He peeks out at the yard as though he hasn’t seen the sign yet. “That’s what the thing on the stake indicates. This house is finished. Time to move on to the next one. That’s always been the plan. You knew that.”
“I…I thought plans changed.” When he told me I was stuck with him, I knew he meant we were going to be together, but I thought after our discussion about his grandparents, he reconsidered.
“No. They never did.” He joins me on the porch. “Reese, this is my job. I buy a house, or in this case, inherit one, fix it up, and sell it. That never changed.”
“I thought because of us…” I don’t know how to finish that sentence. WhatdidI think? He’d change his entire life around because of one conversation? “I don’t want you to leave.”
“What do you think is going to happen? I’m not moving across the country or anything. I’m scouting a place maybe an hour from here. That’s not far.”
“No, it’s not. I just like having you next door. Don’t you like being here?”
“Of course I do. This isn’t the house for me, though.”
“But your grandfather gave it to you. Don’t you want to put roots down?”
He pauses for a moment and thinks about it. What is there to contemplate? Even though I can see it from the look in his eyes, it doesn’t make it easier when he says it. “No. I don’t.”
“Don’t you think your grandfather would have wanted you to stay here? Do you really think he intended for you to sell it?”
He presses his pointer finger to his forehead and slides it back and forth. “I really don’t want to get into this. Let’s just say that I like the excitement and change. I don’t want to commit to anything for too long.”
The words hit me like a grenade, the pieces of my heart scattered around me. My eyes drop from his and I stare at the concrete below my feet. A bumblebee buzzes as it hovers near the plants by the door. “Oh. I see.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Jimmy reaches his hand toward me. I pull away.
“Whatdidyou mean then because it sure sounds like you don’t want to stay in one place too long. Which means you probably don’t want to stay with onewomantoo long either. Is that why you spent the evening withLisainstead of me during the gallery event?”
“What? Lisa is an old friend. In fact, her brother has sold a few of my houses. You wereworking, Reese. Did you expect me to lurk behind you like a puppy dog as you spoke with potential customers?”
“No. You two just seemed so chummy and I guess I envisioned things going a specific way. Her being there put a dent in the whole night.”
Jimmy gives a lopsided grin. “You can’t blame her or me for your insecurities.”
“I’m not—“
“Yes, you are. Reese, I know you’re used to things always going your way. Life doesn’t always work out like that. Not everyone is on the same track as you.”
“No, they’re not. But just because someone isn’t on the same track doesn’t mean they can’t ever be. You’ve been living this single life moving from town to town, always starting brand new. What about when you meet someone and fall in love? What about when you want to get married and have kids? Are you planning on moving them from town to town too?”
“Wait a minute. Slow down. Are you saying you want to get married?”
“No.” I don’t want him thinking that. He’s already practically out of town and telling him I love him will make him go faster. “I mean, someday. When I meet the right person. Don’t you want that?”
I hate that he’s not saying anything. There’s nothingIcan say after that. The ball is in his court now and he decides where we go from here.
“Reese.”
Kale starts scratching at the door and barking over what Jimmy is about to say. He opens the screen door to tell Kale to stop and he rushes out the door, right past me, and runs off through the yard.
“Kale! Get back here!” Jimmy yells, his voice shaking with concern.
Kale sprints across the lawn until he’s across the street. Thankfully we’re the only two houses on the block. Without a second thought, Jimmy and I run after him until we can’t see him anymore.
“Great. Now look at what’s happened.” Jimmy bends over and places his hands on his knees as he catches his breath.
“Are you saying this is my fault?”
“No. We don’t have time for this. I have to find him.”
