Page 13 of Bookstore Bliss

“An old girlfriend though,” she leans against the kitchen counter. “Is this the Kristen you dated in high school?”

“Yes, things just didn’t work out. Sort of like with us.” I gesture between us.“Both situations we were young and dumb. Thinking love solved everything.”

“That’s why you think we didn’t work out?” Her eyebrows rise and I nod a yes in response. “Seth you clearly never got over Kristen. We dated, I got pregnant, and we got married. Sure, we were in love, but you never had a whole heart to give to me.”

Her words sink in. I’m not sure how to reply. I thought Jacq and I just didn’t have that spark after Riley came into our lives.

“I’m sorry Jacq, I guess I didn’t realize how much I’ve been letting my past affect me.”

“It’s okay, we only got married to appease our parents. Things just don’t work out sometimes.” Jacq shrugs and we move to the living room.

I start to get my shoes and Jacq goes to help Riley.

I wonder how Kristen’s meeting with the realtor went and if she’s leaving soon.

Maybe I have time to apologize.

Riley comes out with her backpack and current favorite stuffed animal in her tiny arms. I take the bag from Jacq and we head to the car. After Riley is in Jacq motions me off to the side for a moment.

“Don’t be stupid this time around and let her get away.” She kisses my cheek.

I chuckle lightly before I thank her for the lasagna and the advice.

After Riley goes to bed, I pour a small amount of whiskey and sit in the living room thinking about the ways I can apologize. Jacq was right, I gave Kristen my heart long ago.

But how do you tell your ex that they should uproot their life and give you a second chance?

It’s a ridiculous idea. I should let Kristen get back to California and her life out on the west coast. She has a job she clearly loves.

But what if this is the only chance I have for happiness?

There is something between us. I know it. My mind and my heart are battling it out. Between the endless possibilities playing out in my brain and the whiskey I’m going to have a headache in the morning. I take some pain reliever and drink a glass of water before heading to bed.

I don’t have a plan further than taking Kristen a piece of chocolate cake and apologizing.

9

KRISTEN

Leisurely Saturday mornings are my favorite. With a mug of coffee in hand I go downstairs to reevaluate the layout of the store. I spoke with my realtor and canceled the listing. It wasn’t just what the girls said about Seth and having regrets. But the idea that my grandmother’s legacy would just disappear. She left me her favorite place in the whole wide world and I intend to revive it.

At some point, I’ll run into Seth. It’s a smalltown after all. For now, I’m going to focus on the store and trying to get a rental house or apartment. Sleeping on the pullout upstairs is not ideal.

I’m deep into cleaning mode when the bell chimes. The duo whom I fully expected to avoid me enter.

Riley runs to greet me. “We brought you cake!” she squeals as she jumps up and down. She shows me her pink cake pop with colorful sprinkles and takes the box from her dad to give to me.

“Thanks, Riley!” I take the cake and eye Seth.

His stuffs his hands in his pockets. He’s avoiding my eye contact. I want to ask him about the other day but Riley is talking a million words a minute. I don’t know if she’s taken a single breath since she walked in. I smile as she continues chatting.

“Daddy says you don’t, but I think you might, and so do you have more dinosaur books that I can read?” her eyes are wide as she waits for me to respond.

“Actually, I found more this week,” she pumps her little fist into the air and lets out a loud “yes”. “They’re over by the green chair in the corner. Do you remember?”

She nods and asks Seth if she can get more books.

“Of course.” he’s barely finished speaking before she runs off. “Don’t run Riley,” he shouts but she’s already gone.

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