Page 104 of Stirring Up Love
Chicago was already a four-letter word around town, with two strikes against it as a big city and the home of rival sports teams. “That’s nothing new.”
“Maybe not. But did you know Grace threw a watch party for your episode ofThe Executivesat the Back Forty? Place was packed.”
A watch party? Why had she never heard about it? Maybe because she hadn’t stopped in at the Back Forty for a few months, too worried she’d wind up bellying up to the bar alone.
But Meg wasn’t finished. “Ever since Matt heard you wanted to set up a retail shop, he’s been dying to ask if you’ll sell his jackets and bags—you know the studded leather ones?”
“Then why hasn’t he?”
“Because he’s worried you’ll brush him off. You left and came back and didn’t try to reach out.”
“Because I was worried everyone would resent me. I wanted to prove how committed I was first.”
“Resent you? Girl, most people adore you.” An echo of Finn’s words.From what I can tell, the whole town loves you.
“Don’t you remember what happened when you asked the Yarn Spinners for help getting rid of Finn? They showed up on a moment’s notice, no questions asked.”
Simone rubbed a hand on Willow’s forehead. “I know the town is full of kind people. That’s one reason I love it here. It’s just that everyone’s created these rich lives of their own. They don’t need me.”
“Who said anything about needing?” Meg asked. “It’s about wanting. You want to be in their lives. So reach out. Tell them.”
“I tried that when I moved away. No one came to visit.”
“Simone Eleanor Blake, are you really holding a seven-year grudge?” Meg clocked her face and said, “Don’t answer that. But you do realizeyou were eighteen when you left. You’ve grown up. Maybe your friends have too. Open up, tell them you miss them, and see if they feel the same way.”
“I guess it can’t be worse than spending another year wondering if everyone hates me.”
But she wasn’t the only one who’d doubted their place here. Finn had been so uncertain of her feelings that he’d taken himself out of the equation altogether. All because she couldn’t bring herself to admit she wanted him in her life.
Once she got started, talking about her feelings sucked a lot less than holding them in. “Since you’re already imparting wisdom, may as well go ahead and tell me what you were going to say about Finn.”
“Are you sure? You’re not going to like it.” Safe bet. “I was going to say you might not be better off without him. Not that you aren’t whole without him. Your worth isn’t dependent on anyone else, and I know you know that. But why is the possibility that Finn might make your life better so scary for you?” Meg asked the question without a hint of criticism. “Maybe if you sit with your feelings, it’ll help you sort them out.”
As opposed to her current strategy of avoiding her feelings like gopher holes in a pasture?
Could she maybe test out that advice sometime in the future? Like way, way in the future? “Tomorrow is my big meeting withThe Executives,” Simone said. “It’s a long shot, but it’s my last chance to salvage a deal. Now is not the time to have a heart-to-heart with myself.”
“Maybe that’s what makes it the perfect time.” Meg said, back to impersonating a camp counselor. Maybe Simone had been better off not opening up.
Nah.
CHAPTER 37
FINN
Finn stood in front of the microwave and watched the frozen dinner spin in a gloomy pirouette. A full day gone since he’d walked out on Simone at the wedding. He’d fallen into bed last night, then worked a double at Bellaire.
But with his Sunday shift over and sleep elusive, there was no more avoiding his feelings in the stillness of the midnight hour. No more avoiding the fact that tomorrow he and Simone were supposed to videoconference withThe Executives, and he wouldn’t be on the call.
He’d walked away from the chance of a lifetime and screwed Simone over in the process.
The microwave dinged, and he flinched. Despite everything, she didn’t trust him. Didn’t trust his heart, his reason for sticking by her side. If she took the deal, she’d always wonder. And if she didn’t, then he would.
So he’d made the choice for both of them. A choice that left him back in Springfield, standing in someone else’s kitchen. But this time he didn’t have the heart to bring ingredients to life and make it feel like home. Home was out of reach, and he was worn out from falling short.
He opened the microwave and pulled out the plastic container. Heat stung the pads of his fingers, and he dropped it on the marble countertop. He ripped off the plastic and stabbed a fork into the middle. Still frozen. He took a bite anyway, teeth crunching into icy shards of tomato sauce.
“This is brutal to watch.” Darius had entered the kitchen in plaid pajama pants and a gray tee, laptop under his arm.
