Page 15 of The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever
Trying once again not to get mired down in their past, he waved to the grass, still holding her hand. “Want to sit or take a walk?”
“Walk,” she said quickly, giving away her nervousness.
They followed the railroad tracks, as they’d done so many times before, along the open fields that ran behind the buildings at the entrance to town.
“Nothing’s changed,” she said. “It’s hard to believe they never fixed up the theater.”
She glanced up at him through long, dark lashes, and electricity arced between them. It wasn’t just the sparks of sexual tension heating up the air; it felt complicated and layered, and it vibrated with as much hurtful history as it did hopeful sensuality. She shifted her eyes away, and he felt her hold his hand a little tighter.Good.He wasn’t alone in his confusion.
“Some things have changed,” he said, “but until they’re willing to sell the theater to someone who wants to pour blood, sweat, and tears into it, it’ll remain empty.”
“Good luck with that. People around here have had the same jobs, the samelives, forever.” She winced. “Sorry. That probably sounded snotty.”
“No, it’s true. But it’s one of the things I like about it here. I like that the place we came together is still the same as it always was and that the library still has our initials carved in a tree out back. And that the diner where my aunt and uncle took me to celebrate every birthday is still here and run by the same couple.” He stopped walking and turned toward her. “And I like that you’re here, and that we ran into each other. I never stopped thinking about you, Grace.”
Her lips parted as if she was going to say something, but just as quickly, she pressed them together.
“Why is this so hard for you, when everything between us used to be so easy?”
She fidgeted with the hem of his sweatshirt, and he grasped for something to get her talking.
“I put an offer in on the theater.”
Shock registered in her eyes. “You…? What are you trying to do? Re-create the past?”
“Hardly. Do you think I want to relive losing you all over again?” He let that sink in for a minute. The property was a smart investment. The closest movie theater, a large cineplex, was thirty minutes away and about as personable as a highway. Reopening the theater would not only offer local entertainment, but it would also provide employment opportunities and hopefully stir up the economy for the small town. But those weren’t the main reasons he’d purchased it.
“It came on the market a few weeks before I got back to town. I had no idea we’d find each other again beyond a quick hello when you were here to visit. Breathing new life into historic buildings is what I do for a living. This theater might not be designated as historic, but it’s an iconic landmark to the area, and to me. I feelgoodwhen I’m here. Some of my best memories took place right behind this theater. Whywouldn’tI try to buy it?”
“It’s just surprising, that’s all. Suddenly you’re back and you’re buying up property. My mother said you were some type of historic preservation expert, but…”
“I don’t know aboutexpert, but I love what I do,” he said humbly, downplaying the fact that he’d been one of the leading preservationists in Michigan. None of that mattered. He hadn’t become an expert for notoriety. He’d followed his passion.
“I couldn’t pass up a chance at restoring this beauty. The deal isn’t sealed yet, but I’m hoping it comes through. It’s the perfect project for Roy and me to kick off our business.” He’d purchased it on his own, but if this deal came through, Cross and Son would be known for making it shine. “But I don’t want to spend our time talking about work. Tell me what you were about to say back at the creek.”
Her eyes shifted away again.
“Come on, Gracie. Since when have you shied away from speaking your mind?”
“Since speaking my mind means bringing up the things that hurt most.”
He reached for her other hand, and she didn’t try to pull it away, which surprised him. “All the more reason to get it out in the open. We’re either going to be friends or we’re going to be lovers, but we’renotgoing to be enemies.”
She shook both hands free and set them on her hips with an appalled expression. “When did you get so full of yourself?”
“I’m not full of myself. We said we weren’t going to hide from the truth. I’m just throwing it all out there. Here, you want me to start with the hard stuff?” He pushed a hand through his hair and paced a few steps before stopping and meeting her gaze again. His chest constricted, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from finally saying the things he never could.
“It sucked that you chose college over me, but I get it. Maybe I didn’t then, but who can process that at eighteen? I loved you, Gracie. When you left, you tore my heart out.” He shrugged, pained by the hurt in her eyes, but he was tired of harboring bad feelings and tired of the bull he’d put up with in Michigan. He was never going to live his life in the dark again.
“Then why did you tell me you wouldn’t ever leave this place?” Her voice escalated, and she crossed her arms.
“Because I didn’t plan on leaving. I didn’twantto leave.”
Her fingers pressed into her flesh. “Right. That’s why you left less than a month later. At least I was strong enough to be honest and end the relationship. You hid behind what youreallywanted to do.” Her hands flew out to her sides. “Why couldn’t you have just told me that you didn’t want to be with me anymore? Why did you play that stupid game and pretend like you wanted me to follow my dreams? To make it easier for you to do what you really wanted?”
She’d totally lost him. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play games with me, Reed.Youwanted to talk about this.”
