I pulled myself up, and Kerr scowled at me. “Where are you going?”
“To deal with something,” I growled, stepping out of the room and heading outside.
Chapter 5 - Nina
I had built up a lot of courage to pull myself out of the house. I wanted to stay inside and stay underneath my sheets and act like I wasn't married. But by noon, my stomach growled angrily, and Frank had nothing in the house to eat. I was forced to leave the house and look for food.
I ended up grabbing lunch at a little diner near downtown and stared out the window. Across the street was a vast garden with pathways that seemed to lead in different directions. It was beautiful. I had to give it that much. Frank's pack was one of the oldest and was filled with history, but the town was still in great condition. All the buildings were stunning and cared for. The yard work was meticulous, with plants blooming all over.
I stirred my drink, not wanting to go home. I had no idea when Frank would return, but I didn't know what to say to him. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do with myself. I had made a beautiful life for myself in Jay's pack, and it was all being ripped away.
I felt tears well up as the realization started to sink in. I had thought about my apartment and my job. I told myself it was only a drive away. But in truth, I didn't want to make that drive every day. And even if I did, I didn't live there. I needed to start making a life for myself here. I couldn't hang onto that life because it no longer existed.
I knew a way to move past that was by getting to know the town. Learn the town's history, and I could meet some people while I did. But I had to step out of my bubble to do it.
I finished my soda and made my way across the street. There were a lot of shopping boutiques and a cute flower shop. I paused at the crosswalk when I took in a few bigger buildings.A couple of gardeners were working in a flower bed and a large open lawn. Everything was cared for.
I walked closer, realizing that the one in the middle was City Hall, and the courthouse was next to it. I walked the pathway, taking in the smell of lavender and pine. I sat on one of the benches and stared at it all.
The space had a calming effect, which surprised me. I had expected to feel uncomfortable, but I didn't.
The wind blew slightly, and one of the gardener's hats flew free from her. It went tumbling a few feet away towards me, landing right in front of me. I reached down, picking it up. I walked over towards the gal, who looked embarrassed.
“Thank you,” she said, reaching for the hat as I handed it to her. She pulled it back on, covering up her deep black hair.
“You're welcome. This place is beautiful.”
She blushed. “Thank you. We all take pride in it.” She stepped out of the flower bed and patted her hands on her pants. “Are you new here? I don't think I've ever seen you around.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I just moved into town.”
The lady's blue eyes seemed to sparkle at this knowledge. “Really? What brought you down? New job?”
I stalled for a second, unsure of how I should word it. I'm sure word of our marriage would spread if it hadn't already. That and I didn't know how people would feel about it. I knew his pack had a certain view about humans, and Frank seemed to share the same views as them.
“I'm actually recently married, and he lives here.”
Her eyes seemed to sparkle at this. “Really? Well, congratulations on the marriage. Hopefully, a long and love-filled life.”
My stomach tensed up at her words. I had no idea what I was in for, and I was nervous to find out. In my attempt to change the subject, I pointed towards the flowers. “What were you planting?”
“Well, with summer ending, we were pulling out the plants we didn't think would return next year. We have a few shrubs that were looking a little sick this year that we wanted to get rid of. Otherwise, we were just trimming back.”
I nodded, looking around the space. I had always had a fascination with flowers and how they grew. I had a few potted plants at my apartment that I kept out on my patio. I knew that Frank had some plants in his house, but I wasn't sure what he had, and I doubted he was going to be okay with me planting anything.
“So, have you checked out all the buildings downtown yet?”
I shook my head. “I haven't. I was just looking at a few. The flower shop looks adorable.”
She nodded her head. “My sister runs it. She does a really good job.” She took off a glove and extended her hand. “Where are my manners? I'm Jillian.”
“Nina,” I said, shaking her hand.
Jillian pulled her other glove off, shoving them into the pockets of her garden apron. “There is also an art gallery if you go west from my sister's flower shop. They sell local artist work.”
“Really?”
Jillian nodded. “Yeah, you should check it out sometime. They have a lot of different things there. Everyone finds something.”
