Page 353 of One More Kiss

Jules

I settleinto a routine as the days pass, and I grow more comfortable with my place in town. I’ve familiarized myself with the newer additions to the town I grew up in and I’ve even found a favorite breakfast restaurant that has the best waffles I’ve ever tasted. The hostess greets me by name now when I come in to eat. A sense of belonging has settled into my chest, like this is the place I was meant to be all along.

When Anna offers me a job as her office manager after she finds out her current manager is leaving next month, I tell her I’ll think about it. I know I should have told her no. I’m technically still just visiting, even if it has been over a month now. I’m still staying in a rental cabin that I know I can’t rent forever. But the more I think about Anna’s offer, the more appealing it is. I could rent an apartment or even buy a house. I could really put down roots here in a way I never felt comfortable doing with Jared. This time it would be all my doing instead of following along with what other people think I should do.

It isn’t until I’m walking around at the 4th of July festival that I know for sure what I want to do. I walk down the rows of stalls filled with arts and crafts and local jams and honey. I see smiling families and groups of teenagers pretending to be too cool for all of it. All at once, it hits me. I don’t want to leave this town. I love it here. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m right where I belong. And I’m going to stay.

Later, I meet Anna at The Hole before the annual fireworks show and tell her my decision. She hugs me and lets out an ear-piercing squeal of excitement.

“This is going to be so great!” she says, bouncing in her chair.

I laugh. “As long as you’re a decent boss,” I say, giving her a narrow-eyed stare.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m the sweetest, and you know it.”

“I have no doubt,” I say.

Anna raises her glass and I follow suit.

“To new beginnings,” she says.

“To my new boss,” I say, touching my glass to hers.

We both drink as Deac comes over. “What’s the toast about? Do I need to get a drink and join in?”

Anna gestures toward me. “Say hello to my new office manager.”

Deac’s eyes go wide, and he grins at me. “Yeah? You’re staying?”

I nod. “Yep. I’ve decided this town needs me.”

The familiar strains of Sweet Home Alabama start playing overhead and Deac’s eyes light up. He takes my drink from my hand and sets it on the table before pulling me to my feet.

“This calls for a celebratory dance,” he says with a wink that has me rolling my eyes.

I don’t resist as he pulls me out onto the dance floor and leads me into a dance that I vaguely remember from my high school prom. It doesn’t match the music at all, but that doesn’t matter. We’re both laughing and messing up the steps. I can hear Anna cat-calling us from her chair. The whole thing is ridiculous, but so much fun. My face hurts from smiling, and I’m out of breath by the time Deac and I make our way off the dance floor.

When I notice Cole standing next to Anna, a dark expression on his face, my steps nearly falter. But I lift my chin and make my way back to the table without letting him see that he’s rattled me just by being here.

“Cole!” Deac shouts. “Glad you could make it. Did Anna tell you the good news?”

My stomach drops. The last thing Cole wants to hear is that I’m staying in his town. He’d much rather hear that I’m leaving, never to return. Anna tries to give Deac a subtle shake of her head, but he’s oblivious, as usual.

“Jules is taking over as Anna’s office manager next month after Sherry leaves,” Deac says. He claps Cole on the back. “She’s staying for good. Isn’t that great?”

I see a muscle tick in Cole’s jaw. “Yeah. Great.”

His tone is glacial, bringing down the entire mood at the table. I can see the moment Cole’s reaction registers with Deac. His smile fades and he looks at Cole with a thoughtful expression. But before he can say anything, Cole speaks again.

“On second thought, I think I’m too tired for fireworks tonight,” he says. “I think I’ll head home.”

Before anyone can say or do anything to stop him, Cole turns and makes his way toward the exit. All at once, I’m furious. I don’t think about what I’m doing. I surge to my feet and go after Cole. I don’t know what I hope to accomplish. I just know I’m sick of him avoiding me. I’m sick of this weird dance we keep doing. This town is too small. Everywhere I go, he’s there. All my friends are his friends, for god’s sake. How does he think this is going to work? I catch up to him outside as he steps off the porch and stalks toward the parking lot. I’m still ten feet behind him when I shout.

“What the hell is your problem?”

Cole stops walking and his shoulders stiffen. He turns and glares at me, but I’m unfazed by his attempt at intimidation.

“I don’t have a problem,” he says in a tight voice. “I just don’t want to be in a crowd tonight.”

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