Page 119 of Finding Forever

Dave rubbed a hand across his jaw. “And if she never changes her mind?”

Hank’s expression became serious again. “Then she doesn’t.”

The answer landed harder than Dave expected. “You’re terrible at this,” he told Hank.

“At what?”

“Making people feel better.”

“I wasn’t trying to make you feel better.”

Dave smiled, despite how he was feeling. “That much is obvious.”

Hank leaned forward. “You love her. That doesn’t guarantee you the ending you want. But if you go charging back in because you can’t stand waiting, the only thing you’ll prove is that you didn’t listen to her.”

Dave knew that. He’d known it before he came here. But knowing something didn’t make it any easier.

Hank stood and set his empty bottle on the workbench. “Come on. Help me finish this thing before Rosa gets home. If she discovers two contractors have spent most of the evening drinking beer beside a broken lawn mower, she won’t be impressed.”

Dave got out of his chair. “Then we’d better fix it.”

Together they fed the new belt around the pulleys, adjusted the tension, and argued briefly about whether Hank had bought the correct size. He had.

Dave tightened the final bolt and pushed himself upright. “Try it.”

Hank climbed onto the seat and turned the key. The engine coughed, spluttered, then settled into a steady rumble. He looked ridiculously pleased with himself. “There. Fixed.”

Hank switched off the engine and for the first time all evening, Dave realized several minutes had passed without him thinking about Beth. It wasn’t much of an achievement, but he’d take it.

Dave wiped his hands on a rag and reached for his jacket.

“Are you coming for dinner on Friday?” Hank asked.

Dave nodded. “I’ll be here.”

“Good.”

After saying goodbye to his friend, Dave headed across the driveway. Nothing about the last three days had changed how he felt about Beth. He still wanted her in his life.

But wanting something badly didn’t give him the right to force the timing. Beth had asked him for room to find her own answer. And, for now, he would give it to her.

Even if keeping his distance turned out to be far harder than closing it.

Chapter 51

A month later…

* * *

At the end of June, Kayla arrived at Beth’s house with an overnight bag, two pairs of new shoes, and enough nervous energy to power half of Sapphire Bay.

Beth discovered the shoes within five minutes of Kayla arriving. They were sitting in their boxes on the kitchen table while her daughter studied them as though her entire career depended on making the right choice.

“Which ones should I wear for work?” Kayla asked.

Beth looked from one black leather pair to the almost identical pair beside them. “I hate to tell you this, but they look exactly the same to me.”

“They’re not. These have better arch support, but the others have more cushioning.” Kayla pushed both boxes toward her. “I can’t decide.”