Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
I follow him upstairs, needing to be behind him for self-conscious reasons. His fiancée is gorgeous, skinny, and impeccably dressed, although not for Vermont. She’s even perfect when her backside is covered in mud. Even her makeup stayed flawless despite her tears. I don’t need to remind Zane of the extra padding I’ve always had on my hips.
“Holy—”
“Night,” I interrupt him before he can use the non-Christmas euphemism.
“Yeah, something like that,” Zane says as he steps into my living room. “This place is amazing. Did you do this?”
“No, the previous owner did it. I bought it after the renovations were complete. It’s convenient because I can live and work in the same place.”
I watch Zane as he takes in my living space. The black walls accent the exposed beams and bricks. Of course, the Christmas decorations give the room a lot more life.
“I remember when this place was a conference room and had a storage area. The firemen had their beds over there, in the corner. Do you remember when we used to jump on them?” Zane asks me.
“Yes, I do. I remember my grandfather used to get so angry with us because he thought we were up here destroying things.”
“Do you remember sliding down the pole?”
I motion for Zane to follow me toward the back but keep him away from my bedroom. I point to the brass pole sticking up through the floor.
“Is it still usable?”
“Yes, but it’s not something I use ever.”
“If I’m being honest, I’m jealous. I’d slide down it every day to start my morning.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Maybe later,” I tell him. It’ll never happen because after tonight, I’m going to put some necessary distance between us. My heart can’t take this.
Zane continues to look around and walks toward my windows. “The view from here is amazing.”
“It is.” I move to the kitchen and put a kettle of water on the stove. “Hot chocolate?”
Zane turns. “Is it your family’s homemade recipe?”
I give him a deadpan look. “What else would it be?”
“I’d love some.”
He smiles and turns toward the window again. “How often do you sit here and stare out the window?”
“Daily. It’s my favorite part of this place, aside from my office being downstairs.”
“You love work that much?”
I laugh. “No, it’s just cheaper than renting two places.”
“Do you own this building?”
“I do.”
The kettle whistles and I add the boiling water to the cup and follow the hot cocoa recipe my mom uses, then I add a scoop of marshmallow to Zane’s without thinking.
“Sorry,” I tell him as I hand him the mug. “I added marshmallows without thinking. I don’t even know if you still like them.”
Zane smiles brightly. “I can’t believe you remembered.”
“There isn’t much I’ve forgotten, despite my many attempts at trying to.”
He frowns and takes a sip, then goes back to looking out the window. “You can see my dad’s store from here.”
“Yeah.”
“He says you help him a lot.”
“I do.”
“How will I ever be able to thank you?”
“Stay.” The one word that could change everything is out of my mouth instantly. It’s the same word I should have said to him all those years ago on that platform in Albany.
Zane meets my gaze.
“Not for me but for your dad. I’ve seen a change in him since you arrived. He’s so happy you’re here.” I should’ve asked him to stay years ago. It was my mistake letting him leave. I thought I was doing the right thing.
“Can we sit and talk? Please Eve.”
I glance at the time on the digital clock sitting on the side table.
Zane sees where I’m focusing and looks, as well. “I’ll help at the farm tomorrow, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It is, and while that’s very nice of you, I’m not sure my dad will be happy to see you.”
“I know. He made himself very clear today. But I need to make amends. Fix things.”
Finally, I nod and walk toward my U-shaped sectional. I take a corner and use my Christmas throw to warm my lap. Zane sits closer than I expect, making this much harder for me.
“Does Caryn know you’re here?”
Zane shakes his head. “Nah, and I’m not sure she’d care. She knows I went for a drive. We talked a little before I left. Actually, it’s why I left. There are some things she said which left me feeling a bit on edge.”
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do in this situation. The man I was once madly in love with is talking to me about his fiancée. Something tells me this shouldn’t happen. I’m not the one he should confide in.
“I think, somehow . . .” Zane drifts off as looks toward the window again. “I had every intention of coming back.”
“But you didn’t.”
He nods. “I was on my way to the station when my boss, Mr. Bamford, called me into his office. He said there was a group of people I needed to meet. It was urgent, had to be done right away.”