Page 38 of Easy Reunion
“Okay.” And I agree because there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
“Hold on to all you are and try to forget the negativity that’s been thrown at you. Most of the time, people have their own issues they’re taking out on someone they perceive is weaker than they are.” Shifting to the end of the bed, she looks at the mess I’ve made of my summer casual wear. “Now, if it were up to me, I’d wear your blue shorts with the berry camisole and espadrilles.”
I shift my hips to pull out most of what Angel suggested. “You think?”
“Bring a shirt in case you get too hot or you go inside,” she suggests. Remembering my blue and berry cotton striped button-down hanging in the closet, I realize it’s perfect. Casual yet cool. Making her way to the door, she turns. “Oh, Kels?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“One more thing?”
“Uh-huh.” I’m already starting to fold my clothes to put the explosion of my wardrobe away.
“You’re an adult now. You don’t have to stay anywhere. If you’re unhappy, then walk away. That’s allowed too.” With that sage advice, Angel leaves my room.
Tears burn my eyes when I realize I’ve never really done this. I’m thirty-three years old, and I’ve never really dated because of the locks I placed on the cages I guarded my heart with years ago.
My cousin Ava’s husband said eventually I’d find someone who’d be worth taking more than a superficial chance on. “Don’t feel like you need to conform to being anything, Kelsey. Take life, love, and relationships at your own pace. Just be you.”
“And what if that means being alone?”
Matt shrugged. “Look at how long it took me to find the other part of my soul. I’d say it’s worth the wait of not settling.” His all-knowing gaze met mine as I lifted a heavy white mug filled with coffee Ava had just topped off. “Don’t settle for anything. For far too long, you’ve had to give up on your dreams.” With those words, he shoved out of my booth and headed back into the kitchen at The Coffee Shop.
Shaking my head, I head toward the bathroom to get ready, wondering how I’m going to push the memories far enough away to live in today and enjoy the beautiful day outside with a man I’m intensely attracted to despite past concerns and present wariness.
* * *
“How are your grandparents?”Ry asks me in between popping grapes in his mouth.
“They’re wonderful,” I assure him. “Loving retirement in Florida.”
“Where’s home for them now?”
“A little town just north of St. Augustine. There’s a 55-and-over community they live in.” Thoughtfully, I reconsider my words before adding on, “It’s not a retirement community as much as it’s a perpetual cruise ship. The activities program printed is almost as thick as one of my books.”
Ry chuckles. “So, things like bridge, canasta?”
I rear back, horrified. “Hell no. Pop-pop would go insane. He’s already thrown out his back twice with the competition-level paddleball and bowling league. Nana swears if he pulls this crap with ping-pong, she’s going to sign him up for quilting.”
“And that’s a problem because…”
“Because he was a former tailor—it’s a form of torture for him to see some of the messes that happen. He comes back to their home ranting about how he could teach the class better,” I confide. “It’s Nana’s perfect revenge.”
By this point, Ry’s dropped the grapes to the blanket; he’s laughing so hard. “Has she done this often?”
“Twice that I know of. The first was after he didn’t listen to doctor’s orders and went back to paddleball too soon. The second was after…” I clamp my lips together.
“After?” Ry rolls to the side and raises his brow in question.
“Well…” I hesitate. “My cousin Ava and I gave them a present for their fiftieth anniversary. He threw a right fit over it, refusing to accept it, yelling and everything. Nana told him to get over it. Since he didn’t by the time we left, we each received beautiful quilts as thank-yous a few weeks later.”
“What was the gift?”
I shift uncomfortably. “It wasn’t that big of a deal. I mean, Ava helped.” I’m avoiding answering.
“Kelsey, did you get them a trip? A car?” At the negative shake of my head, he smirks. “A house?”
I studiously avoid his gaze as I reach for the bottle of water and take a drink.
