She dropped her head into her hands and groaned. Who was she kidding? Drew Murphy was handsome, single, outgoing, friendly, and funny. There was no way he’d ever want to get involved with Kacey, his buddy from school. If they hadn’t had a spark back then, why would they have one now?
But they had both grown and matured. Things might be different. What if Drew’s feelings for her changed? What would she do about it when her life and her career were back in Charlotte?
Chapter3
Drew set two bowls of wet, stinky, tuna-flavored cat food on the kitchen floor in front of his two yowling cats. “It smells horrendous, guys. Bon appétit.”
He leaned against the counter and shook his head as Thor, his large orange tabby, and Loki, his gray-and-white feline, scarfed up the food as if they hadn’t eaten in a week. Then he crossed to the kitchen table and sifted through the pile of mail he’d carried in from the box at the street, finding a couple of bills, a catalog, and a few advertisements.
After opening his refrigerator and studying the contents for a few moments, Drew pulled out a container of leftover chili he had cooked over the weekend, and he sighed.
“Chili again,” he mumbled before pulling out a piece of wax paper, covering the container, and slipping it into the microwave. He pushed a few buttons on the microwave and it hummed to life.
Drew retrieved a bowl, spoon, and a bag of shredded cheese while contemplating his day. It had started out ordinary, with a typical day at school before rushing to the community center for the first choir practice. And the first practice was also typical, with a mix of serious students and a few chatty students, but then his day took an unexpected turn when Kacey Williams popped in out of nowhere.
Kacey Williams.
Never in a million years had he expected to see Kacey again. He smiled as he envisioned her. She was still one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known with her hair the color of sunshine, deep-blue eyes that reminded him of the ocean, high cheekbones, pink lips, a long neck, and that smile and laugh that seemed to always go straight to his heart.
That familiar longing and regret that had followed him around since his senior year in high school welled up inside of him. Drew felt himself falling for Kacey when they were in middle school, but fear of losing her friendship had kept him from asking her to be his girlfriend.
Then in high school they grew even closer, and he was certain he loved her. As senior year approached, he’d planned to ask her to prom and declare his feelings for her. Then his nerves caused him to wait too long, and his so-called best friend, Bennett Clark, beat him to it and asked her first. To make matters worse, Bennett not only asked her to prom but also asked her out, and she accepted. Her relationship with Bennett not only shattered Drew’s heart, but it also came between them, leaving their friendship awkward and strained, which was a clear sign she’d chosen Bennett over him.
If only he’d found the courage to be honest with her about his feelings, then maybe they could have been more than friends.
The beeping microwave pierced through his thoughts, and he fetched two pot holders before carrying the container to the table. The cats, who had both licked their plates clean, sauntered toward his small family room, where Drew was certain they would return to their favorite spots on the sofa and sleep away the evening.
Drew scooped chili into his bowl, added shredded cheese, and then began to eat while his mind continued to swirl with thoughts of Kacey.
A few years ago, he looked her up on social media and was shocked to find that she was still single. He had always imagined that she’d followed her dreams to Charlotte, settled down, and started a family. They shared a few short messages and then their communication stopped when it seemed they had each run out of things to say.
And now Kacey was back in Splendid Lake. He noticed her left hand was free of jewelry, and he couldn’t stop the what-ifs from rolling through his mind.
At the same time, Kacey had made it clear that she planned to go back to Charlotte. Still, renewing a friendship with her would be a gift. In fact, just having her as a part of his life would be a blessing.
Drew’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket and found a message from his coworker, Garrett Douglas.
How was choir practice?
Instead of typing a response, Drew dialed Garrett’s number, and he answered on the first ring.
“Was it that bad?” Garrett asked. Children’s voices sounded behind him, and Drew imagined Garrett’s wife wrangling their two- and four-year-old toward the bathtub.
Drew chuckled. “No, it was fine. I thought it would be easier to talk instead of typing. I had a full room. It was the usual mix of serious singers and kids who were more interested in their own conversations.”
“Sounds like my math classes,” Garrett joked. “Did you apply for that music department head job in Newton?”
Drew scrubbed his hand down his face. “I’m considering it.”
“You should do it.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“You know I’m not, but it’s a great opportunity. You should give it a try and see what happens. It’s a nice pay raise.”
“I’ll check out the job post again.”
“Good. You’re a great candidate.” A voice sounded behind Garrett. “I’d better go. Duty calls.”
