Page 96 of A Cup of Autumn
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Saturday evening, thesun slipped toward the horizon. Red and orange tendrils painted the sky, the colors fitting the night before Halloween.
Keaton would have enjoyed seeing kids in their costumes again take to the street on the thirty-first, but he had to catch a red-eye flight to Logan International Airport. Goodbyes couldn’t be pushed off any longer.
That meant seeing Raine. Leaving without saying goodbye would only hurt her more.
Though…did they have to say farewell?
At the bar last night, Garrett had kept talking about how he and Taryn had dated long distance. It hadn’t been easy, but that was better than not being together.
Would Raine be up for that?
That question made for a sleepless night. He didn’t want to cut things off completely. Instead of a final farewell, couldn’t they hit pause?
It was worth asking.
He made his way along First Avenue as if on autopilot. Muscle memory led the way to where he’d spent the most time next to Margot’s. That was only because he slept there.
Keaton held the handles of a gift bag—basic craft paper—which seemed more like Raine than something sparkly and fancy. He appreciated that about her.
He stopped at the sign for Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans outside the shop.
He pulled out his phone and took a photo of it. Man, when had he become so sappy?
His life wasn’t a Shakespearean tragedy. He would return to Silver Falls for Christmas. Less than two months from now.
Would Raine want to see him then? Not only as a customer…
Time to find out.
Keaton opened the door. The familiar jingle didn’t loosen the imaginary band around his chest. If anything, it tightened more. The bottoms of his shoes stuck to the sidewalk. He forced himself to step inside.
The scent of fresh brewed coffee hit him like a left hook. Just coffee. Except it wasn’t. He’d been in coffee shops all over the world, and something about this one was special.
A few customers sat at tables. Most stared at their phones. One read a book. He hoped that meant all would ignore him. But for all he knew, someone might be filming him. He wouldn’t be surprised if a secret web series called “As Silver Falls Fall” existed.
Raine measured tea or spices. She appeared to be making a tea blend, but she never talked much about that part of her business.
Keaton took slow, measured steps toward the counter as if wanting to prolong this visit.
Who was he kidding? He might be pursuing his dream, but he didn’t want to say goodbye.
Today.
Or ever.
Wait. Where had that come from?
His muscles tensed.
Knots formed on his knots. Even a gifted massage therapist would have issues loosening them.
Timmy caught Keaton’s eye and motioned toward the back where the office and supplies were and took off without saying a word to Raine. He dragged one of the new high school kids with him.
Raine hadn’t turned around, but Keaton got the feeling she knew he was there based on how she brushed her hands off.
Keaton didn’t blame her. “Hey.”
