Page 8 of King of My Heart

I nodded, unsure what else to say. She seemed to be weighing her next move, and I didn’t want to push her too hard in case she decided I wasn’t worth the trouble. Finally, she sighed and pushed herself off the counter.

“Look, kid, I don’t know what you’re expecting to find here, or why you think you can reunite a father and son, but Caz isn’t exactly a warm and fuzzy type. He’s…intense. And he’s got his reasons.”

“I’m not expecting much,” I said truthfully. “I just want to check on him. Talk to him. For Julian. And maybe I can help them get closer again.”

Theresa stared at me for another long moment, then shrugged. “Well, good luck with that.”

“Thanks,” I said, trying to sound sincere. “For not kicking me out.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she muttered. “This might not end the way you think it will. But I admire your determination.”

She turned and left, leaving me alone in the tiny house. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and glanced around the space. It was small but cozy, with just enough room for a bed, a kitchenette, and a little seating area by the window.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, my mind suddenly racing. Caspian was here, somewhere in this village. The man who’d been a constant topic on Julian’s tongue. But what would I say to him?

What if he didn’t believe me being Julian’s girlfriend? Well,ex.

And what if he slammed the door in my face and told me to fuck off because he didn’t want random people to appear out of the blue?

That would only be fair.

I rubbed my temples and sighed. Why did I think this was a good idea?

Well, I was being adventurous. And the worst case scenario would be not getting to reunite Julian with his father.

One thing was certain: I wasn’t leaving Hilton Beach without at least trying. Whether he liked it or not, I was here and wasn’t giving up that easily.

Chapter 2

DARWYNN

The general store was exactly what I’d expected from a tiny village like Hilton Beach. Wooden shelves were stocked with the essentials.

Canned goods, fresh produce, a small selection of meats, and a few household items. There was even a corner dedicated to handmade jewelry and locally made jelly and honey. It smelled faintly of cedar and coffee. It was a comforting mix that made me linger a little longer than I needed to.

I grabbed a few things to make a simple dinner.

Pasta, a jar of marinara sauce, a small pack of parmesan cheese, and a bundle of fresh basil that looked like it had been plucked from someone’s garden just this morning. I also picked up a pack of chips, a bar of chocolate, and a loaf of bread from a basket near the counter.

The cashier was a thirty-something man with a friendly smile and a name tag that read “Henry.” He rang me up while making small talk, which I happily participated in.

I liked doing small talk. Not sure why.

I liked the awkwardness of it.

“New in town?” he asked, bagging my items.

“Just visiting,” I replied, keeping my answer short.

“Staying long?”

“Couple of weeks, maybe more.”

He nodded, his blue eyes scanning me with the same curiosity Theresa had earlier. “Well, enjoy your stay. It’s quiet around here, but the sunsets are worth it.”

“I’ve heard,” I said, smiling politely as I paid for my things.

“I’m Henry. I live right across the street,” he told me, pointing his finger to the blue house on the other side. “And I own this store.”

---