Page 69 of Meet Me on Love Street
Relationshipsaremessy and complicated. They are more than just meet-cutes and swoony moments. And Miles was right. Itdoeshurt so much when things go wrong.
Are relationships worth it?
“We should talk like this more often,” I say.
Mom nods. “Yeah, we should. Sometimes I forget that you’re all grown-up. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you before accepting that offer.”
I’m not sure I fully forgive her, but I understand. “We’re still a team, right?”
She nods. I notice that Mom’s eyes are a little glassy too. “Two peas in a pod.”
“Do you want me to come look at that property with you tonight?” I ask. Maybe it would help me understand this decision better.
She shakes her head. “No, I’ll manage.” She gets up. “But I should be going. The meeting is in a few hours. I need to finish some centerpieces first.”
“Okay. Good luck tonight. Love you, Mom.”
She nods, then leans down to kiss me on the forehead. “Love you too, sunshine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEMORE MIND-BLOWING REVELATIONS
I sit alone in Jenn’s back room for a while after Mom leaves. That was a lot to take in. I don’t think my mother haseverbeen so open with me, and I’m not used to it. I wish she’d talked to me before agreeing to sell, but I do understand why she did it.
That doesn’t mean the whole situation doesn’t suck monkey balls.
I hate the thought of living somewhere other than on Love Street. I want to be able to look out my window and see Cosmic across the street, or LoveBug on the corner. I want to say hello to Reggie as I walk past the bookstore or grab a cookie from Mrs. Kotch’s when I need the sugar hit. I hate that Love Street will turn into a construction zone, which will suck for the places that will still be here.
My whole life was turned upside down when my parents divorced too. And the hardest part about both huge changes is that I have zero control over any of it.
I can’t stay here in the back room of Cosmic forever. I check the time—my shift is over anyway. When I go out to the selling floor, Jenn looks at me, her head tilted. “How are you doing, kiddo?”
I shrug. “I’m not happy about it, but I get it.”
“I’ll still be here,” Jenn says. “You know you’ll alwayshave a job here if you want it. And not just because you’re practically family—you’re my best employee.”
I shake my head. “That will depend on where I’ll be living, won’t it?” If I’ll be commuting two hours to school every day, I won’t be able to work here at Cosmic.
The door to the store opens. It’s Miles.
Because of course it is. Tonight’s ourbig date. We were finally going to be alone.
But now… looking at him, in his preppy blue button-up shirt with dress pants, I wonder again if his meeting today was with those developers. Why didn’t he tell me?
A better question is why did I ever think someone like him was right for me? He called me naive when we met. And I guess I proved him right. A naive, idealistic child who thought she could preserve her idyllic little street just by planning a festival.
His expression tells me he has no idea that I know about his secret new job. His eyes are bright, and a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“You ready to go? We can walk over to the Asian grocery to get frozen dumplings.”
I shake my head. I don’t want to speak because I know my voice will betray how hurt I am.
His brows knit together with concern. “What’s wrong, Sana? Everything okay?”
I exhale. “No, it’s not okay.” I look at Jenn. I don’t want to fight with my boyfriend in her store. “I’ll see you later, Jenn. Thanks for… you know.”
I walk out the door, and Miles follows me. He clearly has no idea what’s bothering me. Which pisses me off more. How long did he think he could keep this from me?
I walk fast. I have no idea where I’m going, or if I’m running away from him, but I feel like I have to keep moving. When I get to my favorite bench at LOL Park, I sit heavily and put my head in my hands. He’s next to me with his hand on my back in seconds.
