Page 35 of Only You
“Oh, hey, Annie.”
“Are you the only one home?” she asked, setting a container on the table.
“Yeah. Colin and Adalyn already left.”
“Then you’re my guinea pig.” She grinned, opening the container. “I made apricot muffins. Let me know what you think.” She handed me a muffin.
I took a bite and closed my eyes. “Oh my God, Annie. This is amazing.”
“That’s what Jerry said, too, but I don’t trust him. He says things to please me.” She winked. “Do you think they’ll be a hit at the bakery?”
“Definitely.” I nodded as I took another bite.
She pulled a chair out and sat down. “So, tell me how your date was last night with Mr. Hottie Harbor.”
“It was nice. We had a great time.”
“Is love in the air?”
“No.” I laughed. “Love is a fleeting moment that is never guaranteed. I prefer to let it fleet right on by.”
“You can’t let one bad apple ruin the bunch. Look at your sister. She came to her senses.”
“Adalyn and I are very different. Anyway, I’m sure Alex will be going back to Chicago soon.”
“I’ve always liked him. Such a shame what his mother did to him after his sister passed away.”
“What did she do?” I narrowed my eye.
“Well, she blamed him. She told him it was all his fault and she would never forgive him. After Athena passed, God rest her little soul, Caitlin Harbor became mentally unstable. She locked herself in her house and would never let anyone come over. She constantly made remarks to Alex about his sister’s death and even told him that she wished it was he who drowned and not Athena.”
“Oh my God. That’s awful.”
“I know. The whole town knows it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t take it anymore. So, he called his aunt in Chicago, told her everything, and she flew to Harbor Falls and took him back home with her. He hadn’t been back since. Talk about childhood trauma.” Her brows raised. “Anyway, his daughter is a sweetheart. I really hope he stays in Harbor Falls. Don’t you?” She cocked her head.
“It’s his life. No one can make him stay.”
“Maybe a certain someone can.” She winked as she stood up. “I have to get to the shop. Pretty soon, you’ll be saying the same thing.” She grinned.
I smiled and said goodbye to her. Later that afternoon, I was meeting Katherine at the shop to review the design she’d done and make any changes I saw fit. The only thing left was I had to call the contractor, but I’d wait until after I met with Katherine.
“I’m so excited!” Katherine grinned, walking into the shop.
“Me too.” I smiled, hugging her.
She placed the design on the table left inside the shop, and we reviewed it. Her plans were perfect and everything I wanted.
“Now that I have the plans, I can call the contractor and get an estimated time for when they’ll be able to start.”
“I’m sure it won’t be that long,” Katherine said. “So, I heard you went on a date last night with Alex.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“It was no big deal. We had dinner.”
“In Charleston, after flying in a helicopter he rented.” Her brow arched.
“News travels fast here.” I smiled.
“You already know that.” She pointed at me. “Anyway, he came into the Seaside earlier.”