Page 126 of Desserts for Stressed People

Chapter32

Back to the Future

The horses fountainis surrounded by tourists taking photographs and eating ice cream from the kiosk on the other side of the square. The sun is warm, which must be why there’s such a big crowd here on a random Tuesday.

Gripping the box in my hand, I let out a shuddering breath. I thought about this long and hard, and I hope Shane will appreciate it, but I can’t be sure. Still, it took me forty-eight consecutive hours of work since I thought of it, so...“Too late to back down now,” I mumble to myself.

But I could use some luck.

With a smile, I fish into the back pocket of my jeans and take out a coin. I step away and turn until the fountain is behind me. Then, I wish with all my heart that Shane will love my gesture, that he won’t think it’s a pathetic attempt at buying his forgiveness, and toss the coin over my shoulder and into the fountain.

I rush back to the horses and look through the rippling water as the small silver disk sinks and joins hundreds of others just like it. Knowing they’re all symbols of people’s wishes and hopes makes me see them with different eyes. Now, I kind of love them.

The wind blows hard enough that I fear I’ll end up with my ass in the canal, but I hold on to my box and slide along the wall until I reach the arch. With a final jump, I hop on the other side.

Everything here is like it was, of course. The weeds have grown, and the roof might be one day closer to giving in and collapsing. But everything looks the same, though everything’s different for me.

I move to the center of the space, where Shane kissed me under the stars, and look through the hole on the dilapidated ceiling. Clouds race each other on the blue background. If I close my eyes, I can almost still taste his lips, feel his breaths mixing with mine.

After walking to the column, I set the box I’m holding behind it, exactly where I picked up the red one almost two months ago. Mine is white and much bigger, but I guess it’s the thought that counts. At least I hope so.

Glancing at the green door, I drop Shane’s key onto the box. It’s only fair, considering he gave me back my key chain. Besides, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come back here. As much as I love it, this place is him, and it’s his. Hopefully, he’ll get my box and he’ll appreciate it. He’ll understand.

I take one last look around, my gaze lingering on the black railings, on the red bricks covering the walls. I will miss this place almost as much as I’ll miss Shane.

“It seems like this town ain’t big enough for the both of us.”

With a jump, I turn to find Shane standing by the entrance. My heart’s beating so fast I bring my hand to my chest. “Jesus—shit.”

He smirks, passing under the big arch. He’s in his usual attire, and though his blue suit fits him as well as ever, he looks a little more tired than last I saw him. There’s stubble on his cheeks, and he looks somewhat tense. Maybe nervous.

“The Western Code,” I whisper. What he just said—it’s a quote from the movie that was playing on the night we first chatted on RadaR—a night permanently ingrained in my mind.

“Mm-hm. OrToy Story.” He halts in front of me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Still getting my heart to slow down, I wave him off. “Why don’t you use the door?”

“It’s more fun this way,” he says, biting his lower lip for a second. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing, I...” I won’t lie to him ever again. I’ll possibly never lie to anyone again for the rest of my life. “I’m leaving. I was just dropping something off for you.”

He glances at the box, walking past me and toward it. “Did I leave something at your apartment?”

Oh, no. Everything of his disappeared from my apartment on the same day it all ended, when my extra key appeared on my table. He left nothing behind. “No. It’s just—” He leans down to open the box. “It’s a...” The lid pops open. “Shane?”

He halts, his cocoa irises scanning my face. “Yes?”

“I’d like you to check that out only once I’m gone. I’m afraid otherwise you might misinterpret it.”

With a smirk on his lips, he passes his fingers through the folders inside. “I thought we’d already established you can’t always get what you want, Heaven.” He grabs the first one, his brows furrowing as he reads the title. “Project Outline.” Setting his gaze on me, he shrugs. “What’s this?”

“I—I wanted to thank you.” I shuffle on my feet and lick my dry lips. “It’s my way of saying that I’m sorry, and I’m grateful for the role you’ve played in my life. No matter how brief.”

He scratches his neck. “Okay. Butwhatis it?”

“This.” I point around me. “This place. I know you want to sell it and make some profit, but I’ve come up with another plan. Should you be interested in keeping it.”

He squints for a couple of seconds, then opens the folder, scrolling through the pages. “Okay. Sell me your vision.”

---