Page 36 of A Heart to Find
Sidestepping Megan’s questions about the dance had become difficult, so she resorted to avoiding her texts and pretending to nap. And now the day of the formal had arrived, with still no plans discussed.
Six o’clock rolled by without a word from Jared.
They’d been practically inseparable since her injury.
Maybe that was the problem. He grew tired of her already. She couldn’t blame him–she’d been a lot of work this week. And perhaps nostalgia had run its course.
At least she wouldn’t have to be the one in the awkward position of having to break things off, even though there was nothing solid to stifle, anyway.
Maybe she was in the clear after all.
Relief flooded her tense body.
No conflict. No problems.
Belly rumbling, Keira grabbed a package of cookies and planted herself on the comfy sofa near the fireplace. She didn’t want to leave the room to get dinner and chance running into anyone who might question why she was skipping the big mid-program event. She couldn’t use her leg as an excuse since everyone had seen her walking around for the last couple of days with no issue.
And even though she didn’t care at all, other people would wonder why her so-called match didn’t want to take her to the special event.
With crumbs on her shirt and an overabundance of sugar melting into her tongue, Keira knew she had never been more satisfied.
Though she didn’t miss having the throngs of people crowding her room, she did sort of miss having a constant stream of coffee or tea brought directly to her.
Placing the package of cookies on the couch—what was left of them, anyway—Keira shifted to a stand, motivated by her strong need for tea to go with her cookies.
Unable to find any tea in the caddy, she opened drawers and searched the area. No tea anywhere. And only decaffeinated instant coffee. She’d rather go without than have that, but she also didn’t want to go out. Her need was strong. Strong enough to convince her to go down to the lobby café?
Yeah. She had a need.
Gritting her teeth, she slipped into her comfy sneakers, wincing a little when she twisted her leg the wrong way. Not fully healed, but perfectly fine the majority of the time.
The halls were empty. Everyone had probably whisked away to pre-dance dinners or other romantic events.
Like she would have if she had been with her actual match and not her mistake. Her strange-twist-of-fate-way-too-coincidental-messed-up mistake.
Only, he hadn’t been feeling like a mistake.
So why hadn’t he mentioned going to the dance?
Her head pounded with the need for caffeine. And a nap. Definitely a nap.
The barista in the lobby—Jane, if Keira remembered correctly—smiled broadly as Keira approached. “You’re walking again! How wonderful.” Keira thanked her for the help she had given during her rest period. Jane poured tea and made small talk about the upcoming formal as fancied up couples streamed through the area, all giddiness and infatuation. Keira tried to sound confident when she explained that she wasn’t planning to attend.
“I always look forward to the formals. Everyone looks so pretty and handsome and happy.” Blushing, Jane didn’t make eye contact as she handed the cup of tea across the counter. “I didn’t mean to offend. I’m sure your match will do something romantic for you. I guess it would be hard to dance when you’re still recovering from your fall.”
Keira slid a tip across the counter. “No offense at all. To be honest, I didn’t plan to go tonight, anyway, even before the injury. I have an important date with a package of chocolate chip pecan cookies. The only thing missing was this tea. So thank you.”
“Oh boy, Keira. Don’t turn around now, but you’re about to get a very big, very handsome surprise!”
Keira’s heart fluttered and then stopped as she registered the romantic, giddy look on Jane’s face and what the hands clapped over her smiling lips could possibly mean.
No.
Keira shifted her eyes to see if there was a way to escape what was about to become a very awkward situation.
No way out.
And she could feel him approaching.
