Page 2 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

Truthfully, I am, too, which is why I was excited when I found my soap vendor at the Maple Creek Fall Festival last year.

“Your boutique is so adorable. It’s one of my favorite places to shop. Whenever I come here, I feel like I can unwind from how stressful work can be.” Aubrey brings the soap and the candle to the register with a look of bliss on her face.

“That’s exactly what I want it to be. Eliza says the same thing—she always jokes that it smells better than therapy in here.”This is a big reason why I decided to open the shop. And I’ll do whatever I can to make sure it grows and survives. Because I can’t bear to lose it . . .

“Are you okay?” Aubrey scrutinizes me.

Did my face betray me? I paste on my signature smile. “Honestly, the shop is struggling. I have a loan I need to pay back, and I’m not sure I can continue to make these payments at this rate. But I’m sure everything will work out. It always does, right?”

Aubrey’s eyes widen. “I had no idea. Everything is so cute here, and I always see people coming in and out.”

I shake my head. “It’s not quite enough, but I’m sure it will be soon.” I smile cheerfully and change the subject. “Hopefully, that candle brings you good luck,” I tease her.

Her cheeks turn red. “Me, too. He’s got quite the pair of shoulders on him. And these huge biceps.”

It’s been a long time since I put my hands on a set of nice biceps. My ex-husband was rocking the dad bod, and I haven’t dated anyone since our divorce finalized last year.

“What about you, girl? Isn’t it about time you found a man?” Aubrey has that inventive grin on her face, like she’s up to something.

“Oh, no, no, no. You aren’t playing matchmaker with me.” I shake my head furiously.

“Come on, it’s been a hot minute since you and Jeremy split. You’ve got to be in the mood for some kissing.” She puckers her lips and shakes her shoulders.

“Ew, never say that again. And stop that.” I wave at her little demonstration.

She cocks her head to the side. “Don’t you think Nolan wants a baby brother or sister one day?”

“Speaking of Nolan,” I say, desperate to change the subject. “Did I tell you I signed him up for a soccer mentorship?”

“No, you did not. How’s that going?”

“There were a lot of applicants, so I’m not sure if he got in, but I hope he does because he really needs this.”

Her brows knit together. “I know he’s taken Jeremy’s move across the country really hard. Do you know when he should be due back?”

“I have no idea. He said he’d only be gone a few months on this work trip, and it’s been six months already.” I finish ringing her up, and she sticks her card in my reader.

“Has he come back at all to see Nolan at least?” Aubrey asks.

I shake my head, my stomach tying in knots at my least favorite subject. “Not once. And he’s not great about calling or answering his phone either.”

Aubrey’s mouth turns downward in a sympathetic frown. “Poor kid. I know he worships the ground Jeremy walks on. I can’t understand why Jeremy would move so far away from his kid.”

I shrug, and that old, familiar pang hits my chest. The helplessness and anxiety I fight so hard to bury. But sometimes it still takes over. “He was sick of living in Maple Creek. During our entire marriage, he complained about living here, but I refused to leave. I grew up here. All my closest friends are here. My family is here. There was no way I was giving any of that up.”

“I never knew about that. You’ve always been so closed off about the subject,” Aubrey said.

“I’m ready to be more open about it. I need to stop protecting Nolan’s dad.” Something unburdens in my heart as I say it. By protecting him, I’m not allowing myself to heal because I’m not facing the reality of what he did to me.

“Maybe you truly are ready for love,” Aubrey teases.

I twist up the rag I was wiping the counter with and snap it at her.

She laughs in response and leaps away from me. I chase her around the shop and get her a couple of times before putting the rag down.

We’re both laughing so hard we’re out of breath. “It’s time for me to close up for the night. I have to get Nolan from my mom’s and take him to soccer practice. Do you want to grab some coffee with me? I’m so tired I’m not sure I can make it to bedtime.”

“Girl, you know I’m always down for a coffee date with you.” She gathers her bag of purchases while I go to the office to get my purse and laptop. After soccer practice, I’ll do some more research on how to find success for my store. Another reason I need coffee this late.

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