Compass (Second Chances 1)

“Don’t let me keep you.” I glance down at my watch. “When you see Katie, tell her I’ll be back.”

“I’ll do that,” she says cheerfully.

I take my leave and step out onto the sidewalk outside the boutique. I have no idea if Katie is avoiding me, but sooner or later I’m going to come face-to-face with her. If I have my way it will be this afternoon.

Chapter 7

Kate

“One down and thousands left to go, Kate or should I say Katie?” Natalie asks as she walks into my office.

“Kate.” I sigh.

“One down and thousands of what left to go?”

“Days.” She taps her watch. “You successfully avoided your old flame for today. What’s the approach we’re taking tomorrow? Are you going to be busy washing your hair? Or did your dog eat all the invoices?”

“I don’t own a dog,” I point out with a smile. “I thought dogs were partial to homework. That’s what I remember from middle school.”

“They’ll eat anything as long as it keeps their owners occupied.” She narrows her eyes. “You can borrow my dog.”

“I’m good.” I close the appointment calendar on my computer. “I don’t think he’ll be back tomorrow.”

“He’ll be back.”

I rub a hand over my forehead. “Did he tell you that?”

“He didn’t have to.” She shakes her head. “He’s anxious to talk to you. I have no idea what went down between you two, but I know from experience sometimes it’s best to put the past to rest by having one last conversation with an ex.”

I’ve never talked to Natalie about Gage. Our relationship borders on friendship, but we’re not close.

“Sometimes, it’s best to avoid the ex,” I counter. “He’ll give up eventually.”

Just like he did five years ago.

I don’t say those words even though they’re playing on the tip of my tongue.

“You can’t hide back here forever, Kate.”

She’s right.

When I finally came in at noon, I ducked into my office to take care of a few calls. Natalie followed on my heel to tell me that Gage was waiting at the door when the boutique opened. He promised her he’d be back after lunch.

By the time he arrived just before two o’clock, I was knee deep in a delivery problem and told Natalie to show him the door.

He left forty-five minutes later.

I pulled up the security camera on my computer and watched him stroll out of the boutique.

The video was grainy, but I could tell that he showed up here in a pair of jeans and a white V-neck sweater. He was dressed the same way on the day we met eight years ago.

I was only nineteen-years-old.

He was twenty-one.

Time has been kind to his body. The cut of his expensive suit showcased that.

The last time I saw him he wasn’t as muscular as he is now. His hips and waist weren’t as trim.