Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

9. Karlee

I woke up this morning to a message from my mother that immediately ruined the good mood I was in.

Apparently, Patrick feels badly about how things ended and wants to apologize in person. So she gave him my address. My address. Who does that?

I’m fuming. I’ve been up for hours, and can’t manage to calm down enough to call and ask her what she was thinking.

As if my thoughts summoned her, my phone rings—her picture pops up on the screen. I swipe to answer. “Mother, what on earth were you thinking?” I start.

“Well, hello, dear,” she responds. “I’m guessing you got my message? I thought it would be nice if you two cleared the air once and for all so you can have closure.”

I groan. “Mother. The whole point of moving away was to get space. Why on earth would he even want to come all the way to Piney Brook now?”

Mom huffs. “He said he wanted to apologize in person. I thought that was very respectable. Besides, you never know. This could be a chance to rekindle your romance. You know, a real-life second chance.”

“Mom, that’s only for romance novels. Not for lying, cheating pigs.”

Mom scoffs. “That’s not true,” she insists. “How was I supposed to know you’d be upset? You spent so much time hoping to take your relationship to the next level. He seems genuine,” she says as if that is supposed to make this any better.

My temples throb. “I hope he doesn’t come to the hospital while I am at work.” I huff, realizing there’s absolutely nothing I can do at this point that will satisfy my mother. Other than allowing the pond scum to apologize—in person, apparently.

“Well...” Mom hesitates. “I told him you were off today, so he’s on his way.”

My eye twitches more furiously than a hornet that’s been sprayed with hairspray. “You did not!” I manage to force the words through clenched teeth.

“I didn’t think it was a good idea for him to drive all the way out there if you wouldn’t be able to talk.” She sighs. “Really, Karlee, try to be an adult about this.”

A sharp knock on the door interrupts my scathing retort. This had better be a newspaper salesman. “Mother, I have to go. We will discuss this more later.” I don’t even give her a chance to respond before I end the call.

Another rap on the door has my blood pressure climbing. This cannot be happening to me. I peek through the peephole. There he is. Mr. Cheaterpants. In the flesh.

I debate not answering, but a third knock lets me know he’s not walking away.

“Karlee, I know you’re in there. I saw your SUV in the parking lot.” Patrick’s nasally voice penetrates the door, making my headache worse.

Swinging open the door, I resist the urge to punch him in his smug face. I don’t look good in orange. I repeat the phrase over and over in my head.

“I could have been out with friends, or my boyfriend.” I cross my arms over my chest and stand, blocking the doorway. “Presumptuous to assume I’d be home today.”

“Oh, come on, Karlee. We both know you only have time in your life for work. Besides, you don’t have a boyfriend—your mom would have told me.” He rolls his eyes. “Can I come in?”

My mouth drops open. “Come in? To my house? I don’t think so. Say what you need to say and leave.”

“Don’t be like that. I came to apologize for how I ended things. I should have been more sensitive. Honestly, I’m surprised you cared.” He shrugs his shoulders, causing his button-up shirt to bunch awkwardly. He never wore the right size clothes.

“You didn’t think I’d care?” I ask, disbelief causing my voice to rise. “Unbelievable. I spent six years of my life with you. We had plans, Patrick.” I am not letting him turn this around on me.

“Listen, if I can’t come in, can we at least go to the coffee shop down the road?” He holds his hands out in surrender. “Please.”

I blow out a deep breath, trying to get ahold of myself. “Fine, but I’m meeting you there. You get fifteen minutes of my time. Then I’m leaving.”

“Thanks, Karlee. I appreciate it.”

“I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.” I shut the door in his face. I know I should be more mature about this, but I’m not prepared to have this conversation. At all. Maybe I should move again and not give my mom my address. I’ve never been great with conflict.

I shake my head and grab my keys and purse off the kitchen counter. May as well get this over with.

A few minutes later, I pull open the glass door to the Coffee Loft. The smell of roasting coffee beans hits me and soothes the ache that’s building at the base of my neck. Caffeine always helps, or at least it doesn’t hurt. Little round tables are situated near bright, open windows, making the space airy and inviting. In the back corner is a rounded sofa-style booth. Cozy.

I make my way to the counter and peruse the menu boards. A selection of seasonal coffees, and local favorites make the list, along with a few donuts and pastries.

“Can I help you?”

I glance down at the barista behind the counter. Her deep coffee brown eyes and pale skin are accented by her blue hair. I stare a second too long, before I get it together. “I’ll have an iced latte please, and a blueberry scone.”

Lacey, according to the name embroidered on her Coffee Loft apron, smiles. “Not used to seeing blue hair, huh?” She punches my order into the computer.

“No, I’m sorry. It looks great on you, though.” I grin sheepishly. I may be having a bad day, but it’s no excuse for bad manners.

Lacey laughs. “Thanks, I’m experimenting.” She winks at me and gives me my total.

Before I can swipe my card, I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I roll my eyes. Seriously, I couldn’t even get my coffee first?

“I’ll buy that,” Patrick says. “It’s the least I can do.”

I step back from the counter. He’s right, buying a coffee and a scone is the least he can do.

After grabbing my latte and scone, I make my way to an open table near a window. At least I can stare outside.

Patrick slides into the open seat across from me at the small table. “Thanks again for agreeing to meet with me.”

I raise an eyebrow in response. “What was so important that you drove all the way to Piney Brook to see me?”

Patrick’s eyes dart to his lap. “Cutting right to the chase, huh?”

I don’t answer. Instead, I break off a bit of my scone and pop it into my mouth. Heavenly. I’ll have to come back here with better company.

“I really am sorry, Karlee.” He reaches across the table to take my hand, but I jerk it back and place it in my lap.

“For what?” I ask, unwilling to give him an inch. He wanted this conversation—he can have it.

“You were working so much, and we barely saw each other. It felt like you were already gone from the relationship. When Celine and I started hanging out, I swear it was just as friends. We both missed you. Over time, it became something more.” He shrugs his shoulders, his shirt shifting oddly on his body.

I snort. “Hanging out doesn’t become something more when you’re in love with someone else.” Then it hits me—Patrick wasn’t in love with me anymore. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. “You weren’t, were you?” I take a breath and steel my nerves. “You weren’t in love with me anymore.”

His eyes drop to the table for a moment before finding mine. “I don’t know, Karlee.” He lets out a deep breath. “Were you really in love with me? Or were we just doing the next thing? Ticking off the boxes?”

I stare at him, prickles of unease making me squirm in my seat. Were we just ticking the boxes? Did I want the happy home—with the mom and dad and two point five kids—so bad that I pushed through even when I didn’t love him anymore?

“I...” My voice cracks. I take a sip of my latte and try again. “I really don’t know.” I answer honestly.

He nods. “I don’t think either of us stopped to consider what we wanted more—each other, or the dream. In the end, it was all you could talk about. Saving money, buying a house. It got to be too much. I felt like you wanted the house more than you wanted me.”

I rub my temples. This day is giving me whiplash. “So, you cheated on me?” I ask. “Rather than talk to me about how you were feeling, Patrick. You cheated on me with my best friend.”

“I know,” he says. “I made a mistake.”

I laugh. “A mistake? No, Patrick, a mistake is forgetting my birthday. You can’t call dating my friend behind my back a ‘mistake.’”

“It’s not like I meant for it to happen, Karlee. Don’t you think you could forgive me? Maybe we could try again?”

I’m shaking my head no before the words even leave my mouth. “Not a chance.”

He nods, finally understanding. “I’m still sorry for how things went. I should have broken things off with you officially before things ever moved in that direction. It wasn’t intentional. It was just... I didn’t feel like I mattered to you anymore.”

I sigh and take another bite of scone, the chewing giving me time to think. “Okay,” I say finally. “I’m not saying what you did was right, but I forgive you. That doesn’t mean I want to rekindle our relationship, though.”

Patrick’s shoulders sag. “I understand. Could we be friends?”

“No,” I say honestly. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“What about Keelee’s wedding? I could be your date, you know... so you don’t have to go alone. As friends.”

I sit back in the chair. I’m about to answer, when the door swings open and in walks Evan, looking downright stunning. His clean white t-shirt stretches across his muscular chest, and the jeans he’s wearing fit him like a glove. The hairs on my arms stand on end.

“I...”

“Karlee, there you are,” Evan says, looking from me to Patrick and back again.

Suddenly, I feel like a kid who’s been caught stealing a bubble gum ball from the candy store. “Um, yep. Here I am,” I say, standing to make the introductions. “Evan, this is Patrick. Patrick, my...”

“Boyfriend,” Evan says sharply. Patrick stands and extends his arm. Evan smiles, taking Patrick’s outstretched hand and shaking it a bit too firmly. “Evan.”

I squeak, and heat blooms in my face. I look around the nearly deserted coffee shop and realize we are now entertainment for Lacey and her co-worker.

I resist the urge to bury my face in my hands and rush from the building. Barely.

“Nice to meet you, Evan,” Patrick says, shock making his eyes wide. “Karlee didn’t mention you.” He looks at me as though I’ve hurt his feelings.

“I...” I say, trying to think on my feet.

“It’s new,” Evan says, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Isn’t that right, sunshine?”

At a loss for what else to do, I laugh. Though I’m sure it sounds forced by the way Evan looks at me.

“Well, Karlee. Thanks again for letting me apologize in person.” Patrick leans in to kiss me on the cheek, but Evan steps in the way. “Right,” Patrick says, stepping back. “I should get going.”

I smile and nod from my place behind Evan. “Okay.”

“See you around.” Patrick gives Evan a little salute and winks at me before turning on his heel and leaving the coffee shop.

I sink into my chair and drop my head between my knees. I feel like I might faint.

“Are you okay?” Evan asks gruffly. “Karlee?”

I mumble something in response, but even I’m not sure what I say.

Evan steps away for a moment and returns with a cool napkin that he drapes across the back of my neck.

“Here’s a glass of ice water for your girlfriend,” Lacey says, handing Evan a to-go cup of water. “Just so you know, she looked annoyed with that guy the whole time. Ashlan and I were sort of taking bets on whether or not she would throw her iced latte in his face.”

I snort and sit back up. “Like I’d waste perfectly good coffee.” Wait, she said “girlfriend.” My eyes dart to Evan to see if he noticed. “Um, she thinks we’re together,” I whisper when it appears he didn’t hear her.

He shrugs. “I’m sure she does. I did say I was your boyfriend.” Evan looks at me like I’ve grown another head. “Are you feeling okay?”

“What if they tell other people?” I ask, glancing at the girls as they whisper behind the counter.

“Then they tell other people. What’s the matter? Are you ashamed of me, Sunshine?” Evan winks at me.

“What?” I ask, confused. “I don’t even know what is happening anymore.” I wring my hands together frantically. I must have woken up in the twilight zone.