Page 2 of A Chance Fall

April forced a smile and stood up to greet Lily. "Nice to meet you, Lily."

Lily gave her a curt nod before turning back to Nigel. "I was hoping we could catch up. Maybe grab a drink?"

Nigel hesitated, glancing over at April. "Actually, I'm in the middle of something right now. Maybe another time?"

Lily looked disappointed but nodded. "Sure, I understand. Just let me know."

As she walked out the door, April couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than just old friends catching up. Nigel had never mentioned Lily before, and the way they had hugged and looked at each other was anything but platonic.

"Nigel, who was that?" April asked.

When he came back to the table, he didn't resume where they'd left off. He sat back in his chair across from her. "That was Lily. She's uh... my ex-girlfriend."

April wasn't so sure Lily was an ex, based on how they spoke. After all, this was only their third date. How long ago had he been dating that beautiful woman, begging for his attention.

"And she's back in town?"

He looked around the room, unable to meet her eyes or continue his dinner. "I guess so. I had no idea she was coming. Or that she would come here."

"It seems as though the two of you have a lot to talk about."

April tried to stop her eyes from watering, but there was nothing she could do. A tear fell down her cheek.

Nigel shook his head and finally looked her in the eye. "No, no. That's not what's happening here. I want to be with you. I just..."

"Just wasn't expecting the love of your life to walk back to your door. I get it."

April pushed her chair back, stood up, and wiped the tears from her eyes. She couldn't believe she was getting emotional over a man she'd only been dating for a few weeks.

"I think I should go," she said, grabbing her coat and purse. "I need some time to think."

Nigel stood up too, his eyes pleading with her not to leave. "April, please. Don't go. We can talk about this. Or we can forget about it and continue our date."

"I can't just forget about it. You have some things to sort out, Nigel. I don't want to be in the middle of it."

“April, please don’t go. This isn’t what you think it is. I’m just… thinking. Don’t let this get between us.” His eyes begged her to stay, but she knew she couldn’t.

She was so confused. The night didn’t go as she expected it to. She couldn’t decipher Nigel’s thoughts. And that scared her.

April grabbed her coat and headed for the door. She heard him call her name, but she didn't turn back.

Outside, the air was freezing cold. A chill ran down her spine as she walked to her car. She wanted to get as far away from Nigel's house as possible.

The thought of facing guests the next day made her stomach sick. It wasn't just that she was nervous about guests, but now she didn't want to face Nigel, who would no doubt be making an appearance.

As she drove home, she tried not to think about how tomorrow was going to be one of the hardest days of her life.

CHAPTER TWO

April woke to the sound of her alarm. As soon as she turned it off, she was replaying the events of last night in her head.

Nigel's ex-girlfriend was back in town and clearly wanted to see him again. And Nigel didn't seem too keen to let Lily know that they were on their third date.

Did Nigel really want to be with April? Or was she just a second choice to the woman who left town?

Her chest felt heavy as she sat up in bed, dreading the day ahead of her. The bed and breakfast still needed some last-minute touches. That was what she should be focusing on.

The first two guests were checking in today. It should have been a joyful yet nerve-racking morning. But all she felt was anxiety.

---