“Her name was Love Valentine, and she lived in Cupid’s Cove? That’s almost kismet.”
Saint chuckles. “Yeah, it is. My sister and I were always her priority, but Cupid’s Cove was a close second. She was always volunteering and fundraising. She invited people over for holiday dinners if she knew they would be alone. She touched a lot of lives, and the whole town felt the loss. We wanted to moveher to a facility in Salem for her last few months to make things easier on her, but she refused.”
“She sounds like an incredible woman. I hate saying ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ because it feels like it’s what everyone says, but I am.” I reach over and gently squeeze his forearm.
9
Talking about losing Mom is never easy, but the words just spill out of me.
I want to know everything about Mikey and share every piece of myself with her. A calm, serene feeling settles inside me when she places her hand comfortingly on my arm.
I didn’t think our game would get so deep five rounds in, but I sense a shift in Mikey the longer we play. She’s opening up to me, and our relationship is shifting even further from professional.
Hopefully, it will shift fully into romantic territory soon because I want more than anything to lace my fingers with hers. I want to kiss the back of her hand. I want to touch her in some way beyond comfort. I want the familiar, casual touches that come with being entirely comfortable with another person.
But I’m patient. I can wait until she’s ready.
I feel it in my marrow with every piece of information I learn about her that the thread tying us together is only getting stronger. Whatever fate has in store, this is a pivotal moment in our love story.
“Thank you, Mikey. She was the best. My mom is the reason Ruby loves to cook and I love to bake. She wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be a helpless man when it came to feeding myself, but neither of us predicted how much I would love it. She always dreamed of opening her own bakery, but she never had the funds. When we got my dad’s retirement after his passing, then my mom’s life insurance policy, Ruby convinced me to open the shop in her honor.”
“Well, she obviously did a great job teaching you. How long has it been open?”
“Five years in March.” Ruby and I have an anniversary party planned to celebrate and thank the town for keeping us in business.
“How has it been working with your sister?”
“Is that your official next question?” I tease, wanting to move past the heavy topics. I’d gladly talk about our trauma and grief all day, but I’d rather do it in a place I can hold and comfort her with more than a hand on her shoulder. I’m endlessly grateful she didn’t seem uncomfortable with my touch. I know I should have asked, but I was rolling with my instincts.
I can’t keep my eyes off of her, so I catch her subtle eye roll. “I guess so. This makes the count equal at five, right?”
“Sure does, sweetheart. Now, to answer your question, working with Ruby is easy. She has a marketing degree, and I have a business degree with a concentration in accounting, so it works out. Ruby handles the social media, advertising, and catering side, while I handle the finances, supplies, and operations. Obviously there’s a lot of overlap, but we’ve worked out the kinks we had in the beginning, and we run like a well-oiled machine now.”
“That’s good. It sounds kind of fun, working with a sibling. Not that I’d have any clue what it’s like. I like that you and Ruby are close and your business is a success.”
“It helps that Ruby, like my mom, is the town’s golden child. She can do no wrong in the eyes of the people, and they all adore her. Without her people skills and how much everyone loves her, I don’t think we’d be as well off as we are. Ruby has a way of drawing people in. She’s magnetic.”
“I didn’t think anyone could be as magnetic as you.”
A rush of affection rolls through me, and I can’t stop my satisfied smile. “Are you saying you’re drawn to me, Mikey?”
A blush rapidly spreads across her freckled cheeks. “Is that your official question?”
“Nah. Your blush is a good enough answer. My question is…” I tap my chin. I have so many questions, I don’t know where to start. A clap of thunder echoes around us, interrupting my thoughts, and rain splatters across the windshield.
“Oh, shit. I hope it doesn’t start coming down harder.” Mikey flicks on her wipers.
“We’re almost there. Hopefully it will be a quick burst, and you can make it back. There’s the turn,” I say, pointing to the small sign with an arrow pointing to Cupid’s Cove.
Mikey nods, turning when we reach the street. It’s only a fifteen minute drive to Main Street from here, but the thought of Mikey travelling back over the mountain if the rain gets worse makes me nauseous.
I won’t risk her safety. She’ll have to stay in Cupid’s Cove until the storm passes.
Maybe she’ll have to spend the night.
I can’t get my hopes up.
As the rain pours harder, Mikey’s knuckles turn white from holding the steering wheel so tight. Her teeth chew her bottom lip raw.
