* * *
The next three days passed in a busy routine, but not once did Kayla see Gabe. She kept hoping he’d at least pop into her store to say hello. Maybe even steal another kiss. But nothing. He wanted to take baby steps, but they were standing still.
Her mom had said she’d seen him talking to his builders, and he’d stopped by to thank her for dinner. How insane was it for Kayla to feel jealous of her mom because she had spoken with him? She hated how much she missed him. And she couldn’t stop looking for him. When she was in the coffeeshop, she looked for him. When she was in the local bakery, she looked for him. She stared at his office door all day long to catch a glimpse of him leaving. She saw Alice coming and going, but not him. Was he okay? Her mom had invited him to come again to dinner whenever he wanted, and he told her he’d definitely take her up on that. So that gave Kayla a bit of hope at least.
She was going crazy. She hadn’t seen the man in two years, and she had survived. Now, three days had passed without her catching sight of him, and she was losing it. Things had gotten so bad, she’d started counting the days until it was time to pay her rent. How insane was that? Originally, Gabe had wanted her to mail the rent check, but since he’d moved his office across the street, that wouldn’t make sense. Even if he still wanted her to put the check in the mail, she wouldn’t do it. If that was the only way she’d get to see him, then she would use it. Luckily for her and her sanity, the rent was due today.
Lauren hadn’t pestered Kayla about him again or mentioned the fact she thought he had the hots for Kayla. Her sister was too consumed with seeing Jordan over the weekend. And Sarah was busy thinking of different ways to improve the store. First, she’d created the snowflake corner, where she also placed the castle. Kids loved playing there. Her next goal was to add a superhero section. She had been setting up a small table with superhero figures on it. For the first time in her life, she seemed to have found a purpose and a passion.
Kayla hoped her sister’s enthusiasm for working in the store lasted. Sarah’s other issue—her habit of flirting with every man who crossed her path—still worried Kayla. Two boys who’d just graduated from college had come into the store looking for Sarah, but she’d been out to lunch. Kayla had shooed them off, and she hadn’t been too nice about it, either. She’d have to help Sarah with that, but not today. Today, she was paying her rent and, hopefully, seeing Gabe.
Kayla held the check in her trembling hands. The last time her hands shook this badly, she’d been signing the contract to take over the store from Melody.
She inhaled and closed her eyes. It was six o’clock. Her plan was to close the store and walk across the street to hand Gabe the check. Sarah and Lauren had left a half hour ago. Kayla had pretty much kicked them out so she could deal with this on her own.
Heck, Gabe might not even be over there, so all this stress and drama could be for nothing. But the light was on in his office, and she had seen Alice walk out a little while earlier. Handing the check to him could also be a really bad idea. The encounter could go either way. Clearly, he hadn’t come to see her for a reason.
Kayla glanced in the mirror one more time. She had dressed this morning with him in mind. Opting for a casual look, she’d chosen her skinny jeans and a black, ribbed tank top with a small white peace sign in the corner. The peace sign seemed appropriate.
Kayla groaned. It was now or never. And the idea of never seeing him again was no longer an option. She had to give him the rent check anyway.
Taking one more deep breath, she grabbed her purse, raised her chin slightly, and left her store, making sure to lock the door behind her. Looking across the street, she saw the light still on. She could do this. Handing her rent check to Gabe shouldn’t be such a big deal, but if he took it and didn’t say anything, she would leave feeling hurt. She was a little bit more sensitive than usual as she’d suffered through way too many disappointments in the last two years. This would add to them, and she didn’t want that.
When she got to his office door and knocked, no one answered. Then she saw the little sign to the side of the door: Please ring the bell. So she did.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door opened. Standing there in a green t-shirt to match his gorgeous eyes, and wearing a pair of black jeans that hugged him just right, was the man she had almost married.
“Hey.” Gabe raised both his eyebrows.
Then she caught him checking her out.
“Hi, I have the rent for you,” she said, holding out the check and speaking a little louder than normal, so he could hear her over the noise from the passing cars.
He took it from her. “Thanks.” He folded the check and stuck it in the pocket of his jeans. “I didn’t charge for the paint job.” Gabe smiled warmly, revealing his perfectly white teeth.
She smiled back. “I appreciate that.” Her heart was thudding like crazy. He was being nice, but he hadn’t invited her inside.
“You should thank my grandfather.” Gabe turned his gaze toward heaven. “He told me to look out for Magical Toys. He wanted me to take good care of you.”
“I’m grateful, but he probably meant Melody. They were friends.”
Gabe shook his head. “No, he said there was a short, dark-haired woman who always made him laugh, and a beautiful blonde who looked and acted like an angel.”
Kayla looked at the street, regaining her composure, then back at him. “I really liked your grandfather. He was always so kind.”
“He was. It’s funny how he never gave me your name before I came here.”
“If you’d known it was me, would it have changed anything?” She tilted her head slightly.
“I told you that first day, I wouldn’t have come. Now, I’m glad I did.”
Hope burst through Kayla’s chest. “You mean it?”
Gabe nodded. “It’s been interesting, seeing you in your element, especially at dinner the other night. And I’m not talking about what happened right afterward.”
Kayla’s cheeks heated as she turned toward a car behind her. It stopped short and then continued. It was rush hour and Main Street’s busiest time. She wished Gabe would ask her to come in already, so she could hear him better.
“Did you learn anything?” she asked.
Gabe’s eyes changed. They became more intense, as if they were zooming in on her soul. “I did.”
“What did you learn?”
Gabe chuckled. “That you belong here. With your family.”
Kayla swallowed hard. “I once belonged with you.”
“You did, but your family needs you.”
“You needed me, too.”
“I didn’t need you, but I wanted you badly. I wanted you around me. I wanted you as a lover. And I wanted you as my best friend.”
“I was your best friend.” Another car drove by fast. She had to step forward, so she could hear him better.
“People don’t leave their best friend the way you did.”
So he still hadn’t forgiven her. Neither the dinner nor the kiss had changed anything.
“But after watching you with your family, I pitied you,” he added.
“Why?” She wouldn’t be able to stand it if he felt sorry for her. That was the last thing she wanted.
“I could see how you’re torn. They need you too much. I saw how they rely on you. You’re their comfort and safety. But you had to give up all your dreams in order to take on that role.”
“It’s not a role,” she shot back. “They were really screwed up when Nana passed. I was screwed up, too, because I had to figure out how to deal with all them. I never expected them to go off the deep end. But they all pretty much have their act together now.”
Gabe shook his head. “You’re the most loving, loyal, generous, and caring person I know. I’ve never met anyone like you. But that other side to you, the side I witnessed every day for two years, is buried deep. At dinner, I saw glimpses of the real you, and it drove me crazy. That’s the woman I cho
se to kiss. At the same time, every time the real you came out, you’d stuff it down. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so frustrated in my entire life.”
Kayla huffed. “You’re right. I have changed. Having the weight of your family on you can do that. I’ve also seen a side to life I never thought I’d experience when you and I were together. I was pretty sheltered from all the bad stuff. But I’m not a sheltered girl anymore. I’m a woman who has seen the darker aspects to life. So if you’re frustrated with me, then that sucks for you. But you had said after that kiss that we could take things in baby steps. I’d still like you to know the woman I am today, and maybe, just maybe, we could put the past behind us and move forward.”
Even though Kayla was spilling her guts to him, her heart felt split in two. Part of her wanted to throttle him, and the other wanted to beg him to let her inside, so she wouldn’t have to juggle the noise from the cars, and they could sit down and talk. Like two adults. Her adult side won. “May I come in?” she asked.
Gabe’s jaw clenched. “No. I’m locking up in a few minutes and then leaving.”
Kayla sighed. “All right, I’m going to go then.”
She turned to leave, but Gabe’s voice stopped her.
“I’m thinking of putting my grandfather’s house in East Hampton on the market soon. How long does it take for houses to sell around here?”
“That depends. How long will it take for your house next to mine to be finished?”
“Nine months.”
A couple strolled by, walking hand in hand. Kayla stared after them.
“I’d put your grandfather’s house on the market in about six months. From what Lauren used to say when she worked at the real estate firm, houses in the Hamptons usually sold pretty fast.”
“Okay, I’ll tell my real estate agent.”
Kayla swallowed. “My family really liked you. They’re happy you’ll be our neighbor.”
Gabe chuckled. “I really liked them. All of them. But that was the hardest meal I’ve ever sat through.”
Her heart sank. “Then why did you come?”
“Your mom invited me, and it was the right thing to do. The neighborly thing to do. But looking around at your family, knowing they were also supposed to be my family, was really hard for me.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, meaning it. “I would have loved nothing more than to introduce you as my boyfriend or fiancé or even husband.” Gabe’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t respond. “Well, it was good seeing you. I hope to see you again soon.”
Gabe nodded. She took a step back, and he was already closing the door. She never should have handed him the rent check. She should have called Alice and asked her to come over and get it.
Without looking back toward his office, Kayla began walking home. Even though she was walking away from Gabe yet again, she was heading toward her family who needed her.
By the time she arrived at the house, she was so exhausted she could barely stand up. The walk home had been good for her, though. The fresh air and exercise had given her a chance to clear her head, but it hadn’t lifted her spirits. Somehow, she had to think of a way to get through this, especially with him living as her neighbor. Sooner or later, he’d start dating, if he wasn’t already. Alice sure was pretty. Kayla had always prided herself on coming up with solutions to help others, but she couldn’t think of a way to help herself.
She opened the door, hoping no one was in the kitchen to ask her about her day. Instead, she walked into a normal evening, where her mom was throwing dishes at her dad and screaming her head off. But unlike other nights, tonight, she couldn’t take it.
“Enough, both of you!” Kayla never raised her voice, so when she did, everyone listened. “What’s the fight about now?”
“Your father has to go back to the factory for the third night in a row.”
Kayla looked at her dad. “Dad, are you going to the factory because you have furniture that needs to be finished soon or are you trying to avoid Mom?”
Her dad ran his hands through his hair. “I have a huge shipment going out in three days. I still have to finish the bed and the custom-designed night tables that have been challenging to make. They’re good, loyal customers. I don’t want to let them down.”
Kayla sighed. “Okay, Dad, go.”
Her dad immediately stood from the kitchen table and left out of the back door.
“You see, Mom? This isn’t about you or an indication he doesn’t love you. But I can tell you one thing—he’s not going to love you if you continue treating him this way. I’ve had enough, and the whole family has had enough of you screaming at Dad. This needs to stop.”
Kayla didn’t wait for her mom’s response. She was already climbing the stairs. She knew what was going to happen. Her mom was going to sit at the kitchen table and cry her eyes out. This time, she was going to let her mother cry all by herself. She was tired of her mother acting this way. If her dad didn’t love his wife, he would have been gone by now.
Before she even made it to the top step, there was a knock on the back door. And only friends of the family knocked on the back door. Kayla sighed and looked back downstairs. Her mom got up from the kitchen table, sobbing like Kayla had predicted. As the person at the door knocked again, her mom ran down the hallway, leaving Kayla to go to the door. Her sisters were usually at the gym at this time of night or she would have let them answer it, and who knew where Josh was. Even if Josh was home, he was too lazy to answer the door.
Whoever was there was being persistent. How important could this be? They kept knocking. When Kayla reached the bottom of the stairs, she walked to the back door and paused when she realized it was Gabe. Of all people, she didn’t think it would be him. What was he doing here? He saw her through the glass door and nodded. After their confrontation, she couldn’t imagine why he’d be here, unless he wanted to torture her some more. He probably came here to point out more mistakes she had made. Or maybe he wasn’t here for her at all. Still, she felt her heart speed up and a nervousness she couldn’t seem to get rid of whenever she saw him.
Kayla opened the door and debated asking him to come in since he had made her stand outside earlier. But she refused to be rude like he was.
“Is everything okay? I assumed you were on your way to your grandfather’s.”
Gabe handed her an empty plastic container. “I wanted to talk to my builder and return this. Tell your mom thank you. I ate every single one of her delicious brownies.”
Kayla had forgotten that her mom had given Gabe brownies to take home with him after the dinner. “I will. I’d let you tell her yourself, but she’s busy right now,” she said, placing the empty container on the counter behind her.
“I know. I could hear her yelling from my property.”
Kayla cringed inside. She would have to tell her mom she was embarrassing herself in front of the neighbors. “Sorry about that.” She wondered how long he had been listening to her mom yell at her dad like that. She had left Gabe at his office, but she’d walked home, so he must have beaten her home by driving.
“No problem. I see she’s no longer yelling, so you must have solved another one of your family’s problems.”
Kayla grinded her teeth. “I didn’t solve her problem, Gabe. I only stopped her from yelling.” She was in no mood for him to be an asshole. She was about to close the door, but he got that cute twinkle in his eyes and leaned against the door, so she couldn’t close it on him.
“That’s all you can do,” he said and smirked.
Kayla stared into his eyes. He was the most confusing man she’d ever met.
“Don’t you judge me. I’m doing the best I can,” she said, her tone sharp.
He crinkled his forehead. “I’m not judging you.”
“Nana would have done a better job with my mom. Part of the reason my mom is like this is because when she lost her mom, when Nana died, Mom lost a huge part of her life. You used to hear her yelling in the background of our phon
e conversations. Nana was Mom’s world. Even more than my dad and her children.” She was tired of having to defend her family.
“I’m not judging you, Kayla.”
Her entire body grew tense. “Nana would have known what to do, Gabe. She always did. When my mom fought with my dad, Nana knew the right thing to say.”
Gabe placed his hand on her shoulder. Kayla froze.
“I’m not judging.”
Kayla looked at his hand. She couldn’t handle him looking into her eyes in that knowing way while touching her at the same time. She wanted more than his hand. She wanted more than his kiss. She wanted his heart.
“Kayla, look at me.” With his other hand, Gabe raised her chin slightly, forcing her to look into his mesmerizing green eyes. “After school, my parents got a divorce. And even though I’m older, it was hard for me and hard for the whole family. If I hadn’t been in graduate school, maybe things would have been different. Maybe they could have worked through their problems.”
Kayla’s heart fell as she instinctively placed her hand over his and squeezed. “What happened with them? I remember them being close, from what you said.” She had never met them, but she had heard Gabe talking to them on many occasions.
Gabe shrugged but he didn’t pull his hand away. “They grew apart. Fell out of love. That’s what they told me.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and she truly was. Gabe loved his parents very much.
He nodded and finally removed his hand, forcing hers to fall by her side.
“I appreciate that, but what I’m trying to say is that I wish I could have been there to help them.”
“Gabe, even if you were, there’s not much you could have done. You could have guided them, offered advice, but at the end of the day, it was their decision whether they want to stay in their marriage.”
Gabe raised his eyebrow. “I could say the same for you.”
So this had been a lesson all along. Gabe was trying to help her. Maybe this was his way of calling a truce. Maybe it was a better way than having him come to dinner with her family.
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