Page 94 of A Cup of Autumn
Margot rolled her eyes. “The Boo Bash is over. She has Timmy, Robin, and that new guy.”
“You’re right.” The realization was bittersweet. “The new guy is named Parker. He’s working full-time. There’s also Amanda and Jon, high school students who work on weekends, afternoons, and evenings.”
Margot’s eyes no longer twinkled. “When do you leave?”
“Saturday.”
Her mouth gaped. “That’s tomorrow. Why aren’t you with Raine tonight?”
“She had plans, and I’d made some with my brother and Brandt. I’ll see her before I leave.”
Margot shook her head. “You’re family now, so I won’t mince my words. Dreams are important. We’re supposed to pursue them. But dreams can change. It happens all the time as you saw with Brandt and Garrett. I’d hate for you to walk away from something special in Silver Falls to discover Boston isn’t what you thought it would be.”
He raised his chin. “Won’t happen.”
Margot raised a brow. “You’re that certain.”
“If I wasn’t, I would stay.”
“Nothing left to say then. I hope it works out the way you want.”
Him, too.
Keaton hoped Raine wasn’t only saying what she thought he wanted to hear. Her being so understanding made leaving…not easier, but…
He dragged his hand through his hair.
…filled him with regret.
He cared about her. Another place and time, they could have something special. Of that, he was one hundred percent certain.
*
Friday night, Rainesat on the floor in Anna’s living room. Milo, Anna’s little dog, lay against Raine’s side. She rubbed the white ball of fur. “Can you miss someone who isn’t gone yet?”
Open containers of Chinese food sat on the coffee table next to five plates and wineglasses.
Anna nodded. “I got lonely when Davis worked while we were dating, and he only lived in Summit Ridge. But when I had the chance to get back together with him, I realized we wanted different things. I’d much rather be on my own, or even alone, than settle for something I don’t want.”
“Garrett wanted different things, too, but I was willing to give long distance a try.” Taryn raised her wineglass. “Thankfully, we didn’t have to do it long. Being apart was so hard.”
Callie nodded. “You both were miserable.”
“And now you’re not.” Pippa passed out fortune cookies.
Callie opened hers and read. “Prepare for expansion. Oh, this must mean the overnight kennel will happen. Maybe sooner than we’ve planned.”
Taryn snickered. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but I got the same one.”
Pippa held up hers. “Me, too. Or is that three.”
“That makes four of us.” Anna took a sip of wine. “Want to see if you got the same one.”
“No.” Raine’s fortune wouldn’t change her future anytime soon. “Open mine, Anna.”
“I will.” Anna’s eyes widened. “Yours is different. It says to expect the unexpected.”
“Already happened.” Raine sighed.
