Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,37

could they not?

Holly stared into the night and felt the painful cut of regret. If only she and Zane had kept in touch. But, as easy as it was to fall in love as a teenager, it was just as easy to drift apart. “We weren’t really in love then, were we?” she whispered into the dark. “How could we have been?”

She stretched out her legs and settled back to get some sleep. Unfortunately, sleep wouldn’t come.

Holly stared at the ceiling. She didn’t understood love back then, maybe she didn’t have a handle on what it was now. She’d watched Crystal, a recent partner at Beauty and More re-connect with John Turner and marry after not seeing or hearing from each other for years. But they had been in love. Circumstances kept them apart and caused a big misunderstanding. Once that was resolved, Crystal let her heart love John at will.

Holly smiled at the thought. But would she ever be able to do the same? She’d hardly dated since she and Zane were a thing. Probably because a part of her always thought he’d come back, they’d pick up where they left off, and the rest would be history. But Zane never returned.

It wasn’t long before a part of her just “wasn’t” anymore. As if he’d died, or something, which was nonsense of course. What did pass away was their relationship. Had she been mourning ever since? No, how could that be? Eight years?

Holly tossed and turned and come morning, needed an extra cup of coffee on the way to work. She went to Blue Birds, the coffee shop in old town. The drive through at Java Wagon would have been quicker, but she loved the atmosphere at Blue Birds better.

“Hi Holly!” Mel, one of the barista’s called when she entered. “Your usual?”

“Yeah, better give me a double shot of espresso.”

Mel marked her order on a cup and handed it to the second barista. Holly didn’t recognize him, but he looked like he was in high school. Mel attended the local college with her friend Heather from Dunnigans. “So how are things going? Heather told me you were in Dunnigan’s a couple of days ago with Zane Brody.”

“Yeah, we had dinner at Zelda’s.”

Mel grinned and leaned over the counter. “Heather said he’s pretty darn cute.”

Holly smiled. “Yeah, he is.”

“So, you two were high school sweethearts, I hear.”

Holly fought the urge to roll her eyes. “True.”

Mel bit her lower lip. It didn’t stop her from grinning like a loon. “And?”

“What?”

Mel shrugged. “I don’t know. I just think its … romantic?”

Holly laughed, heard the hint of bitterness in it, and shut up. Wow, this was bothering her more than she thought.

“What’s the matter?” Mel asked with concern.

“Nothing. I’m just …” she didn’t finish and instead pulled some money from her wallet. “Here.”

Mel said nothing more, took the money and gave her her change. “Have a nice day.”

Holly forced a smile and moved to the order pick up area. She’d done too much thinking last night. Janet’s comment didn’t help, and now this. So what if she and Zane had a thing years ago? It didn’t mean there was anything there now. And what was his mother doing telling her he had his eye on her? Why would he be interested now? Other than the obvious and she was not mother material, at least not in her book.

She grabbed her coffee and left. When she reached Beauty and More, she spied Zane’s car outside and groaned. Holly took a deep breath. “You’re letting this whole thing get to you. Stop it.” She took a sip of her drink, got out of the car, and headed for the shop.

“He’s leaving. He’s got a child now. You’re not some live-in babysitter. Why else would he have any interest, if he has any at all?” She reached the door, took a deep breath, and went inside.

Zane stood at the main counter talking to Katie. “Morning,” he greeted. Sophie was in her new stroller. “Well, what do you think?”

Despite her inner argument, she smiled. “It’s perfect for her.”

He bent to adjust Sophie’s bib. “I think so.”

“She’s so adorable!” Katie gushed. “Can I hold her?”

“Sure.” Zane began to unstrap Sophie.

“So, you came by to show her off?” Holly asked.

“And to see if you’d like to have lunch with me.”

Holly’s heart thumped loudly. “Oh, well, I don’t know.”

“She’d love to have lunch with you,” Katie volunteered as he handed her Sophie. “Oh my, look at you!” She made faces