Page 111 of Fallen Hearts

“That’s a cool necklace,” I said, gesturing to the multi-colored beaded one around her neck.

“Thanks. A local woman made it. She has her stuff in a few shops around town.”

I was about to ask which shops when a large group came in behind us. Not wanting to hold them up, I let Gaia show us to our table instead.

“I always wonder how Maggie manages to pack this place every weekend outside of tourist season,” Delaney said as we sat.

“Technically, it’s still in-season until the leaves completely drop,” I said, thanking the waiter for the menus.

“Right, but still. There are probably as many people here as the population of Cedar Falls.”

Though it was a serious exaggeration, I got what she was saying. “Well,” I said, not sure if Delaney really wanted the answer or not, but I’d give my best guess, “she’s established a strong local word of mouth. She’s got too much overhead to rely on tourists alone.”

“Hmm.” Delaney looked over the menu she likely knew by heart. “Still. I mean, the food is amazing…”

“Good food. Live music. A warm, inviting atmosphere. And unique enough to stand out. Plus being here. I have a feeling tonight is rare, that Maggie lives and breathes this place. That’s one thing my parents always told me about the restaurant business, or any hospitality business really. It’s either all in or don’t bother. No one will take care of your place like you.”

“Luckily for Mason, he found an exception to that rule.”

Mason.

I hadn’t heard from him in three days. It was a longer stretch than most, but I supposed his job kept him pretty busy. If I needed to, I could reach out. Which was something I wanted to talk to Delaney about.

Waiting until after we’d ordered, I dove in.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I said, blurting out what had been on my mind for days. Weeks, actually, if I were being honest.

“I’m not catching what you’re throwing.”

“Mason.”

“Oh.”

All of my piled-up thoughts came tumbling out. “I came here to put Heritage Hill on the map, in no small part thanks to my dickhead ex-boss who made me question myself, something I swore never to do again. It’s great things are coming together, better than I could have hoped for, on that front. But it’s like one step forward and two steps back. I wanted so hard to be like water. To go with the flow. But those are just words that I can’t make real, in my actual life. You know?”

Delaney looked thankful when our drinks came. She shook her head, taking a sip. “I’m not 100 percent sure I do.”

“I can’t do it. Be casual like that with someone I care about so deeply. It’s driving me nuts, replaying every one of our conversations over and over. Making me question myself, again. How do you let someone go that you love, even if you know it’s the best thing for your own well-being?”

“I’m actually not sure,” she said. “If I knew the answer to that, I’d probably be single.”

I sat up straight, realizing she was right. “Damn, that’s pretty self-aware.”

“I never said I wasn’t self-aware, just a bad decision maker. So yeah, I do get it. And I agree it would be a brave thing to do for yourself. Provided you can actually pull the trigger.”

Could I do it? Could I tell Mason that this wasn’t working for me? Have nothing more than a professional relationship with him? What was the alternative? Wondering every day why he didn’t choose to stay? Why I wasn’t enough to make him change his mind about love?

“Love isn’t always enough,” I said.

“Sad, but true,” Delaney agreed.

I thought about what Emilio had said. “I guess I could try to talk to him. Tell him how I feel and see if there’s a way to work it out. I hate the idea of giving up on him so easily. But on the other hand…” I sighed. What else needed to be said? On the other hand, he left. And wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

“It just won’t work,” I said. “I’ve got to choose me.”

Delaney looked at me as if I were a superwoman. “I admire you,” she said.

“Don’t admire me yet. Deciding to do it is one thing. Actually saying the words is another.”

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