Page 102 of Break My Heart
‘Yeah. She doesn’t have enough business to keep paying her bills.’
‘She should’ve known better than to come to a small town and start a business that competes against a local.’
‘She didn’t open G’s to compete against me. She did it because her grandfather gave her the building. It was his gift to her, all she has left of him.’ As I say that, I feel even worse that she might have to give it up. ‘I’m going to run over to the orchard and see if they need help getting ready for tomorrow. You need anything before I go?’
‘No, I’m good.’
Wade’s really stepped up in his manager role, giving me time to have a life again. I’m no longer stuck working all day and night. I’ve let him take over the orders and inventory and he’s helping me keep up our social media accounts.
* * *
‘Everything ready for tomorrow?’ I ask Nick. I found him in the barn, taping off the area where the competition will be. Long tables are set up in front where the judges will sit. Facing the tables are some rows of folding chairs for the contestants and anyone who wants to watch.
‘I think we’re good,’ Nick says, securing the tape to the wall. ‘Shouldn’t you be at the brewery?’
‘Wade’s handling it for me. He’s an awesome manager. I can leave and not have to worry about the place. I could actually have a life now.’
‘And a girlfriend.’ Nick walks over to the long tables. ‘Can you help me cover these?’
I meet him over there and we cover the tables in red tablecloths.
‘So are you and Gina talking yet?’
‘We’re talking, but not dating.’ I straighten the tablecloth so it’s even on all sides. ‘She might be moving.’
‘Wait—what?’ He looks at me. ‘Gina’s leaving Haydon Falls?’
‘It sounds like it. G’s still isn’t getting enough customers. Sounds like she might have to close.’
‘And you’re okay with this?’
‘Why wouldn’t I be? It’s her decision, not mine.’
‘You’re really going to let that happen? You’re going to let the girl you love just walk out of your life?’
‘I don’t love her,’ I insist.
‘Yeah, okay,’ he says walking over to a stack of baskets, the ones we use for apple picking. ‘You just keep telling yourself that.’
‘I don’t love her. We went on a few dates. Big deal.’
‘You went out with her for over a month,’ Nick says, setting one of the apple baskets on the judges’ table. ‘You practically lived at each other’s places.’
‘Yeah? And now it’s over. She’s moving away. She doesn’t want to be here.’
Nick was walking back to the baskets, but stops suddenly and turns to me. ‘Wait a minute. Is this about Kendall?’
‘Kendall? What the hell are you talking about?’
He comes over to me. ‘Kendall broke off your engagement because she didn’t want to live in Haydon Falls. You think Gina’s going to do the same thing.’
‘Gina’s not from here. I always knew she might leave. It has nothing to do with Kendall.’
‘Sawyer, think about it. You haven’t been this in love with a girl since Kendall.’
‘I’m not in love with Gina,’ I mutter.
‘Okay, then you haven’tlikeda girl this much since Kendall. You and Gina were getting serious and you were getting scared. You knew she might take off like Kendall did so you ended it.’
