Page 8 of Promise Me

“I wish there was a way to get him back.”

I pause in the hallway; the eucalyptus smells from the wet steam room wafting from down the hall.

How did I not think of this before?

“I might know of a way,” I say quietly. Like I said, everyone in Lovers comes here. I might not run into Hudson right this very moment, but I still don’t want anyone to hear me.

“What is it?”

“If I can find a way to get Mrs. Whittaker to sell to me and not him, I think he’d leave me alone.”

“Or hate you forever.”

“Eh, we already have that feeling for one another, so that’s not really a loss for me.”

I ignore the stretching my body craves after that workout, and head right for my bag.

“It sounds like you have a plan.”

“Of course, I have a plan.”

“Okay, well, I want you to tell me more, but the truck just got here with our delivery of necessary baking goods.”

“Perfect. I’ll be in later and tell you everything.”

We click off the line, and I march out into the sunshine with a mega smile. I run through my mental checklist: shower, food, and then find Mrs. Whittaker to talk to her one-on-one.

I swing my leg over my bicycle, buckle my helmet, and start for my place.

Well, my dad's place. If having a headache over my business neighbor wasn’t enough, I’m also a twenty-eight-year-old woman who still lives with her dad.

There isn’t anything wrong with this for someone who wants that, but for me, it’s complicated.

A few years ago, I planned to buy the space that is now called Hudson’s. It comes with an apartment above it, and I was ready to make my move. I was ready to spread my wings and do my own thing. Multiple things happened that year to delay that dream. The biggest was when my mom died. I couldn’t leave my dad all alone. Not then. Not yet.

By the time I had things together and was ready to take on this project again, the space had been sold to another buyer. It was at least a month before I found out it was Hudson.

We can just add that to the list of reasons why I don’t care for him.

Sure, he didn’t know how badly I wanted that place because he didn’t even live here at that time, but still. He was always finding ways to piss me off. It clearly comes naturally to him.

Which is why I refuse to let him win this time. There is another apartment right above the space for sale. It’s mine. He doesn’t need it.

Sure, it would mean having Hudson as a neighbor, but it would finally be something that wasmine.

I turn into my driveway, open the garage to put my bike away and head inside.

Dad isn’t here. He’s at work.

I let out a sad laugh.

What must he think? His youngest still lives with him, and his oldest works with him. Does he love it, or does he hate that he has no space?

How upset would he be if I told him I was ready for some of my own?

I makeit downtown in record time, which isn’t a hardship considering you can get anywhere in Lovers in minutes. Still, I’m proud of the time I’m making this afternoon.

I park my bike in the back, noting how the door to the bakery is still open, with boxes everywhere.

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