Page 50 of A Heart to Find
“While I was living the life of my dreams in my hometown.”
“Hmm, sounded to me like you were yearning for some travel adventures of your own for a minute there.”
Megan had only known Keira for a week. How could she read her so easily?
“Keira, it’s okay to want more, even if you’re fully satisfied with your life choices. I’m learning that myself. Not that I’ve ever been satisfied with a life choice before coming here, but I’m learning that I deserve more. And you do, too.”
“I don’t know how I got so lucky to find you. I do believe we’ll be lifelong friends.”
“No question. And Matt and Jared have hit it off pretty well, so we can do coupley things together, too.”
Keira picked a fuzzy off her pants and stared at her lap.
Megan reached a hand over and placed it on Keira’s upper arm. “Whatever weird thing passed between you two will get worked out. You have twenty-four hours to process the experience, and then you get to talk it out. Don’t give up before you get to that point, okay?”
“But it’s not just that. I knew from the beginning this wasn’t meant to be. He can’t be my match. I’ve let my guard down, and now I feel like I’m being reminded of why it would never work between us. Just because I feel good around him when we’re being playful doesn’t mean we’re compatible for the long run. And I so desperately want what my grandparents had. I can’t waste more time on something I’m pretty sure isn’t going to work for the long haul. I don’t want to waste time on anything less than ‘til death do us part.’”
“The only advice I have for you is to watch for the signs. You’ve said yourself you believe your grandmother is making her presence known. She’ll let you know if you’re on the right path. But for now, go with the flow and see where it leads you. But stop overthinking. And here, eat this chocolate.”
Megan tossed a foil-wrapped chocolate onto Keira’s lap, and Keira wasn’t one to ever turn down a sweet from a friend. Megan then offered a piece to each of the women giving them their side-by-side pedicures.
“I accept your attempts to silence me because it would be rude not to accept your offerings.” Keira chewed her treat and thought aloud. “I hope the weather stays clear tonight. Stargazing night on the beach sounds too fun to miss.”
“Mmm, the perfect weather would be just cold enough to have to snuggle with our sweeties but clear enough that the event doesn’t get called off.”
And just like that, Keira wished for a blizzard.
She didn’t get her wish. In fact, the night couldn’t have been more perfect as far as winter weather in New England was concerned. Clear skies, infinite stars, not even a slight breeze.
The calm before the storm.
She knew it well. How the world grew peaceful and sedate before unleashing its fury on those who didn’t prepare.
A chill ran down her back at the thought.
She didn’t know what she hoped for anymore. For things to work with Jared or not. To enjoy her time with him or not. To lose herself to the love she knew had never gone away. Or not.
Or not.
Or most certainly not.
His deep, nostalgically soothing voice cut through her thoughts.
“Good thing we didn’t go out to dinner after all. Looks like they have a feast set up.”
She had told him she had a headache and needed rest before the beach event, so they hadn’t gone to dinner as they had previously planned. His offer to drop off something to eat had filled her with guilt, so even though her stomach rumbled all evening, she pretended she wasn’t hungry. She hated to tell even white lies, but she needed a break from everything for a short while.
Drooling as they walked past the tables set up with various cheeses, crackers, and fruit, she almost kissed him when he suggested stopping to fill a plate before finding their spot around the fire.
Not that she actually wanted to kiss him. Not at all.
Liar.
Ugh. Food. She needed food. A distraction. And maybe a drink.
As if reading her mind, Jared poured her a glass of wine.
“I think we might need a lot of this to get through this particular group event.”
