Page 16 of Waiting to Love You

“Don’t worry,” Brady tells me. “Connor and Vance are good people, always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. Just be your charming self and everything will work out fine.”

“That’s what I’m worried about,” I admit.

No one’s ever called me charming in my entire life. My straightforward, no-bullshit attitude was great for being a Marine, but I doubt it will transfer over well to the civilian world.

“I can always just kick their asses for you if you don’t get hired.” He flops down onto the couch beside me as I stuff my foot into a boot.

I wasn’t too sure what to wear for an interview and went with a nice pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. It’s a construction company, so I doubt they come to work in a suit and tie.

“Easy there, slugger. I can handle my own battles. Thanks, anyway.” I finish lacing up my boots and stand. “I’m more worried about what I’m going to do if I don’t get the job.”

“Stop being so pessimistic.” Brady pushes up off the couch. “There are plenty of places to work in town. I’m sure you’ll find something in no time.”

I give him a tight smile before grabbing my keys off the hook beside the front door and heading out.

“Don’t wait up,” I call over my shoulder as I shut the door behind me and head toward my truck.

“Good luck today, Seth.” Mrs. Thomas waves at me as I pass. “Not that you’ll need it. Anyone would be a fool not to hire you.” She flashes me a bright smile before getting back to her garden.

“Thank you,” I grumble as I climb into my truck.

Brady gave me basic directions to get to the company’s main office right outside of town, but I don’t want to take any chances. I quickly plug the address into my GPS and pull out of the driveway.

Here goes nothing.

I’ve spent the last few weeks getting used to civilian life. Not having a predictable schedule every day has set my nerves on edge, and I’ve become restless. I sat around for the first day or two, unpacking my limited belongings and grabbing the few things I might need until I found a place of my own.

Brady took me around town, even though I knew most of the places he was pointing out. This isn’t my first time being in Tyson’s Creek, but it seems important to him that I know everything there is to know about my new home. We spent a little more time than he would’ve liked at the only coffee shop in town, which happens to be right next to Bristol’s yoga studio. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t plan on spending a lot of time there, trying to catch a glimpse of her, but I haven’t had any luck yet. She’s been in my thoughts and dreams since we spent that night together over a year ago, and now that I’m back in town, I don’t know how much longer I can go without seeing her.

I’ve tried calling her a few times, but I have had no luck getting through. Brady says I should stop being a creeper and leave a voicemail, but every time I hear her voice on the other line, I clam up. How do you sum up all your feelings for someone in a one-minute voice message?

I need to know how she’s doing. How has business at Nurture Space been? I want to know if she ever convinced her best friend, Audrey, to move to Tyson’s Creek. I want to know everything that I missed while I was gone, every little detail. Not because it’s important, but because it has to do with her.

Bristol is practically the only thing I could think about while over in the sandbox. I’d imagine what it would be like the first time we saw each other again. Would she be happy? Would she even remember me? Does she still feel the connection between us, the same connection I’ve been sure of since the moment I laid eyes on her? I know it sounds insane, but I know I’m falling for her. I was never one to believe in love at first sight… until I met her.

But what if she’s with someone else?

That nagging voice in the back of my head whispers in my mind for the millionth time since I moved to Tyson’s Creek to see if there can be something more between Bristol and me. But it’s been over a year. I never told Bristol my plans, so why would she have waited for me? She’s amazing both inside and out. A catch for any man that sparks her interest. Is it naïve of me to think she’d still be single after all the time?

The voice on my GPS brings me back to the present as it instructs me to turn right on Paradise Road. As I turn the corner, the construction company comes into view. I make my way down the dirt road, keeping my eye out for potholes, and turn into the first parking spot I find. I take a deep breath as I turn off the engine.

“If it’s meant to be, it will be,” I mumble to myself before pulling the keys out of the ignition. I open my truck door and jump out… directly into a large puddle of muddy water.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath as I slam the door, step out of the puddle, and shake the water from my boots.

Good thing I dressed for the job and not the interview. I look down and examine my boots, checking to see if my jeans are covered in mud.

“Sorry about that. We’ve been meaning to get the lot paved for a while now, but haven’t gotten around to it,” someone says from behind me.

My head snaps up, and I spin around and notice Connor standing behind me. Connor looks the same as he did the first time we met. His dirty-blonde hair is cut short on the sides and the top like a military haircut, and his jawline is covered in stubble the same color as his hair. A smile spreads across his face as he reaches his arm out toward me. “It’s great to see you again, Seth. Did you find the place okay?”

“Great to be here,” I answer with a smile before grasping his hand in a firm handshake. “Thanks so much for allowing me to interview for a position with your company. I was worried I wouldn’t find any place to work while I was trying to get on my feet. Moving to Tyson’s Creek was kind of a last-minute decision.”

“That’s not what I hear.” He chuckles, releasing my hand from his grip. “I believe a certain redhead may have had something to do with it.”

“Maybe a little.” I snicker softly before flashing him a friendly smile.

“Nothing wrong with that. When you find someone you care about, hold on to them with both hands,” Connor replies before stepping around me and striding toward the single-wide trailer a few yards in front of us.

---