Page 56 of Always Meant for You
Heat coils low in my stomach, tightening everything inside me.
He gets under my skin faster than anyone I’ve ever known, infuriating and magnetic all at once
I want to shove him away. I want to kiss him. I don’t do either because he lets go first.
“I want this town to do well,” I say, fighting to keep my voice steady. “I want you to do well. I want Jamie’s dream to come to life. You might not believe me, but that doesn’t make it less true.”
He doesn’t respond. He studies me with that unreadable expression he’s always worn when he’s thinking too hard and saying too little.
And the worst part is, he might not be wrong.
What have I sacrificed?
I tell myself I built Bella Mae to share my knowledge and to create a community.
But is that an honest assessment?
Or was it all for me? For my ego, for my wounded heart?
I turn away, headed for the door.
“I’m doing what Jamie would’ve wanted,” he calls from behind me.
Tears well in my eyes. I reach for the M and stare at the door. If I turn around, I’ll lose the last thread of control I’m hanging on to.
I step outside into the soft hum of early evening. The porch light flickers above the main house, moths batting against the glass. The sky feels closer than it should, the kind of close that warns of rain creeping in.
I sigh.
I left New York hoping to breathe.
But each breath here feels weighted. Every inhale a reminder that escape doesn’t always bring relief.
Cal’s words stay with me.
What have you done for anyone other than yourself?
I don’t have the energy to unpack that. Not tonight.
And I still need to figure out what happened to Cal’s farm.
But I need rest first.
I keep walking toward the main house.
Through the kitchen window, I catch sight of my father. He stands at the counter, hands braced wide, staring out into the dusk.
Our eyes meet for a fraction of a second.
He doesn’t look pleased.
Rest will have to wait.
I have to survive dinner with my father first.
Chapter Eleven
MABEL
