Bed Buddies

by St. Klaire, Stephanie

  Kinley turned to her sister. “And what if I get there and it’s not what I want anymore?”

  “Then you know where to find us!” Sadie shrugged.

  “I hope I made the right choice…”

  Sadie glanced her sister’s way, and said, “Dreams change, honey. Maybe yours just isn’t in New York anymore. You’ll know. You’ll know.”

  Portland was always busy, despite the hour, and the airport more so. With airport security what it was, and not being allowed past a specific security point without a ticket, Sadie dropped her sister off in front of the airport where they said their goodbyes. Kinley was to call as soon as she made it to New York, letting Sadie know she made it safely. Tears were shed, hugs had, and promises to talk on the phone weekly, text daily, and see each other at some point over the holiday season made.

  With baggage checked and more than an hour until her flight, Kinley sat in the coffee shop nearest her departure gate, alone with her thoughts due to a delayed flight. Of course, there was a delay — more time for her sit in the crosshairs of regret and possibilities. That was…until a familiar face sat at her table, across from her. Angelo Moretti. The gelato guy.

  “Why the long face, kid?” he said in his typical crusty tone.

  “I’m leaving, headed back to New York,” Kinley replied in between sips of her coffee.

  “So, what? I asked why the long face, not where ya headed.” Classic Moretti edge and straight to the point.

  “Oh, um…I don’t know. I’m just not excited to leave Pine Valley. Not sure if dance and New York is for me anymore.”

  “Pffft. Then why are ya goin’? I don’t see a gun to your head. If Pine Valley is where you want to be, then be in Pine Valley,” Moretti said with a side-eye glance. “Seems simple to me.”

  It really did seem simple when he put it like that, but why couldn’t she adopt that thinking? What was she chasing? Better yet, what was she afraid of?

  “I guess it’s just not as simple as it seems…or should be. I had a life in New York too,” Kinley admitted. “What if that is where I am supposed to be and Pine Valley was just an intermission?”

  “The way I heard it, little lady, was you were dumped by your life in New York. Is there really something there waiting for ya?” Moretti was a straight shooter of the brutal kind. “Or is this more about the pride you young ones carry around like a badge? I don’t get your generation one bit.”

  “Pride? No…not that at all, Mr. Moretti.”

  “Then what? Why are you running away, back to a place that already kicked you out, kid?”

  His words were harsh, classic Moretti, but provoked her own questioning. “I just don’t know.”

  “Ah, you do. You know why. Just too stubborn to see it. You’ll figure it out, though, and feel foolish when you do. Wish I was going to be there to say I told ya so.” He looked at his watch, then stood from the table. “My shipment should be offloaded soon. I better get back. My ingredients for the gelato arrive today from Italia.”

  Kinley’s jaw dropped. “You fly in ingredients from Italy?”

  “You young people…you just don’t understand. Of course I do.” Angelo Moretti put his hands out in question. “Why do you think it tastes as it does?”

  Kinley shrugged her shoulders and giggled at his offense. Truth be told, she liked Mr. Moretti and his abrasive honesty. She would remember him fondly.

  As he wandered out of sight, her gate was called for boarding. Her plane was there.

  Chapter 15

  There was another delay that left Kinley sitting in her seat for over an hour. The plane hadn’t even left the gate. Something had failed on the pre-flight check and it was being repaired as they sat and waited. If she was being honest, it didn’t sit right with her — and not out of fear of midflight malfunction, but because she wondered if it meant something.

  First her flight was delayed due to fog preventing incoming flights, leaving them short planes for outgoing flights. An odd encounter with Angelo Moretti a long way from Pine Valley. Now a delay due to mechanical failure. It was like she wasn’t supposed to leave, forced to sit there with her thoughts until she got this thing right.

  Mr. Moretti’s words danced thorough her head. New York had already let her go once, and maybe he was right. Maybe she was running back to a place that didn’t want anything from her, that was just a job and nothing more. But running from what? Jace?

  Her feelings for Jace had become much more than she wanted to admit, as her sister had said. The longer she sat on that idle plane, the longer she had to weigh the answers working their way to the surface. She was running. Kinley was scared.

  Her heart had been broken by the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with. It hurt a thousand ways to Sunday when she lost him and her career like they were a packaged deal. The hard truth was losing Jace and JT was already hurting worse, and it was her own doing this time. That spoke volumes to her past and present. Maybe she didn’t love her ex-fiancé and dance like she thought she did because the thought of losing that all over again didn’t compare to the weight in her chest from leaving Jace and JT. She even missed Pine Valley already.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. We are almost clear to taxi, but we had an injury among the flight staff. We are waiting for another attendant to join us and we will be on our way. We appreciate your patience. We should be cleared here shortly.”

  Another delay. Interesting. She saw this for what it was: a last chance. The universe was interfering, or assisting, depending on how you looked at it. Either way, it was fate playing a terrible game with her…or was it karma? Back to her thoughts, she picked up where she left off: Jace.

  Why was she running from Jace, their town, and the life they were building? That was the part she couldn’t bring herself to admit. He wasn’t like any man she had been with. In fact, he managed to put pieces back together for her she hadn’t even realized were broken. He made their relationship easy. He was easy to love.

  Love. That was it. He loved her, and it scared the shit out of her. The last man who said he loved her, left her, hurt her in a despicable way. She was afraid of living that nightmare over again. Only, the man who hurt her didn’t truly love her or it wouldn’t have been so easy for him to put her on a plane headed across the country and tell her never mind about the whole marriage thing.

  Jace loved her, though. Loved her hard. Loved her completely. Loved her sincerely. She knew that, felt it even. That’s why it was easy for him to let her go — he loved her that much. She had been such a fool. That was why being without Jace and JT already hurt so damn bad.

  She had no business going to New York. It wasn’t what she wanted, it wasn’t where she belonged. She belonged in Pine Valley, with Jace, and JT…teaching dance. New York was just an excuse to avoid what she had been fighting: her dream. It had changed, like her sister had said. Her dream was with them. Jesus, she was an idiot. It had been in front of her the whole time and she had just been too stubborn to admit it.

  Kinley jumped to her feet while grabbing her bag, ready to get off the plane while it was still at the gate, when the contents spilled on the floor in front of her. Picking up the contents, she noticed something she hadn’t before. The script the production sent, the one she was planning to study on the long flight, was on the top. It was the wrong script. It wasn’t even close. Not only was it from the wrong production, it wasn’t the choreography script. Tossing it in her bag, she took a second look at the flash drive that contained the music she was to use and realized it was labeled for the same wrong production.

  Laughter overcame her. Another sign. It was confirmation she was finally making the right decision. Kinley wasn’t supposed to go anywhere on that plane. She was chasing an old dream, in a town that didn’t want her, with a script that didn’t belong to her. She needed to get off the plane and back to Pine Valley.

  “Miss,” a small voice came from behind her, “please take your seat. We are being clea
red to taxi any moment.”

  “No, I can’t,” Kinley replied, taking in the attendant’s shocked expression. “I-I need to get out of here.”

  “Miss, we are about to leave. Our manifest is complete and with the captain. I need you to take your seat,” the attendant stated. “Our flight is already behind. We surely don’t need any more delays.”

  More laughter erupted from Kinley. “Which is why I need off this plane! See, I’m the cause for all of the delays!”

  A second attendant had joined them, both looking at each other with concern. “Miss, Cathy asked you to take your seat, and we need you to comply. If you feel you are the cause for all the delays…”

  “No, not literally, just figuratively.” She tossed her head with an added eyeroll, no need to get TSA and the FBI involved. “I’m not supposed to be on this flight. I’m not supposed to be going to New York.”

  Left speechless, unsure whether they had a sane or insane passenger before them, Kinley didn’t meet much resistance when she turned to open the door, letting herself off the flight. Just as she cleared the door and headed up the walkway to the gate, she heard the captain announce, yet again, another delay.

  Kinley stood anxiously in line at the rental car counter. It was made obvious why the past few customers left quickly and didn’t seem very pleased with the service they received when Kinley finally had her turn. They were all out of cars, trucks, and even vans — not even a commercial vehicle left to be rented. Feeling slightly defeated, she wandered away from the booth, weighing her options.

  A cab simply wouldn’t go that far, nor would an Uber. Even if they did, it would cost a small fortune. Calling Sadie was an option, but she felt like a jerk even considering it, since she already made a round trip today and had to be back in Pine Valley by now. Just when she thought she was out of options, the universe intervened again, because of course it did.

  “Mr. Moretti! Mr. Moretti!” Kinley hollered, running toward the older gentleman. “What are you still doing here?”

  “Do you pry in everyone’s business or just mine? The cargo flight my stuff’s on was delayed. Why are you here?” Moretti grumped. “You were supposed to be headed to New York.”

  “Same reason you’re just getting your gelato! Look, for some reason, my flight was delayed more times than I care to count and now they are out of rental cars. I need to get back to Pine Valley. Any chance I can ride with you?”

  “What makes you think I’m headed to Pine Valley?” Moretti asked.

  Kinley cocked her hip and tilted her head. “Mr. Moretti, where else would you be going with a bunch of gelato?”

  “Eh, good point. I have the truck. There isn’t much room,” he replied, still reluctant.

  “The ice cream truck?” Kinley questioned with a snort.

  “Yes, the ice cream truck. Is that funny? Didn’t seem funny when you asked for a ride, now did it?”

  “I’m sorry…I’m sorry. It’s just that…well, you were right, my sister was right, I’m supposed to be here. New York doesn’t need me. The universe intervened, hence all the delays keeping me from going! This is like some odd made for TV twist of fate meets karma for us both! You see it too, right?”

  “The what? The universe? I will never understand your generation!” He rolled his eyes. “Follow me, I’m parked this way. Extra weight means extra gas. Why am I so nice? I just don’t understand you kids.”

  She chuckled under her breath, grateful for her crotchety friend and, for the first time in days, happy. “Your gas is on me — now, let’s get…home.”

  Chapter 16

  As Pine Valley wine country came into view and they neared the town, Kinley began to fidget. She’d had the past hour to come up with what she wanted to say, and still had nothing. How did she put all she finally realized — weeks…months’ worth of feelings and emotions — into a simple speech that started with, hi, I’m back?

  “Just speak from your heart.” His Italian accent heavy, his tone soft and sweet for a change, Mr. Moretti tapped at his chest. “Right here. You can’t go wrong with the heart, miss.”

  How did he know what she was thinking? Was it that obvious?

  “From the heart, got it.” She blew out a nervous breath. “And if it’s too late?”

  “It’s never too late for love, miss.” Moretti tossed her a quick wink before returning to the road. “Not the real kind.”

  “Right…” she said in a near whisper, and then it hit her. “The park! Take me to the park!”

  “What?” An eyeroll with a dramatic sigh followed his question. “Why are we going to the park? What am I, some sort of taxi service to you? I’ll never understand…”

  “I know…you’ll never understand young people. Jace and JT, they’re at the park. It’s the last Friday of the month. All the kids are there for Painting in the Park,” Kinley recited. “And yes, technically…you’re my taxi, big guy!”

  Another big sigh, something Moretti was good at, and he made a quick, last minute sharp turn toward the park. An enormous crowd could be seen from quite a distance. Given the season threatening to change, and sunny, dry days becoming fewer and farther between, it made sense. Pine Valley residents wanted to organize one last Painting in the Park before they were forced indoors for the winter.

  “How will I find them in that crowd?” Kinley thought out loud.

  “Really?” Moretti was annoyed by her lack of imagination and determination. “You’re looking for a man with a child, you’re in an ice cream truck, and you don’t know how you’ll find him… I’ll never understand.”

  “Music! The ice cream truck music! The kids will come running…parents in tow! JT loves your gelato!” she said.

  Mr. Moretti looked up, as if speaking to the heavens. “She fiiinally gets it. This one. Oy!”

  Approaching the final blocks leading to the park, Moretti flipped on the music and the crowd began to separate. It worked. Kids were running and adults scattering — Kinley and Mr. Moretti were the cause of playground pandemonium.

  Parking at the curb, where a line was already forming, Kinley jumped out to search the crowd, climbing up the step on the side of the truck, holding the side mirror to stay balanced. Her phone buzzed in her hand, but she ignored it. She was on a mission — realizing her dream. Scanning the crowd, she finally found what she was looking for. This really was what it was about — finding what she was looking for, in life and in love. Jace.

  “Jace!” she shouted over the large, noisy crowd.

  Jace glanced up from the phone in his hand and looked around, but inevitably returned his attention to the phone he was holding. So, Kinley called his name again, getting the same result as before. Her phone buzzed yet again, but she ignored it.

  Kinley called Jace’s name one more time over the crowd, ready to wave her arms and gain his attention, but he didn’t even look this time. Frustrated, she grabbed her buzzing phone and turned it off before forging through the crowd to get to her man. Before she could, however, the notification on the screen grabbed her attention. It was a text from Jace.

  Why would he text her? He knew she was supposed to be in the air, New York bound. The man stood within shouting distance, but curiosity got the best of her and she opened the message.

  I know you won’t get this for a while, you’re still in the air, but I couldn’t wait until you landed. Kinley, I should have stopped you, asked you to stay, fought for you and us, chased you to the airport, hell…there were a lot of things I should have done. Like tell you I love you. I want you to be happy, and if that’s in New York, so be it. I’m sure they need kid docs there too. Anyway, I hope you had an uneventful flight, made it safe, and everything you want is waiting for you. If I’m part of that list, just say the word. All my love, Jace.

  Her eyes welled, overwhelmed with emotion from his words — he loved her, he was willing to move for her, Jace wanted to fight for her. Kinley chuckled at the part about an uneventful flight given the delays leading up to departing t
he plane. She had to assume it would have been a less than comfortable flight had she not caught on.

  Kinley’s attention was brought back to her phone and another message when it began to rattle in her hand.

  I already miss you so damn much, I swear I hear your voice calling my name. How ridiculous is that? Anyway, I love you. Call me when you land and get settled. Let’s talk.

  So, he had heard her calling his name — this moment felt surreal. He was saying all the right things, wishing for another chance just as she had while waiting for her flight, and here they were, with that chance.

  There it is again, your voice. Even JT hears it. We’re at the Painting in the Park. JT painted a unicorn for you — he’s never mentioned them before, but said you knew all about them. Guess we’re both a couple of love-sick guys. Talk soon.

  Swelling with joy, her heart soared, a feeling she hadn’t experienced before now. Jace’s words had moved her to tear-stained cheeks and a snorting giggle at the unicorn reference. If there was a single doubt in her mind up to this point, about where she was meant to be, that doubt was now gone.

  Her attention back on her phone, she decided to get his attention over the crowd another way. She texted him.

  I don’t even know what to say, other than, I love you too. So much it hurts. I was afraid, Jace…but I’m not anymore. Let’s talk, we’ll figure it out. Man, what I wouldn’t give to be in the park too, eating gelato with you and JT right now…

  This was silly, plain silly, a made for TV movie sweet romance silly. Here she was, confessing her love to a man via text message, teasing him with gelato, when he stood within walking distance. That’s what they had, though — a sweet romance — and that was how their story was meant to play out.