Caught Up In Him (4 page)

*****

I was the first one to leave the
classroom. I made a beeline for the ladies room where I busied
myself reapplying lip gloss and trying to fluff out my dark brown
hair to pass the time. I grabbed an always handy clip and twisted
my long hair into a quick updo. I tucked a few loose strands behind
my ears.

I looked at the time. Only a few
minutes had passed. I brushed off a piece of lint from the short
suede boots I’d snagged at a bargain price from a vintage shop in
the Village, then readjusted the neckline of the chocolate-colored
top I wore that brought out the brown in my eyes.

Another minute gone.

I rooted around in my purse for my
mascara, touched up my lashes, then checked the time once more.
Satisfied that Bryan had likely left the building, I ventured out.
I dialed the number of my parent’s shop as the heels of my boots
echoed across the wide hallway. I wanted to talk to my mom, but I
also needed to root myself to the realities of my life. My parents,
my plans for them, my goals for the business. My mom’s voice alone
had the power to ground me and keep me steady.

“Mystic Landing. How may I help
you?”

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, sweetie,” she said, and dived
into her usual million questions. “How are you? How’s school? How’s
Jill? How are My Favorite Mistakes?”

“I’m great. School is fine. I’ve
never had a better roommate. And I’m working hard on the business.
But, how are you? What’s going on with you and Dad and the
shop?”

I could picture her waving a hand in
the air to make it seem like my question was no big deal. Then
sharing a smile as a customer walked into the store. Then again,
maybe there weren’t that many customers.

“Everything is just fine. A young
woman even came in this morning and tried on one of your
necklaces.”

“Awesome. Did she buy
it?”

“No, but she said she’d come back
tomorrow.”

“So, are you still getting plenty of
late summer tourists?”

“Oh sure. Of course,” she said
quickly, but I wondered if she was just trying to seem strong for
me.

“What have you been up to
today?”

“I rearranged some of the window
displays.”

My heart sank. That could only mean
business was still slow. If there were customers, she wouldn’t be
spending her time prettying up the windows. She’d be at the cash
register, working the counter, ringing up little sundries and gifts
for all the tourists who streamed in.

The very same counter where I was
standing five years ago when Bryan asked me out on our first
date.

Blinders, Kat. Put your blinders
on.

We talked more about her day, then I
told my mom I loved her and said goodbye.

As I left the building, I nearly
dropped my phone when I saw Bryan waiting for me. The image I had
wanted most to see all those months after he left me.

*****

For the rest of
the full-length novel, check out CAUGHT UP IN US when it releases
in late January. You can follow me on
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