Page 6 of A Simple Love

That started my side gig. I had expanded the kitchen and had it licensed just for pie-making. It was at the back of the house, with industrial ovens, a long marble counter for making the pastry, and lots of cupboards for supplies. The back wall was all windows I could open and let the fresh air in and the heat out. The smell of cooling pies filled the area at least twice a week—often more. I made sure to take my neighbors some of the smaller pies I made with scraps, so they didn’t mind. A massive freezer held ready-to-bake pies and extra pie crusts, so I was always ready to bake more if needed.

The contract came through on my email, and I scanned it quickly, knowing if Laura had looked it over, it would be correct. I tucked it into the filing cabinet, feeling blessed. My home-based accounting services were going well. Baking pies made me happy and kept me in the loop of the town. Quinn and I had become fast friends. I had Laura too, plus a few other people I had met. I loved the house, the quiet street, and now I had a boarder for a couple of months. I didn’t want the hassle of a full-time tenant, but the occasional occupant I didn’t mind. So far, I had been lucky, and all the guests had been easy and enjoyed the space.

I had no reason to think this longer-term stay would be any different.

A few days later, I blinked at the man in front of me. I had heard the car arrive and thought I would go welcome my new temporary tenant. Laura had told me that the woman had let her know she was renting the space for a male client and promised he wouldn’t cause any problems.

But I hadn’t expected it to be him.

Oliver Hart stood in front of me, no longer the boy I once knew.

I once loved.

He was taller. Broader. More handsome in real life than on the screen, if that were possible. His dark hair was cut close to his head, the wave in it still visible. He sported thick scruff that only defined his strong jawline instead of hiding it. His bright-blue eyes were the same, beautiful and haunting.

And as shocked as mine no doubt were.

Still, his voice was calm, his greeting casual.

“Hello, Kassie.”

As though we had only seen each other yesterday—not twelve years ago.

As if the past hadn’t happened.

As if he hadn’t ripped my heart from my chest, walked away, and forgotten about me, after promising never to do so.

He had the nerve to look at me and act normal.

“You,” I hissed. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He stepped closer, his voice low. “I’m your tenant.”

“The hell you are.”

“My agent rented the place for me.”

“If I had known it was you, I would have refused.”

He nodded as though he were agreeing with me. “Well, I’m here, and the lease is paid. I’ll stay out of your way.”

“Find another rental.”

He shook his head. “I can’t. I know how small this town is, and the crew is taking most of the available spaces. I’m certain the hotels are booked.”

“Go to Toronto,” I replied, my voice tight.

“I need to stay here.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. The muscles in his arm flexed, and I noticed how big his hands were. They had always been long, but now they were the hands of a man, not a boy. Thick and strong, the veins standing out on the backs like small road maps under his skin. “Look, I didn’t know it was your place. I thought you’d left Richton.”

“I came back.”

“I never would have accepted if I had known it was you.”

I glared, and he held up his hand. “I didn’t mean because it’s you, but because I wouldn’t have wanted to make you uncomfortable.”

“Well, I am.”

“You’ll barely see me.”