Page 74 of More Than Words
“A chance at what?”My head spun.I could not keep up.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“A chance at not having my entire livelihood destroyed, Ethan.That’s what.”She jerked out of my touch and wrapped her arms around herself like a hug.
Yes.I definitely missed something critical.“What are you talking about?”
“You know that patio that just got cheers and high-fives?The one that’s going to gorightin front of my store and be filled with rowdy people drinking alcohol and completely destroying the peaceful vibes of my bookstore?That’swhat I’m talking about.”
“Wait.”I opened my mouth and shut it again.“That’s it?That’swhy you’re upset?”
She took a step back as if I’d slapped her, and I instantly regretted my choice of words.
“I…it’s…” My gut twisted to see the way she was looking at me.“It’s nothing major, Delaney.It’s just a few tables.Maybe some umbrellas and?—”
“It’s right there, Ethan,” she cut me off.“Right out front of my door.The music.The loud patrons.Right outside my windows and the reading nook wheremycustomers sit and read.Where kids come for story time.Where people gather to talk about books and things that resonate with something deep inside them.And now, right outside there’s going to be abar.” She blinked hard.“So,yes, Ethan.It really is something major.And you didn’t even think to mention it to me.”
I didn’t mention it?But I must have.I searched my memory for the last few days and the time I’d spent with Delaney.Amazing time.All of it.We’d talked about so many things.And then we weren’t talking at all.But…
Shit.
It had popped in my head at breakfast the day before, but then…
“Don’t tell me it slipped your mind.”
I swallowed down the words and tried again.“It didn’t seem like that big a deal.”The words sounded weak coming out of my mouth.
Her expression cracked.Even in the dimly lit parking lot, I could see the glisten of a tear in her eye before she swiped at her face with a mittened hand.“You made me feel like we were building something together, Ethan.Something real.”
“We are.”
“No.”She shook her head.“Wearen’t.You were building something foryourself.And I was just…it doesn’t matter.”
“It does.”I reached for her, but she stepped out of my reach.“That’s not fair, Delaney.”
“No?”she asked, her eyes shining now.“Then why didn’t you say anything?Why didn’t you tell me about what you were planning or ask me what I thought?Why didn’t you talk to me about how it might impactme?Or my business.Or everything thatI’vebuilt.”
I didn’t have a good answer.
I forgot.I didn’t think of it.I didn’t want to bother her when she was already so busy.It didn’t seem important.
They all sounded like exactly what they were.Excuses.
“I should have told you,” I said.
She pulled her coat tighter.“It’s not even that you didn’t tell me, Ethan.It’s that you didn’t evenconsiderme.”
“Delaney—”
“I’m such an idiot.”Her voice cracked, but she didn’t back down.“You waltzed in next door with all your charm, smooth talking, and flirty smiles.And like a love-sick fool, I fell for it.”
My chest squeezed.“No.It’s not?—”
“I knew better,” she continued with a scoff.“But I still let it happen.I let you make me feel like I mattered.”
“You do!”
“Like this thing between us might actually be something real, and it might actually mean something.”
“Itdoes.”
