Page 108 of Building What's Meant to Be

For so long, I was a stand-in in my own life. When I finally made one of my own, here I am, leaving.

But there’s nowhere to go...and there’s no one I’d rather be with other than Aiden. Yes, even though he deceived me. We were both playing roles. But I can’t help but think about how,like my father, he was married to his job. Unlike my mother, I did not have an affair, but all the same, the trust was broken.

Beside me, Brave lets out a little whine. Can Aiden and I rebuild trust just like Brave did by accepting the humans in his life were going to take care of him?

How about Mae and me? I was a royal jerk to her, but she forgave me. Taylor too. Could Aiden and I see past our mistakes and try again?

I think of Beatrice and her bees. Her love story buzzes in my mind. Aiden is my Bubba with the soda, sticking up for me to the bad guys. He’s my partner in crime, er, community service. He believed in me every time I did something stupid at the bakery and when I decided to become a beekeeper. In a world of randomness where the miracles are all the things that don’t happen, that’s a pretty wild hobby.

And the chances of falling in love are even slimmer. But I do love him. A lot.

At the hotel, I set my alarm for early the next morning to catch my flight. But I don’t sleep. Instead, I replay these last days in my head. I’m still watching the highlight and lowlight reels when I drag myself out of bed, shower, and get ready.

The same driver as yesterday picks me up, and my greeting sounds more like a grumble than I mean for it to, but my thoughts won’t stop or pause or do anything other than rewind and repeat.

What did I do when it was my turn to stand by Aiden when he got lost? When he didn’t quite navigate his life the way I’d have liked him to? I turned my back on him.

I won an award in my diva dream, but the only one waiting for me is if I do the right thing, even if it’s the hard one. For so long, I was chasing what I thought was a dream when really it left me feeling empty. Alone, even when I was with friends and dating guys. Empty, even when surrounded by luxury items and expensive clothes.

Aiden filled me up with real love even if it didn’t come with any accessories. Well, his Maybach leaves me with a question about what else he might be hiding. Guess those love hearts in my eyes were pretty big not to have asked about that.

I have to fix this. It’s up to me.

The answer to my question is a lot closer than I think. I give the dog a scratch. “Thanks, boy.”

It’s time to be brave.

Maybe I’ll turn around this riches-to-rags love story yet.

“Sir,” I call to the driver. “Can you bring me back to Butterbury?”

When I get to the boutique, Christina decorates a shelf with colorful bunting. Camellia sends a text. Louella Belle brings some boxes in from the back. Mae sits with the baby in her arms, nursing. It’s a picture-perfect scene of friendship. For a minute there, I was part of it. Could still be, I hope.

Brave lets out a little bark, announcing our return.

They all stop what they’re doing and rush over to me except Mae who waves, and says, “You’re back.” Though I can’t tell if it’s a statement of welcome or if she’s asking if I forgot my toothbrush.

“Mae, I don’t want to make this your problem, but your brother is driving me crazy. I’m in love with him.” I slap my hand over my mouth.

The corner of her lip lifts in a grin. “And he’s on his way to profess the same to you.”

“On his way where? I’m here.”

“By now, he’s probably in Savannah.”

I press my palm to my forehead.

“But let’s talk about driving and crazy, seeing as he’s actually driving to Savannah and what went down here in Butterbury was actually crazy,” Camellia says.

“I can’t stop thinking about him.” I go on to describe everything I love about the man. “His business look, the biker dude, and how sometimes he’s rumbling inside like an uncaged beast. Also, have you seen his face?” If I were to see mine in a mirror right now, I’d have hearts and stars in my eyes.

“Yes, he’s my brother, of course, I’ve seen his face,” Mae says with a grimace.

“He’s so good-looking. And have you smelled Aiden? He smells like clean and aftershave and man and his muscles and the way he smooshes and—”

“Alright, I get it,” Mae interrupts, pumping her hand for me to stop gushing about her big brother.

“Yep, sounds like he’s really driving you wild...and he just called from Savannah, frantic, because you’re not there,” Bess says, tucking a box from Sweethearts behind her back.

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