Page 26 of Perfect Blend

“I wonder where she is,” I murmur and look around again. She hasn’t texted me. I see Bethany behind the counter and excuse myself from my sister. She waves me off.

I ask Bethany if she’s heard from Sally today.

“No, but she did walk in early and abruptly leave. I assume she forgot something at work. Her and Jake are both highly invested in their work you know.” Her words hit me.

Shit. Sally must have heard something Marie and I discussed. And it was definitely the bit where I joked about continuing the bloodline.

But where would she run to? Home maybe? I thank Bethany and return to the table. I tell Marie and she suggests trying her work. Duh. I leave the bakery and head to Sally’s office.

I won’t lose her.

* * *

Sally

I can’t wait to talk to Victor, to tell him I want to give this a shot. I look around my living room, there’s only a couple more boxes left to unpack.

It’s progress. I smile.

With a happiness in my heart that I haven’t felt in a while, I head to the bakery.

As much as I joke about Kastle Harbor being slow and too small town like, I have to admit I love being able to walk everywhere. It’s nice to see some familiar faces on my way to the bakery. I feel as if I’m starting to find my place in this small coastal town.

I enter the bakery and scan the crowd. Lots of people and few tables left. I spot Marie, the back to me must be Victor. They really are twins. The same raven black hair and body posture. So comical, I’ll have to ask Victor if their whole family looks alike.

“I mean, do I want kids to share my bloodline? Yes,” I hear Victor say a little bluntly.

My chest feels tight, a surge of heaviness inside me as my throat suddenly becomes dry.

This isn’t happening. Not again.

I turn and leave the bakery. I can’t talk to Victor.

Cold tears start to fall as I rush down the sidewalk. I don’t think I can make it home and I head to the office. The quietness of the space envelops me. I don’t even turn the lights on, just head to the backroom. My body starts to shake as the sobs escape me.

I was ready to compromise, to take the leap.

And yet it feels like I fell crashing into a pile of rocks.

TEN

VICTOR

I makemy way to Sally’s office. The door is unlocked but the lights are off. No one else appears to be working today. I thought there was some meeting or something that most people were attending but she didn’t have to go along. I can hear a muffled sound from the back. It must be Sally.

I open the door to find her on a couch, throw pillow clutched to her chest, crying. And it pains me to know that I’m the cause of her tears.

“I’m so sorry Sally.” I enter the room and she barely looks at me. I try to find tissues or something.

“I just want to alone Victor.” She sniffles and sets the pillow aside. “Please just leave,” she says, her voice strained.

I don’t want to give her space. I want to explain. And I hope she’ll let me.

I sit on the chair across from her, at least giving her a tiny bit of space by not sitting on the couch. I run my hand through my hair, unsure of where to start. I don’t want to ramble but I know I need to start talking or else Sally may just leave.

“I don’t know if I ever explained why I wanted kids in the first place,” I start. I look at Sally, her eyes red. She doesn’t respond, but she doesn’t leave so I continue. “Marie and I lost our parents when we were young and moved in with our grandparents. It was difficult to grow up seeing how different our family was from all of our friends.”

I just hear a soft, “Oh,” in response as Sally wipes her eyes on her sleeves.