Page 18 of Perfect Blend

She’s asking me questions about pain and comfort, but it’s white noise in my mind.

Let me take care of you.Her words repeat over and over on a loop.

Cassie couldn’t stick around. Once I made it through the rough part of the accident, she claimed it was too much. She couldn’t take care of me, she needed to take care of herself.

Sally, with a halo of golden hair is kneeling in front of me, wrapping my ankle. She’s determined to help, to not let me even drive home.

Let me take care of you.

Maybe it’s time to consider asking Sally how serious she wants us to be.

She kisses my forehead, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Okay, you’re bandaged up. Let’s you get you home so you can rest.” She helps me stand and puts one arm around my waist to help me walk the rest of the way down the trail. “Maybe if you’re lucky I’ll give you a sponge bath,” she playfully wiggles her eyebrows at me.

I laugh at her method of trying to make me smile.

We chat about the cake event on the way down the trail. Though the whole time I’m thinking about what a future with Sally would actually look like. From the beginning it’s seemed like she has one foot in Kastle Harbor and one on the gas pedal to run away.

Sally seems to care about me more than just a casual relationship, but I’m not quite sure. We haven’t talked about exclusiveness or anything past planning our next date. We’ve just been seeing what happens.

Am I starting to love Sally? Or is this just a casual relationship with a lot of heat?

Every aspect of my life revolves around staying in Kastle Harbor. Besides, I’d never leave Marie, we’re all the other has for family.

Family.

My heart lurches, I’ve always saw myself having my own kids. The Brunes bloodline is down to a set of twins. One widowed and one scarred. I’ve had to give up a lot of dreams in my life, clinging on to the residual hope that one day I’d find someone to start a family full of love and happiness.

I have some thinking to do.

SEVEN

SALLY

Victor wasa little on the quiet side the other day after his fall. He was the typical macho guy, all gruff and huffy about me helping. But then he just let me help him with his ankle. He didn’t grumble about me driving his truck or helping him get inside.

I got to see his little old-fashioned cabin. Complete with an updated kitchen, full of beautiful natural light. I helped him inside and he showed me he was able to move about freely and could handle being alone. I was only partially joking about a sponge bath.

Ever since our night together I haven’t been able to shake Victor out of my head. We’ve texted back and forth the past few days, but nothing quite as flirty as before.

Men are so hard to read sometimes. One second they’re all hot and heavy and then just as quick they’re cold and indifferent.

I’ve been thinking about how we could move forward, albeit slowly.

I’m still unsure of my future here in Kastle Harbor. I love my job and I have a decent group of girlfriends now, but something just hasn’t clicked right yet.

I don’t know if it ever will while I’m here.

I’m thrilled that Victor is still up for going with me to the cake tasting tonight. Bethany said it’s nothing flashy but then Marie said everyone should dress up in fancy clothes like a gala event. Naturally the dress code and outfits were discussed at length this past wine night.

I still haven’t revamped my wardrobe, but I did discover a few garments hiding in a box labeled living room instead of wardrobe. Under some books there were a few dresses and blouses. I unearthed a classic, little black dress. The prefect thing for an event like this.

Short sleeved with a heart shaped neckline, it was a snug fit but provided me with a hint of curves. I’ve always leaned more towards lanky and athletic over vivacious and curvy, but this dress helps create that sexy silhouette. I smooth the satin skirt, making sure everything is in its place.

The doorbell rings as I’m changing lipstick colors for the third time. GuessMademoiselleis the color for the night. I toss the lipstick in my clutch and grab a shawl from the front coat rack. Spring here in Kastle Harbor is still just as chilly as New York. At least there’s something constant.

“Thanks for picking me up, Victor,” I say as I soak in his appearance. His normally unruly black hair is pushed back and he’s chosen a pair of grey slacks and emerald button-down shirt. His lumberjack appearance is much more dapper tonight.

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