Page 28 of Summer in Kentbury
That’s a question I’ve never asked myself, but instinctively I respond. “Probably for the right person.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and I can almost feel the weight of my words hanging between us. I shift my weight from one footto the other, suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed, as if I’ve revealed a part of myself I didn’t even know existed.
“I guess I would too,” she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “For the right person, I mean.”
I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Good to know,” I say, trying to keep my voice light despite the fluttering in my chest.
“So, you’ll be here for the opening?” she asks, steering the conversation back to safer ground.
I hesitate for a moment, torn between my responsibilities in Boston and the pull of Kentbury—of Lavender. “Not sure, but I’ll try my best to find a way to delegate,” I say finally, a compromise that feels both inadequate and necessary.
“Everyone is going to be thrilled to hear that,” she says, her voice filled with genuine excitement.
“But, Lav,” I say, my heart racing as I gather the courage to speak my mind. “After long consideration, we’re going to tweak the challenge.”
“Oh,” she whispers.
“I do plan on getting to know you and be your friend. Just . . . until I learn how to crack my chest open and give you what you deserve.”
I’m not sure where that comes from. No, I’m not in love with her or anything, but there’s something between us, I know. To this day, I can’t stop thinking about her. Every morning, she’s my first text, and at night, my last thought. Who knows what that means? Obviously, people who have been in love—but I wantto pursue it and get to the bottom of the situation where maybe I can finally figure out what the fuss is about.
“Oh,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper, and I can imagine her eyes widening in surprise, her lips parted slightly as she processes my words.
“I’ll text you tomorrow before I head out for my daily run. Sweet dreams, Lav,” I say, my voice soft and warm, a promise of things to come.
I hang up the phone, my heart still pounding in my chest as I lean back against the railing, a grin spreading across my face. I feel lighter somehow, as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, a sense of clarity washing over me.
I know I’ve taken a risk, putting my feelings out there like that, but somehow, my gut tells me it’s right. Like a piece of a puzzle falling into place, a step toward something bigger, something more meaningful than anything I’ve ever experienced before.
As I look out over the city, the lights twinkling like stars in the distance, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement, of anticipation for what the future holds. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, taking a chance on something that could change my life forever.
And even though I don’t know what the future holds, even though there’s still so much uncertainty and so many challenges ahead, I know one thing for sure: I’m ready to take that leap, to dive headfirst into the unknown and see where it takes me.
With a smile on my face and a spring in my step, Ihead back inside, already counting down the hours until I can see Lavender again.
Is this crazy?
This is probably the craziest venture I’ve ever considered, but my soul says it’s worth it.
She’s worth it.
Chapter Sixteen
Lavender
“You might be right,”I admit as soon as Ruby picks up the phone.
“I’m the most amazing person in the world?” she responds, her voice dripping with humor. “I already knew that, but I’m glad we finallyagree on something.”
“Sure, but also about Sinclair,” I reply, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
When she visited a few weeks back, Ruby saw the amount of texts Sinclair sent me since he left, and she insisted that he has a thing for me. Something beyond wanting to play naked with me by the lake. Well, those weren’t her words. She said getting frisky . . . I’m not sure if that’s even a word we use in this century. Having children and using old words because they sound more sensible is getting old, but I love her anyway.
At the time, I thought she was crazy, but what he just told me during the phone call. . . it left me completely speechless, my heart racing and my mind reeling with possibilities.
“That the guy might want a few dates before he proposes?” Ruby teases, and I can almost see the smirk on her face.
I told her she was wrong. The guy is a closed-up book and is aware that I want more than just a fling. Surprisingly, he’s actually willing to step up, forge a deep connection and see where that takes us.
