Guilt instantly washed over me, drowning me. I contemplated turning around and telling Selena that I had to work late, that I couldn’t stop by like I’d promised, but I saw her waving at me from the window.
She and her mom walked outside hand in hand and stood next to me.
“What do you think?” Selena looked up at me. “The staff worked late all week to finish all the signs.”
What am I supposed to say to this?
Her mom answered in tears before I could say anything. “I think they look swell, sweetheart. I’m really going to miss this place. It was the only thing that kept me going on some days. I really wanted to pass it down to you…or maybe even my granddaughter one day…”
I’m going to hell…
“Don’t cry mom!” Selena was crying as well. “You don’t have to close! You still own it! I’ll just give you enough money to operate for as long as you want! I’ll call my bank tomorrow morning and—”
“I’m tired of fighting for now,” Selena’s mom hugged her and smiled weakly at me. “It doesn’t make sense to fund a business with no customers—it’d be a complete waste of your money…Besides, my own stubbornness is at fault for this. I should’ve changed with the times as soon as Starbucks came to town four years ago…”
My conscience jumped out of my body and practically kicked me to the ground.
I needed to say something, to finally admit it here and now.
“It’s okay mom,” Selena leaned against me. “There was nothing you could have done. It was Autumn Wonder’s fault. They were selfish and greedy and wanted all the bakery business to themselves. They’re complete ass**les.”
Tell her now. Tell her right now!
Her mother wiped her face on her sleeve. “I guess I’ll finally get my chance to cruise the world—after I spend some quality time with you in New York first…I’ll let you two kids get to your date though. Would you walk me back inside please?”
Selena hugged her mom and escorted her back inside the shop. I saw her wiping her face with Kleenex, gently rubbing her back, and saying the words “It’s going to be okay mom.”
I sat back on my motorcycle and covered my face with my hands. This was it. This was the end of the line.
I was sure she was going to hate me, that I could potentially lose her forever, but I had to tell her.
“I have a surprise for you Ethan,” I felt Selena wrapping her arms around my neck.
Don’t ask what it is. Just tell her the truth about Autumn Wonder. Right. Now.
“What is it?”
“I decided to stay here for two more weeks.”
“And why is that?”
She stood on her toes and kissed me. “I’m not ready to leave. I want to spend more time with you…I’m going to cancel the role for Sweet Tennessee. If they really want me that much, they’ll wait.”
“Selena, I—”
“Don’t tell me you’re leaving…” she frowned.
“No…No, I’m not leaving. I’ll be here for as long as you’re here, but I need to tell you that—”
“Great! Do you want to go to the movies with me tonight?”
“Not really, but I take it that you do?”
“Yes! There’s a new romantic comedy out!” her eyes twinkled.
“Then I don’t have much of a choice do I?” I bent down and kissed her.
“Nope, you really don’t.”
I am officially a coward…
My phone rang. Barry.
“Where have you been, man? I’ve been calling you for a week.”
“Sorry. I’ve been meaning to get back to you. I’ve been busy.”
“Busy doing what? Don’t answer that. I don’t even want to know. I was just calling to congratulate you on the Fortune cover. Kate ran across it in the supermarket yesterday. They did a pretty good article on you.”
“I thought you said it wasn’t going to come out until December?”
“December? November? What’s the big deal?”
“I’m undercover! Won’t that blow the whole operation?”
“Dude, you were on an undercover assignment—weeks ago. Now you’re just down there because you want to have fun. Relax. You know they always put magazines out early in Boston anyway. What are the chances of a set being shipped early to Fayetteville? You’re being paranoid. Call you later. Gotta go.”
It was inevitable. I had to tell her. Tonight.
Chapter 23
Selena
I wanted to show Ethan I could compromise. Since he always let me get my way, I wanted to show him that I could bend to him sometimes too.
I’d spent all week working on a box of small gifts, hoping he would like it when I gave it to him later tonight. I hoped that after he read my handwritten note he would tell me he felt the same way I felt.
I walked down the games aisle at CVS and picked up a set of Uno cards for his gift box. I picked up two bottles of apple cider from the endcap and headed for the register.
“Good to see you back in your element hun,” the clerk smiled. “Try to come back more often. Okay?”
“I will, Miss Kline.”
“I don’t care what those papers said. You’re still our sweetheart. Is this it for you today?”
“Yeah, I think that’s—” I spotted Ethan’s face on the cover of a Fortune magazine.