Page 81 of One Sweet Day I Found You

“But I feel terrible because I can see how Nick would view things that way. I mean, if the shoe were on the other foot, I certainly would’ve…” Courtney rolled her eyes. “Oh, I never should’ve brought him to my place.”

“Right. Oh, man.” Kira shook her head.

Courtney stared out at the lake. It felt good to unload a little, but the subject made her upset, regardless.

“So, are you guys broken up?”

Courtney shrugged again. “That’s the thing. I don’t know.” Her voice started to tremble. “It seems like it?” She took off her sunglasses and wiped an eye. “He won’t even return a simple text.”

“Aw, honey,” Kira moaned. “I’m so sorry to hear that. You two were so cute together!Areso cute together.”

Courtney blinked and gazed at the sand in front of their feet, wiping the moisture from beneath each eye. The beach was no place for tears.

Kira put a hand on Courtney’s arm. “Keep trying though. He’ll come around. That boy has been happier lately than I’ve seen him all year.Youdid that. You two just need to talk.”

Courtney sniffled. “Really? I mean—I’ve been trying to get him to talk, but he won’t let me in. It’s been radio silence on his end. So now, I’m giving him some time to cool off. I just don’t know how long it will take.”

Kira sighed heavily. “Men. Amazing when they’re happy. Frustrating the rest of the time.”

Courtney forced one side of her mouth up, put her sunglasses back on, and lay back down on her towel. Kira flipped over to sun her back.

Courtney closed her eyes. “You’ve got that right.”

* * *

The late afternoonair was heavy with humidity. Courtney inhaled the fresh scent of flowers surrounding the beautiful house and knocked on the door.

Moments later, the lock turned and her landlord opened the heavy door. “I brought you something, Mrs. Brady,” she announced.

Mrs. Brady’s eyes lit up. “Well, hello, Courtney. You did?”

Courtney held out some books. “I stopped at the library yesterday and picked up a couple of the latest titles. I know how much you love to read mysteries. Have you seen these two yet?”

Mrs. Brady’s expression melted into warmth as she carefully took the books from Courtney. “Why no, I haven’t seen these yet, dear. They look wonderful. That is so kind of you! Oh, and it’s the large print edition, too! You remembered me telling you that, didn’t you? That makes it much easier on these old eyes. Thank you so much.”

Courtney smiled. “You’re welcome.”

“And please, you should be calling me Victoria by now.”

“Okay, thank you. I will. And I’m so glad—I was hoping you hadn’t read them yet.”

“You know, this is wonderful timing. I just finished my latest book.”

Courtney’s heart warmed. She didn’t know why, but she liked to make the woman happy.

Courtney held up a paper bag from one of the local restaurants that Victoria had mentioned were on her list of favorites when they’d first met. “I also brought you dinner. It’s that pasta from the Heritage Grill you told me about.”

“Oh, my goodness—my favorite fancy pasta with alfredo sauce? I was just wondering what was left of Josie’s cooking. I finished most of it last night.”

Josie Schlagel cooked several days’ worth of meals for Victoria and stored them in the refrigerator for the five days per week she didn’t come to the house. Victoria had told her over one of their chats as she raved about Josie’s cooking.

“I’m so glad I wasn’t too late for your dinner tonight, then.”

“Courtney, won’t you sit down with me for a few minutes?” Victoria pointed to the inviting, wide porch.

“Sure, I’d love to. How about I put this in the kitchen for you first?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” Courtney helped Victoria into a seat. Victoria sat back and Courtney ran inside. Returning, she took a seat on the sofa. They listened to the pleasant summer sound of the crickets chirping. “So how have you been lately?” she asked the older woman.

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