Page 129 of Come Back to Me

We find a parking spot right in front of the store out of the hundreds that are taken because weekends are usually packed here at The Promenade. The store sign is one that can’t be missed because of its flirty, cursive font and different shades of pink.

When the snowbirds and visitors start coming down for the holiday season, it’s always our busiest time at the store. Many of them are stopping in to buy a gift for their mothers, daughters, nieces, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, friends, and everybody else in between. It’s also the best time of year because we get to share so many of our favorite romance books with customers who stop in the store.

I love how Sweet & Salty plays such an integral role in the community, and I’m so proud I get to be a part of the magic.

Grayson cuts off the engine, and we both get out. He locks the truck and runs to open the door to the store for me.

When I walk inside, I’m met with the sound of people chattering, pages opening from books, and music playing from our speakers at a low volume.

Willow spots me and heads over to us. “What are you doing here? Isn’t it your day off?”

“Yeah, but I couldn’t resist.” I grin. “Hey, how was the party last night?”

“Good thing you guys left when you did because it got a lot louder. I left not too long after you guys took off.” She looks at Grayson. “Most of your teammates got drunk off their asses. I’m surprised they didn’t get the cops called on them because of the noise.”

“Of course they did. Why am I not surprised?” He shakes his head, letting out a breath.

“Is Laura here?” I ask Willow.

“She is. Let me go find her.” She slithers her way in between all the people surveying our stock.

Grayson looks around, his eyes landing on mine. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in here. About a year after everything happened, I walked by the store and saw you taking care of a customer. I was so close to going in, but I couldn’t bring myself to because I was still hurting. I know you were, too. I didn’t want to make things worse.”

“There were a few times I stopped by the gym you guys were practicing in back during our senior year of high school, but I felt the same way you did. I didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire.”

“How come you had the courage to pop the bubble six years later?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I guess I felt like enough time had passed that it was okay to break the no contact.”

“If you didn’t break the no contact, I know I would’ve at some point. I don’t think there’s a universe where we could stay away from each other forever.”

Laura interrupts our deep chat. “Hey, what are you doing here on your day off?”

“I guess I can’t stay away.”

Laura sees Grayson standing next to me. “Hey there, stranger. Last time I saw you was during spring break.”

“Yeah, I know. We just got back from visiting my mom.”

“Ah, I see. Did she tell you she’s moving out on Wednesday?”

“Yeah, she did.”

“I’m guessing she told you she’s moving in with me for a bit, huh?”

“Mm-hm. How did you two come up with that idea?”

“Dana told me she wasn’t finding that many apartments available for rent these past few months. She’s enjoyed living by herself, but she wants to see whatit could be like having a roommate. She told me she’s been feeling lonely, and your mom could really use some friends like Celia and I. We want to be there for her.”

“Well, I’m glad she has you two. Also, she didn’t tell me anything about her feeling lonely.”

“She doesn’t want you to worry about her.”

“I worry about her all the time, regardless of her experiencing something good or bad.”

“I’m sure she worries about you all the time, too.”

“Why?”