One Moment (The Little Hollow Series Book 1) (11 page)

Keeley sniggered then looked at me guiltily. “Sorry, Sam, but people don’t just kiss their so-called sisters, well, the majority of people don’t. He was definitely crushing on you.”

There was no way, besides it didn’t even matter now.

We sat in silence for a few minutes until the tears were steadily making tracks down my cheeks again, I didn’t know how I had any left to cry but they just kept coming. Keeley kept her distance, which I was thankful for, I wasn’t the type to be overly comforted.

Suddenly, she broke the silence. “Hey, you remember when I said Lewis was sitting with a guy at the BBQ place when I turned up?” I nodded. “Well his name was Connor.” She let that sink in then continued, “And when I went to the garage to apologize tonight, he was walking out as I walked in.”

So Lewis had known all this time that he had been coming back, that he was here and he didn’t tell me? My tears turned to anger and I wanted to march over to the garage to give him a piece of my mind.

“Sam, I can see the wheels turning in that head of yours, maybe he didn’t know? Maybe they just bumped into each other?” She was trying to make excuses for him.

I scoffed. “Look, I know you like him, Kee. You don’t have to look away, it’s obvious and it’s fine by me, I’m just angry at him right now. How could he not tell me?” Standing up to make a drink, she started to say something but changed her mind. “What was that?”

“Oh, erm, you don’t think he’s using me to get to you do you? I mean, I apologized for being a total bitch yesterday and he invited me in for a beer. It was nice you know? It felt easy with him and he didn’t ask me about my past which, for once, was a breath of fresh air.”

I walked into the open plan kitchen and sat at the breakfast counter. “Of course not. Like I said, Kee, he’s a nice guy and he has his priorities straight. I don’t think he even ever liked me really.” I winked at her. “So you’re good, you do need to spill though. Go on, take my mind off all of this!”

She passed me a glass of water and started to tell me what they’d talked about. I knew she liked him but she was still holding back.

The conversation changed to the fundraiser and what I’d managed to do so far. Yawning, I looked at the clock, I needed my bed. I started to gather my things together before saying goodnight and heading towards my room.

“Sam?” I swung my head around towards her. “You’re going to be fine you know that, right? Connor better hope that he doesn’t cross my path, just wait until he gets a piece of me.” She had a scowl on her face that only made me laugh.

“You’re one in a billion, Keeley Michaels.” Colour rushed to her cheeks and she said a quick goodnight before heading for the bathroom. But I hoped he wasn’t here to cross paths with either me or Keeley, a tight feeling in my chest told me that was wishful thinking, things were never that simple.

Startling awake, I sat bolt upright and turned on the lamp that sat on my bedside table. The image of Tommy as he lay in my arms was still stuck in my head and was heart-breaking.

He was just a little kid.

Swinging my legs over the bed and padding to the bathroom, I splashed my face with water and ran a hand over the back of my neck. This had to stop, she had to know it wasn’t my fault, right?

Walking back into the room, I turned on my cell to check the time, it was six in the morning so it wasn’t too early but I couldn’t sit around in this room. Deciding to go for a run, I slipped on my shorts, shirt and sneakers then grabbed my key to leave at the front desk and made my way out the door.

“Morning, Mac, you’re up early.” Mr Holroyd was sat with his feet up on the desk like usual.

“Morning, Mr Holroyd… Sorry, Lyle,” I said, shaking my head and correcting myself. “Yeah, I couldn’t get back to sleep so I’m going for a run before it gets too hot. Could you keep my key here please? I don’t want to risk losing it.”

He took the key from me and nodded his head. “Sure. Betty will be in the kitchen ready to make your breakfast when you get back too. Enjoy your run.” I waved at him before heading out the door and up the street.

It was hot already this early in the day, the air was so different to back home and I found myself getting out of breath much quicker. After what I thought was about two miles, I turned around and made my way back to the B&B.

On arrival, I was dripping with sweat and couldn’t wait to get into a freezing cold shower. Stepping into the building, I grabbed my key and made a beeline for my room.

Throughout my shower, all I could think about was Sammy. Those soft curves of hers and her full lips, damn
those lips
. I’d only ever gotten to taste them once. I always knew there was something there, on my end there was anyway. I wasn’t sure if she thought of me as more than a friend so I didn’t bring it up again and neither did she so I was sure I overstepped the mark.

Getting out, I wrapped a towel around my waist. I still had some time before I could head over to see Lewis so I went down for some breakfast to kill time.

Walking into the dining room, I greeted the two other guests and Betty came through to take my order.

“Good morning! What can I get for you? We’ve got pancakes, bacon, eggs, you name it!” she said enthusiastically. I asked for a glass of water, coffee and some pancakes before she wandered off back into the kitchen.

The dining room looked out onto the backyard and I really wanted to be out there. Standing up, I walked to the kitchen and knocked on the door but when there was no answer I opened it to Betty humming a tune whilst flipping my pancakes.

“Would you mind if I sat outside for breakfast?”

“Of course not! Now, out of my kitchen before I burn your breakfast.” She shooed me with her hand.

I chuckled. “Thanks, Mrs Holroyd.”

All I heard was her shout
‘it’s Betty’
through the door as I closed it behind me. I shut my eyes at the tranquillity of this place, I really did love it here. It was quiet, apart from the few people driving past in cars as they made their way to work.

My cell rang at that moment and I paused at the name
mom.
I stared at it as my thumb hovered over the answer button then shook my head before pressing decline. I felt bad but I didn’t need to speak to her right now, I’d shoot her a quick text after breakfast to let her know I was okay though. I didn’t want her to worry.

Taking out my step dad’s presence, my childhood was a good one. My mom was a good mom, our circumstances just made it so we didn’t get to go out and do things a regular family did. She wanted to work and go out and meet people but he’d never let her out the house.

Squeezing my hands into fists, I realized that she had everything she wanted now and I relaxed. She had a job in a little boutique clothes shop, a great house and a loving husband who treated her like a man should treat his wife. He knew how much she loved to travel so he whisked her away any chance that he got.

I was cautious about him when we first met but I soon warmed up to him once I saw how much he cared for my mom and now we really got along, which made my mom so happy. Pete was a good guy and I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserved my mom’s trust more than him.

I only wished I could treat someone like that someday. Thinking about that someone got me onto thinking about what I was going to say to Lewis and Keeley, I hoped they would both play ball, otherwise my plan went up in flames.

I had a restless sleep having woken up sporadically throughout the night. Around five, I decided to just get up and get myself ready for the long day ahead. As much as I tried, the lingering thoughts of Connor still stuck in my mind.

By eight, I was sitting at our breakfast counter stirring a black coffee, the same one I’d been nursing half hour before. I’d already got myself ready and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom so I had nothing else to do.

I sat here, mesmerized by the spoon swirling around, already not looking forward to the day ahead; it was not going to be one of my best. Just as I was about to pour myself a fresh cup, Keeley came shuffling out of her room, hair dishevelled and her pyjama top twisted. “Morning.” I got a grunt in return and watched her get out a cup of her own and hold it out to me.

“Why are you so awake?” She looked at me through droopy eyes. “I like your hair today,” she said and I smiled at her compliment. Getting up early had its perks.

“Well, some of us didn’t get much sleep last night so I decided to get up and actually do something with my hair, not that I should’ve bothered, the heat will have at it anyways. I also got started on making a list of what needs to be done today in regards to the fundraiser. The apartment isn’t a shit hole anymore either so I’m labelling this a productive morning.”

Taking a sip of her coffee, she started making her way to the bathroom. “You’re too chirpy, I think you should hold back on that cup of coffee for now.” I laughed at her and poured another batch into my cup keeping it black just the way I liked it.

She came out the bathroom a little while later, showered and looking more human than ten minutes previous. “I was thinking about what you said, about Lewis knowing Connor was back and not telling you? It doesn’t sit right with me so I need to talk to him, just giving you a heads up before I do.”

Always looking out for me. “Thanks, Kee, but you really don’t have to do that,” I told her but the look on her face told me she did.

“Yes, I do, even if it’s for my own peace of mind, I need to know.” She was set on her idea so I didn’t reply while she went and got herself dressed. “I fancy lunch at the diner today, you’re coming right?” she said when she came back out, I froze.

“Erm, I was thinking of just eating lunch here today actually. There’s too many phone calls to make for everything to be ready in time for this weekend.” I tried to sound as casual as I could.

She swung around towards me and gave me one of her fierce looks. “Samantha Reynolds, if you think I’m going to let you hide away in this apartment, you’re sorely mistaken! What that guy did to you was beyond awful but I’m sorry, there’s no way I’m being cooped up in here with you and as my only friend in this hick town, you have an obligation to accompany me, okay?” She smirked when she got a laugh out of me.

“If you tried to make more friends, I wouldn’t be your only one.” She gave me a sarcastic look. “What? Just saying.”

“Oh yeah, because little miss popular is beating away the prospective friends lining up the street.” I rolled my eyes and ignored her comment, even though she was right.

“How about we compromise? You go pick up takeout from the diner while I ring around and pull in some favours, then when you get back, we can take a walk since it’s going to be nice out.” You could see the cogs turning in her head as she thought about what I had proposed, finally she waved me off and turned to get her purse.

“Sounds fair but I still think you need to get out and face things head on. I’ve never been one to skirt around issues but that’s just me.”

Sighing, I slipped on my sandals and picked up my purse to take downstairs with me. I couldn’t stop yawning as I turned on the lights and the radio as I opened up. It was looking to be a beautiful day just as the forecast suggested and I decided that I needed to put everything to the back of my mind for a few hours and just enjoy the small talk with clients that came in.

Clipping on my hairdressing belt and going into the back room to turn on the coffee machine we had back here, I heard the bell chime signalling someone had come in. I took a deep breath, put a smile on my face and went out to greet the first client of the day.