Page 33 of Sweet Southern Memories

“Seems like a big house for one guy,” I glance back to find her eyeing me with a smirk. Small towns and all that, I’m sure there is so much more she truly wants to add to her sentence but she waits.

“Space is always good.” She nods, still holding my stare.

“Yes, but it can also get lonely, quiet.” Leaning back against the counter, her grin deepens. “Of course two little girls laughing and running through these halls would make it all come alive.”

“That’s very precise.” I’ll give it to her, she isn’t messing around.

“Zoey deserves a happy ever after,” she adds, before locking eyes with me and squinting slightly. “She’s been through enough, those girls, sweet as pie. From what I hear, the two of you were pretty hot and heavy years ago.”

“Hot and heavy.” I laugh and her smile widens.

“Lots of sneaking out in the middle of the night, necking in the fields like all you kids do.” I chuckle feeling the heat rise in mycheeks. “She’s different now.” Verna’s words trigger a curiosity in me. “High stressed, she smiles, but the thing is the smiles rarely reach her eyes which is sad. She is far too young to have so much regret, and the worry about those girls. She has done an amazing job with Riley and Regan but the fear is she has somehow messed up their lives is always on her mind.”

I think of the way Zoey used to be, so carefree and vibrant. It’s true, I can see what Verna is referring to. “Is there wiggle room on the price?” I ask choosing to let the conversation about Zoey fade. “With a fresh coat of paint, new flooring and some other typical updates, I feel like this could be the place.”

“For a family?” I smile because I can’t seem to stop it. A family is exactly what I see when I think of this being my home.

When I don’t answer Verna she laughs and grabs her briefcase, lifting in to place onto the kitchen countertop. “The previous owner is eager to sell, so let’s make an offer and get you your home.”

“What do you think?” I watch as Dean, my brother’s best friend walks around the main living space of my newly purchased home. As of ten a.m. this morning I am a homeowner. It all feels so real now, as I slowly settle into my life in Magnolia Grove, Alabama. The only thing still missing is the woman, though I know where she is, she has yet to accept she is part of my long-term plans. She’s backpedaling, I get it, I may not like it, but I understand.

She’s holding me at bay and has got to be the most difficult person to ever get alone. With the exception of our night in hershop, I’ve hit a snag every time since. Our lives are mutually crazy. I’m the only doctor in town and she has two little ones that she is still holding onto so tight there’s little room for much else.

The fear is there, the hesitation is strong and I told her I’d wait for her, which I meant.

But waiting is a struggle because what I really want to do is dive in headfirst and start living a life with the three of them.

“It’s definitely doable,” Dean says reminding me I am not alone as I shake off the thoughts rolling around in my mind. “Are you thinking of refinishing these floors or getting all new?”

“Polishing the current wood flooring but replacing all the carpet in the bedrooms and the family room. I’m thinking new light fixtures in every room, update the faucets in the bathrooms. The kitchen needs some more extensive upgrades.”

He turns around and starts walking toward the kitchen.

“I’m not a huge fan of the cabinets, since someone has painted over the existing ones and you can see the places they were chipped up and worn.” It was one of the first things that caught my attention when I first entered the kitchen during the showing.

“We could strip them, sand them all down and refinish them.” Dean runs his hand over the corner cabinet, before knocking his knuckles against the wood. “There solid, made from the good stuff.” He nods, seemingly pleased. “We could definitely save these, bring them back to life, save you a whole lot of money.”

“I’m thinking a weathered gray color.”

“Definitely a good choice with the current color scheme throughout the rest of the house.” He seems confident.

“I saw an Arabescus white marble sample for the countertops I thought would be perfect with gray cabinets. A big farm sink,” I can almost picture it.

“You planning on spending a lot of time in the kitchen?” Dean’s question surprises me.

“I enjoy cooking,” he doesn’t seem convinced.

“Or is this all more for someone else than yourself?”

Everyone in this town seems to be very invested in my love life.

“How are things going with you and Zoey anyway?”

“It’s more like having another best friend, that I get to sneak a kiss in with every once in a while.” I chuckle when his brows lift. “I’m not complaining, honestly getting to spend any amount of time with her is great. But I do find myself wondering how long it will take her to believe I’m not running from this. She’s protective of the girls, and she should be, but she needs to know she doesn’t have to protect them from me. I’d never hurt those girls, or her.”

“But did you ever think that all those years ago you did hurt her?” I wrinkle my forehead in confusion. “Not purposely,” he adds, moving closer to the island that separates us and placing his hands on the dark green top. “She was two years behind you in school. I remember what she was like with you. All dreamy eyes, completely in awe of you. Zoey would have done anything for you; she fucking worshipped the ground you walked on. You leaving, though she played it off like it didn’t kill her, I can assure you it did. Something changed in her after that. She was quiet, spent most of her time floating through her days. She rarely went out with friends and when she did it was like she would have rather been anywhere but there.”

He would know, he remained here in Magnolia Grove.

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