Love At First Hate (Love At Firsts Book 2)(22)

“Thank you. I usually hate talking to people, but you’ve opened my eyes tonight. Thank you for eavesdropping.” I chuckle.

“You’re very welcome. What else can a little old lady like me can do at this time of the night anyway.”

“Do you need a lift anywhere?”

“I live just there.” She points at the house closest to the cemetery. Bit of an odd choice to live this close to one, but I’m sure she has her reasons. “I don’t drive, and I don’t want to bother my last son and his family whenever I want to come visit the rest of my family. Weirdly I enjoy spending hours in here talking to my husband and kids. I might just be a crazy old lady, but that’s how I feel, and it makes me happy. I know it’s an odd choice to willingly come live here, but that’s the only way I can be and feel close to them for now.” A sad smile spreads on her lips.

“It makes sense.”

“If you ever need to talk, about anything, you can find me by the orchard or at my house. I mean it. I still make mean cookies.” She winks at me.

“Thank you…”

“Rose, and you?”

“Thank you, Rose, I’m Nate.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Nate.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” I smile and walk her to her house. The distance is just a couple of yards, but I wouldn’t want her to trip as it’s quite dark out already.

“Don’t forget…”

“I won’t. I’ll come over to see you soon.” I smile and make sure she gets in okay before heading back to my car.

This isn’t something I had planned in my day. I didn’t expect to meet a kind stranger who wouldn’t judge me by my choices and would tell me to explore what I’ve been curious about for the past twenty years.

I drive back home feeling lighter than I’ve ever been before. I never expected today to end like this, but I guess it’s on a pretty positive note, and I have a new friend. Even though she’s a little old lady, she made me feel better by talking with her for a couple of minutes than my family ever did in thirty-five years.

I need to let go and move on.



I’m just about to go to bed when there’s a knock at the door. I’ve been home for a couple of hours now and have been cleaning up the rest of the mess Lindsey made and packed up her stuff to send to her tomorrow. I don’t want any remnants of her presence here anymore.

I walk to the door and open, shocked to see Matt.

“Pizza delivery.” He smirks, leaning against the door frame.

“Bad porn preview?” I chuckle, opening the door to let him in.

I don’t know how things are going to go with Matt, but whatever happens tonight, I won’t stop it.





Usually, I would be all about spending time with my friends and enjoying that time, but after the disaster that happened at Nate’s table, I quickly lost my appetite and just wanted to go after him. However, I didn’t want to put him through more trouble than he already is in. Had I followed him, I’m sure his family would have suspected something.

I knew I had to come make sure he’s okay. I don’t know if I’m the guy he mentioned, and even if I’m not, he probably needs a friend, and I’m willing to put our little friendly feud to the side.

“How do you feel?” I ask as I place the pizza box and six pack of beers on the kitchen island.

“Oddly good,” he says surprising me. I thought he’d be a mess with what happened.

“Do tell?” I ask him.

“It’s a long story.” He doesn’t seem to want to talk, but I have to know.

“Come on. I brought pizza and beer. I’m more of a cheese and wine guy. That’s my way of saying I’m putting whatever feud we have to the side and offering you a shoulder to cry on.”

“I’ve done my crying for the day.” He sighs and takes an angry bite of pizza.

“What happened? Besides the obvious.” I take a bite out of the slice I picked up, and it’s actually quite good. I’m not much of a pizza fan. Cheese shouldn’t be melted to me.

“Went for a drive and to the cemetery where my mom is buried,” he says sounding sullen.

“Sorry to hear.” I frown placing my hand on his. He doesn’t pull away nor appears to be uncomfortable with the gesture.

“It’s okay. It happened thirty years ago. I just like to go there whenever something like tonight goes down.”

“I take it wasn’t the first time?”

“I stopped counting twenty years ago.”

“That’s a shame. Why is your father such a dick?”

He chuckles. “I wish I had an answer to that. To this day, I still don’t know, and I don’t think I ever will.”

“Some things are better left unanswered, but I can see why it would mess you up.”

“I need to let it go and live for myself.” He sighs and licks tomato sauce from his fingers. Now I wouldn’t mind sucking his fingers clean…or something else for that matter. “Why are you looking at me like I’m a piece of meat?” He raises his eyebrow.

“Sorry, dirty thoughts crossed my mind as you were licking your fingers.” I chuckle.

“Great…” he mutters.