Page 18 of Fools in Love

“Patty’s apartment will be available soon,” she answered, remembering her brief discussion with the older woman earlier that day. “When I can climb the stairs without worry, I’ll move in. She’s holding it for me. She even told me that she has some furniture that she’d move in for me.”

“I lived there myself until I purchased my place,” he surprised her by saying.

“Where is your place?”

He leaned his head and pointed. “Just down there, the blue roof.”

She glanced over and saw the brown home with a blue roof that sat just off the docks.

“Nice,” she said, not sure if she had ever noticed the place before.

“It is now. You should have seen it when I moved in.” He chuckled. “Your brother’s place is a million times better than what mine was when I moved in. But hey, that’s why I got it for cheap.”

As their food was delivered, she realized that he’d steered the subject away from his family. While she dug into her favorite meal there, the chicken salad, and he into the steak he’d ordered, she asked again. “Are you an only child?”

“I am now,” he said, softly.

“I’m so sorry.” She immediately felt like a prying fool.

“It’s been ten years, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of calling or texting Ryan.” Tom set down his fork and took a sip of his beer.

“What happened?” she asked, wishing she’d just shut up. It was so obvious he didn’t want to talk about it, but she kept digging a deeper hole.

His eyes met hers. “He was killed, along with my mother.” He shifted to look behind her. “It appears your family has found you.” He pointed, and she glanced over to see her parents standing just inside the doors.

Kate waved as they made their way towards them. She’d texted them that she was taking a walk, but that had been a couple hours ago. They hadn’t texted or called her, and she figured they trusted that she would let them know if she needed help.

“How wonderful,” her mother said, cheerfully. “We were just coming to join the Stevens for dinner. I take it by your attire that the two of you hit the gym?”

Thankfully, her parents stood instead of taking the two vacant seats at their table.

“Yes,” Tom answered easily. “I ran into Kate and gave her a quick lesson in boxing.”

Her father smiled and looked down at her. “How’d you do?”

“Not so good, but Tom has agreed to teach me a little more tomorrow,” she answered.

“That’s good,” her mother said. “Just don’t… push yourself too much.”

Kate nodded. “I won’t.”

Her father touched her mother’s arm. “There’s Lacey and Aaron now.” He motioned to the windows, and Kate noticed the other couple.

Lacey Stevens had always been a role model to Kate. The woman was smart, funny, and powerful in the town, but she wielded her power with grace.

Neither she nor Aaron had changed in years. They were still one of Pride’s “it” couples. They were always smiling, and it was obvious just how much they still loved one another. Even after all these years.

“We’d better head inside,” her mother said, “Have a nice dinner. Do you have a house key?”

“Yes.” She waved as her parents disappeared back into the restaurant. “Does it bother you?” she asked, turning back to Tom.

“What?” he asked, sipping his beer.

“Knowing everyone? In the city, you could walk down the same street every day of the year and never have anyone stop and talk to you.”

“I’d bet that would be lonely. I felt that way in Vegas,” he admitted. “One of the reasons I moved here.”

She supposed that to anyone who didn’t have a little social anxiety, like she did currently, it would be a blessing to be surrounded by people you knew.