Galaxies and Oceans by Walker N.R

Author:Walker, N.R. [Walker, N.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

I knew collecting my morning coffee and papers was going to be akin to interrogation routines I’d seen in movies. Penny was either going to hold my coffee hostage, or my dignity, until I gave her answers. It didn’t stop me from smiling as I walked in. In fact, I hadn’t stopped smiling since I woke up. I’d finally fallen asleep sometime around one and woke around six feeling happier than I’d been in far too long.

Penny spotted me as I walked in and her grin was wide and a little smug. “Well, good morning, Patrick. Nice evening last night? The southern lights weren’t the only thing on display…”

“Uh.” I looked around the thankfully empty store.

“There’s no one else here,” she said. “That’s why I’m yanking your chain. All jokes aside, Patrick, I’m happy for you.”

“Um, thanks. It’s still only new and nothing serious.”

“But it’s good,” she said gently. “And it’s about time.”

“Is it?” I asked, not meaning to sound so biting. “I mean, is there ever a perfect timeframe? A milestone we have to pass that says it’s okay to move on?”

Penny studied me for a second and sighed. “I reckon there is, yes. The distance is different for everyone, but I reckon when your heart starts to look for someone else, then that’s your milestone marker.”

“Mm, maybe,” I conceded. “I don’t know if my heart went looking… He just kind of turned up.”

She started to make my coffee but gave me a nudge with her eyes in a not-so-subtle pry for information. “All mysterious-like, too.”

“He’s not that mysterious, Penny. He’s a nice guy.”

“So, where’s he from?” she asked.

“The mainland,” I replied.

Penny rolled her eyes and smiled. “I gathered that much. But if you’re not telling, then I won’t ask. Just as long as you’re happy, Patrick. That’s all that matters.”

The truth was, I didn’t know the answer to where he came from. I didn’t know much about him at all, only snippets of details. Personal details, like about his grandfather and the ex who’d treated him horribly, how he left with nothing, and that his ex had ways of finding information. That was all I knew.

But I knew how he made me feel—young, alive, and happy—and that was enough. “Yes, I’m happy. But like I said, it’s new and nothing serious, so I’d appreciate it if the whole town didn’t know.” She made a face, so I added, “If they don’t already.”

“I might have mentioned something to Cassy this morning, but she already told me you got the crutch for him, so we’d assumed you were friendly…”

Well, between Cassy and Penny, there was little doubt. All of Hadley Cove knew by now.

“I haven’t seen Collin this morning,” she whispered, putting my coffee and paper on the counter. “But I suspect he already knows. He told me you had Aubrey in your car the other day.”

“He sprained his ankle,” I admitted. “Walking around isn’t much good for it, so I drove him.” I paid for my coffee and newspaper and waited for her to give me my change.

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