Chapter Thirty-Three
Never knew you to be a chicken, Summers.
Jake’s words echoed around my brain as I stared at the ceiling. It was only four. Too early to get up, too late to sleep. I wasn’t going to spend my time chasing down a woman who didn’t want me. It was disrespectful to both of us.
Why had I sent that email? She probably thought I was an idiot. Why wasn’t there an un send option? I could video chat with someone on the other side of the world with a push of a button—Mom and I managed a ten-minute Zoom for my birthday last year—but I couldn’t un send an email to my ex-girlfriend?
I pulled my pillow over my face and groaned. Then I heard my phone buzz. I sat up, confused. I didn’t bother with do not disturb these days. There was no one who’d contact me in the middle of the night.
Flipping on the bedside light, I grabbed my phone and opened my texts. I recognized the number as soon as I saw it. Carma.
Carma: Sorry, just saw your email.
Carma: Wasn’t ignoring you.
Carma: Omg, I just looked at the time. I hope I didn’t wake you!
What did I say to that? It had been only like eight hours since I sent it and I hadn’t even expected her to respond.
Me: No need to apologize. Was already up. You okay?
Carma: Yes.
Carma: No.
Carma: Not really. But I will be.
Me: yes, you will I stared at the three little dots so hard, I thought I’d burst a blood vessel in my eye.
Carma: The Blackburn House has an open house tomorrow.
Me: You should go!
Carma: I don’t want to go alone.
Carma: What are you doing tomorrow?
I dropped the phone and lay back down on my pillow for a moment. “She wants to see me!” I said to no one. I sat back up and replied.
Me: I’m completely open.
Carma: Meet you there at 10?
Me: Sounds like a plan.
Carma: *heart emoji*
I had been less nervous when they airlifted me to the hospital. As I turned the corner to the Blackburn house, I nearly laughed. I was half an hour early, but Carma was already leaning against the patio. She had a parasol to block her from the sun, her polka dot, navy blue jumpsuit and orange sweater hugged every curve. She had a collection of bangles on her wrist with names and dates on them.
I don’t know how it was possible, but she got more beautiful every time I saw her. “You look incredible.”
She smiled so wide, it made me smile. “You, too.” She leaned in and air kissed my cheek, giving me a quick, one-armed hug.
When she pulled back, I gestured to the bracelets that clattered. “Did you make these?”
She nodded. “They’re the names and dates of every woman who was executed during the Salem witch trials. I wanted to honor them, especially now that I know witches are real. Even if these women didn’t practice witchcraft.”
“That’s really cool.”
“I’m weird.”
“I like weird.”
She searched my face. “Mina…”
I tensed, waiting for the “just friends” speech. Thankfully, the front door opened, and the Realtor walked out.
“You’re early,” he said. “But if you’d like to come in, we’re ready for you.”
“Wonderful!” Carma turned her most charming smile on him and he took a step back.
I know how you feel, dude. I followed her up the porch stairs and into the house that rolled out in front of us. It would need a few cosmetic updates and a handful of more serious upgrades, including the electrical, but as I watched Carma move through each room, I knew. She was all in.
I could see her designing each space, picture her with paint on her face and in her hair, sawdust covering the floor. She could start over here and go after her dream. I swallowed hard and fell behind her, needing a minute to collect my thoughts.
“You’re early.”
I startled as Sebastian appeared next to me. “What are you doing here?” I whispered through clenched teeth.
“I longed to see the inside of this house and thankfully, it’s just within my tether.”
Reggie appeared next to him. “He wanted to see how awkward you were being with Carma.”
“Traitor,” I grunted.
“So very awkward,” Reggie surmised.
I sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on, okay? And I don’t want to ask while she’s doing her thing. I can wait.”
The two of them exchanged a look.
“What?”
Sebastian nodded in Carma’s direction. “Standing back here wasting your time with us isn’t going to solve your problem.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I can’t believe I missed you.” I hurried after Carma, entering the uppermost bedroom in the house. It was small but cozy, with sloped ceilings and a small closet.
Carma stepped into the closet. “It’s a decent size for a guest room.”
I leaned in and looked. “Yeah, not bad.” I stumbled as I was shoved by the door from behind and almost fell into Carma. I caught myself on the wall and spun around, only to hear the sound of a latch.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I pulled my cell out of my pocket and turned on the flashlight app. Jiggling the handle did nothing. “Sebastian, Reggie, this isn’t funny. How’d you even do that?”
“Been practicing,” Reggie admitted. “Doors are easy now.”
I ran my hand down my face. “I did this.” I knocked on the door. “Let us out.”
“After you both reach a satisfying conclusion about your relationship,” Sebastian promised.
“You locked us in a closet to force us to talk about a relationship?”
“Yes,” they both said at once.
“Exorcism.”
Carma laughed softly. “Well, I did say I wanted a haunted B&B. I guess I should’ve known that would come with a side of ghosts. Are they friends of yours?”
“Depends on the day. I may sage these two out of this town.”
She put her hand on my forearm. “Stop, it’s okay. We can talk.”
“Okay. Let’s talk.”
We were both silent. Then we both laughed awkwardly.
“I miss you,” she whispered. “I almost call you every day.”
“I miss you, too.”
“I know the prudent thing is to ask if you’d like to try to be friends again?”
Friends. The word echoed in my brain. I struggled to get a lungful of air. “Friends doesn’t work for me.”
My voice was steady as I said it, even though my heart was pounding so hard my hands hurt. “I was willing to risk everything I had worked for my entire life to be with you, and that hasn’t changed. I didn’t know what I was missing until you came into my life. You unlocked something inside of me. So if only friends is what you want, then I’m sorry. I’m out.”
Her only response was a soft gasp.
“I’m all in, Carma. I know I’m difficult and I have literally no experience with being in love, but I will do everything I can every day to make you happy. And if you’re not all in, then I’ll hug you when we leave, and we’ll walk away. For good.”
“Mina?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you done?”
“Yeah.”
She moved so fast, I didn’t have a chance to respond. I was in her arms, her mouth on mine in one single move. I gasped, wrapping my arms around her, digging my hands into her hair. I angled my head to deepen the kiss. All the pieces of my broken heart pulled together, delicately clinging to each other.
“I don’t want to build a life without you,” she whispered against my skin as she kissed my cheeks, the underside of my jaw, my neck. “Can we start over?”
“Yes. Please.” I brought her mouth back to mine. In between kisses, I whispered to her. “My real name is Mina Summers. My parents are Jim and Beth. I’m technically an only child, but Jake is my brother. I like pineapple on pizza. I hate olives. I’ve never seen the new Star Wars. These two dumbass ghosts are my best friends.”
She laughed and kissed me hard, shutting me up.
The lock releasing startled us back to reality. I gave Carma one more kiss then opened the door, taking a moment to smooth her hair before we stepped out, hand in hand. Sebastian and Reggie gave each other high fives, and I gave them the finger.
“You’re welcome,” Sebastian said.
“Exorcism,” I teased. Carma squeezed my hand. “So, you going to make an offer?”
She smiled. “Definitely. What shall we do to celebrate?”
I laughed and shook my head in disbelief that I was about to ask her this. “Wanna be my date to a wedding?”
The End
About the Author
Bold, Breathtaking, Badass Romance.
When she’s not pretending to be a rock star with purple hair, award-winning author Heather Novak is crafting sex positive romance novels to make you swoon! After her rare disease tried to kill her, Heather mutated into a superhero whose greatest power is writing stories that you can’t put down. Heather tries to save the world (like her late mama taught her) from her home near Detroit, Michigan, where she lives with Mr. Heather and a collection of musical instruments. She identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community and believes Black Lives Matter.
Follow her at HeatherNovak dot net. You can learn more about Heather’s rare disease at: Hypopara dot org
AWARDS:
2021 BEQ Pride Magazine’s 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40
2019 Writer’s Digest Self Published E-Book Awards, Honorable Mention (Romance)
2019 Chanticleer International Book Awards: Chatelaine Book Award, First Place (Romantic Fiction)
2019 Write Touch Readers’ Award Winner (Wisconsin, Romance Writers of America)
2019 New England Readers’ Choice Winner (New England Chapter, Romance Writers of America)