’t argue. Just come into the kitchen. I’ll make a cuppa.”
I obeyed.
I leaned against the counter and idly watched her prepare tea. “I’m…you were right about Theo and me. I didn’t want to talk about it ’cause I knew it would end up here.”