Love Fast

On the shuttle bus back to the Colorado Club, I can’t stop looking at my phone. I’m desperate for one of my sisters to call or text me. I just want to know they’re okay, that Mom calmed down after I left. There’s still a glimmer of hope in me that she’ll learn from her mistakes, or be slightly kinder to them if she worries they’ll follow in my footsteps.

I step off the shuttle bus outside the Club and slam right into someone, dropping my bag and my phone at the same time. “I’m sorry,” I say, gathering up my things.

Whoever I bumped into crouches down and picks up my phone. As soon as I see his hand, I know who it is.

Byron.

We stand, and I tip my head back to look at him. I feel myself unfurl and relax under his gaze.

“Everything okay?” he asks, concern in his voice.

I don’t know how to answer that. Everything’s okay and nothing’s okay and now he’s here and he seems… different.

“I just got back from Oregon.”

He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “How was that?”

I sigh and realize how much I miss him. I miss porch swings and hot chocolate. I miss talking and kissing and feeling safe.

Byron never tried to control me. Despite being my boss, he had no agenda other than being with me. Maybe I’m confused. My emotions are running so high at the moment, Byron’s familiarity seems like a safe harbor. But is that all he is?

“It was a lot,” I say.

He takes my bag from me. “Did you see your mom?”

I nod. “Yeah.” I let out a breath. “And my sisters. I feel so guilty for leaving.”

“And Frank?” he asks.

“Him too. I mailed him back the ring, but I had to sign some papers to transfer the trailer back to him.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “How was that?”

“Frank’s a good man. It was fine. I hope he finds someone.”

“That person still isn’t you?” he asks.noveldrama

“That person was never me.”

Our gazes lock. I want to tell him how much I miss him, that he came to mean more to me in a few short weeks than Frank ever did.

“I heard about the party tomorrow night,” I say. I want to tell him I’m proud of him, but something stops me. “It’s a great idea.”

“If anyone shows,” he says. He nods in the direction of the staff housing block and we begin to walk.

“Of course they’ll show. This town loves you. They want to support you.”

Hope brightens his face. I want to press my palm to his cheek and tell him everything is going to be okay. I’ve never felt so certain that things are going to work out.

“Are you working tomorrow?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I reply. “I’ve been moved into Blossom and events.” We reach the door to my building and stop to face each other.

He nods. “Good. Are you happy?”

My heart clenches. Does he mean with my job? Or does he mean without him?

“Could we find some time to talk?” I ask without thinking. I just don’t want this to be the last conversation we have. I’m not quite sure what I want to say. But I know there are things that need to be said.

“Now?” he says, glancing around.

I shake my head. Seeing him has stirred something in me. I need to figure out what before we talk. “No. Maybe… after the party? We could meet in town.”

He nods, but he’s uncertain. “We can do that.”

“Breakfast on Tuesday?” I suggest. I don’t start work until midday. “Eight?”

He searches my eyes but remains quiet. Voices from behind us interrupt and he hands me my bag. “Eight at the diner.”

He goes to leave and I catch his arm, a familiar buzz passing between us. We lock eyes. The chemistry we had is still there. But now it’s something more.

“Thank you for the card,” I say. It was kind and thoughtful and asked nothing of me. It just said he was thinking of me. “It’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”

“Oh, Rosey,” he says, his tone full of sadness.

My stomach lilts at the way he says my name. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m so lucky, Byron.” Lucky to know him. Lucky he’s standing right in front of me.

People are coming toward us. We need to end this conversation. We both know it. But I don’t think I’m strong enough.

“Until Tuesday, Rosey Williams,” he says.

A smile curls around my lips at the way he says my full name.

His smile matches mine, and I have to look away. It’s too much. Whenever he’s near, I always want more.

He turns and heads back down the path we just came from. I open the door and I turn to watch him down the path. He’s just about to step out of sight when he turns back and sees me watching him. I can’t help but laugh at getting caught.

The smile I see spread across his face tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking.