The Accidental Kiss

by Heatherly Bell

  When they were both dating other people, it was easier to make fun of the legend. Now that he was the man in her bed, quite a different story. It he wanted to keep her, and he did, best to walk as if there were landmines every few feet.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the sailboat.” She wouldn’t look at him, so he pulled her to him and held on tight.

  That’s right, you fool. Hold her tight and don’t let her go. Because the minute you turn your back, she’ll be gone.

  Only family stays.

  “Never mind,” she said, rather unconvincingly. “It’s okay.”

  He took her by the shoulders, barely resisting the urge to shake her. “Believe in something real. Believe in yourself.”

  Frustration bubbled up as to why she felt the need to be special in some magical way.

  “But what if it’s real? What if a kiss at sunset is magic and suddenly you can see right in front of you who it is that you love? Who you’ve always loved?”

  “That’s a lot of what-ifs.”

  “What-ifs lead to what is.” She tipped her chin. “Are you afraid to kiss me at sunset because you don’t want to know that it could be me? Not for the long haul. Not…not forever.”

  She wasn’t far from the truth. Though he didn’t believe in magic, he wasn’t sure he believed in forever love either. Forever friendships, sure, and that’s what he already had with her. But that left him wondering about his relationship status with Charley. Friends forever, yes. For the rest he couldn’t say. He knew what he wanted but what would actually happen no one could say for certain. Worse, she was forcing him to examine and evaluate when all he wanted to do was enjoy her and whatever time they’d have together.

  As if she read his mind, she continued, “So what are we? Just friends? Lovers? Please don’t say friends with bennies.”

  He flinched at the casual term. “You need a label for us? I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. But it’s always been one day at a time for me.”

  Another bay breeze kicked up, rolling over the waves, and she clung to him.

  Hands fisted in her wild hair, he pulled her face close and forced her to look at him. “This is what we have. Here and now. Can you trust me?”

  “I always have.”

  “Then let’s go grab a clam chowder bread bowl, girl, because I’m a hungry man.” He took her hand and pulled her in the direction of the wharf.

  It was finally time for the Alice Reyes Fourth of July celebration and Charley wouldn’t let anything ruin the C-word-free Celebration. Not the fact that she still wasn’t really speaking to Milly. Not the fact that Dylan was possibly the most unromantic man on earth to consider overcharging couples for a sailboat on Sunset Kiss.

  Today was a special day for more than one reason. Ten years ago, Alice Reyes had been given her remission news on the Fourth of July. The C-word took Coral Monroe and it almost took Alice Reyes. Charley and Milly had a pact never to say the word out loud again until the ugly beast was eradicated by modern medicine.

  Alice called her remission a miracle. And if you wanted to claim a miracle, this would be the one. Charley firmly believed the “C” had been too afraid of the wrath of the beautiful boy who faithfully took his mother to her chemo appointments. Dylan had been studying fire science at the time, plus working at the marina. He took a break that semester and worked even harder to pay off the mounting medical bills. His brothers helped too, of course, but none more than Dylan. The residents of Miracle Bay rallied, organizing drives and crowdfunding to pay medical bills and keep up mortgage payments. Charley, Milly and Coral had visited often, delivering donuts, pastries and hugs. So, in a way, today was a celebration of all life’s miracles, large and small.

  There was only one matter that might go sideways.

  On the morning of the Fourth, after she’d supervised Naomi baking, Charley ran upstairs, knocked on Milly’s apartment door once and let herself in. This fight had gone on long enough and she would end it today.

  “What are you doing here?” Milly said from the couch. “I asked Naomi to bring me a chocolate glazed donut.”

  “That’s not healthy.” Ignoring Milly’s scowl, Charley went straight to the kitchen where she opened the cabinet door and pulled out a bowl. “Eggs are good for you and the bean. Protein.”

  She cracked three eggs, added milk, a handful of cheese, and whisked. She brought a plate of cooked eggs to Milly, but Charley didn’t simply excuse herself and leave.

  Milly took a bite and then studied Charley, her brow furrowed. “What is it?”

  “Look.” Charley took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but I’m not leaving you. And I don’t want you to be angry anymore.”

  “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t really want you to go.” Milly studied her plate. “And I’m sorry I yelled at you for giving Peter an anxiety attack.”

  “I totally deserved that.” Charley plopped down beside Milly on the sofa, causing Rufus to hiss.

  “The pregnancy hormones are making me too emotional.” Milly rubbed her eyes. “If I’m not feeling homicidal then I’m crying during a kitty litter commercial.”

  “I’ve really missed you.” Charley tried for a smile. “I’m coming in for a hug.”

  Like Coral, Milly wasn’t given to spontaneous displays of affection. Charley could definitely relate. Given her past, she didn’t trust hugs when they were sometimes followed by smacks. Even now, she had only a handful of people she hugged. Dylan, his family and…Milly. When she’d let her. Today all signs were clear for a landing in the arms of one very pregnant Milly. She opened arms wide and put on her little frown of acceptance, like this would be a big deal but she would allow it. It was a little awkward hugging with a huge baby bump between then, but Charley managed.

  “And…I have a confession to make, but maybe your psychic wavelengths are picking up on this.”

  “You and Dylan? It’s not the psychic waves picking it up, it’s the thin walls.” She made a face. “But hey, congratulations on all the orgasms.”

  “Um, thanks. But this is…something else.”

  “Huh.” Milly quirked a brow. “Wait. I’m sensing…guilt. Which makes sense, because of Peter and all, but…no, that’s not it. This is about food. That’s not like you. Why are you feeling guilty about food? Are you sick or something? What’s wrong with you?”

  Maybe Milly was psychic. “You’re close. I’ve been expanding our menu. Now, don’t get mad, I can explain—”

  “Why would I be mad?”

  “You and Coral never wanted to do anything but pastries. This was always to be a bakery and nothing more.” She stopped and spoke slowly in Coral’s no-nonsense tone. “Don’t want to get greedy, you know.”

  “But I kept everything the same after she died because I was too lazy to change anything. I might be my mother’s daughter, but we don’t do everything alike. I mean, just look at me.” She pointed to her belly. “Can you even picture our mother knocked up and unmarried?”

  They both laughed so hard that Rufus, highly annoyed, hopped off his perch and left the room.

  “Honestly,” Milly said, looking behind her. “When I first got pregnant, I half worried she’d come back to haunt me and scold me for the rest of my days.”

  “I know. I was really worried about you. The trouble you’d be in. It took me a minute to remember.” Charley spoke slowly, hesitantly. “Sometimes…it feels like she’s still here.”

  Milly nodded. “For me, too.”

  “Do you know why I looked for Maggie?” Charley asked.

  “Because you wanted to know her, to see if you’d turn out just like her.”

  Charley opened her mouth, then closed it again. Of course, Milly would understand.

  “I worry I’ll be like my mom sometimes, too. Overprotective. Overbearing. Worried all the time. Afraid of men. A little afraid of life. Of course, the thing is, I hope I’ll be all of the good things she was, too. Like loyal and compassionate. Kind. A good businesswoman. You and I both
know no one is either all good or all bad. We’re all made up of both nature and nurture. The good thing is we get to pick who we’re going to be. Who we want to be. And I hope you agree that I may look like my mother, but I’m not like her. For instance, I’m taller than she was. I have bigger hips even if I don’t want them. My hair is straighter. And I don’t think all men are horrible creatures that only want to get in my pants. I wish! But I do wonder how I wound up with my Aunt Nancy’s feet. Her feet are just like mine.” Milly wiggled her toes. “Barney Rubble feet.”

  Charley hadn’t ever given all that much thought to the obvious differences between Milly and Coral. Still, there were times when Milly said something or smiled a certain way, and Charley thought: Coral. Mother and daughter were linked to each other inevitably, both through DNA and love.

  Charley had the biology with Maggie, but she’d never had the love. Or if she’d had it, it was the ghost of a memory now. Yet she couldn’t forget her mother. Couldn’t forget the way she’d brushed Charley’s hair one hundred times until it shined. Or how beautiful she was all made up like a movie star. She’d been a goddess to Charley. Red lipstick, blonde hair long and wavy, wearing her high-heeled boots, leather jacket and jeans. Tossing her head back, laughing, telling Charley that one day they were going to live in a castle and have servants waiting on them. Then she’d buy Charley all the Barbies and ice cream she wanted.

  But instead one day all the sparkle and shine that was Maggie was just gone. While the system, she understood now, had worked for family reunification, Maggie didn’t hold up her end of the deal. And no other family had wanted Charley until Coral and Milly. Even though logically she now understood that as a child none of it could have been her fault, there remained one ridiculous part of her that believed with all her heart that nothing would have ever gone wrong if she’d simply been good enough.

  “I loved Coral. And I stopped looking for Maggie. I was afraid that I’d get rejected by her all over again. And then finally one day I realized that it didn’t matter anymore. I already had the mother I wanted. I didn’t choose her, and I didn’t deserve her either. But she chose me. You both did. And she never threw me away even if maybe…she should have. It would have been easier.”

  “If she’d even tried to kick you out, I would have stopped her.”

  “Aw.”

  “You were my sister from the moment you walked in that door looking like the tomboy in Some Kind of Wonderful. You know I love shoes, the fancier the better, but somehow I’ve always wanted to rock a pair of Chucks the way you do.”

  “It’s official. When I die, I’m leaving you every pair I own.”

  “Stop it. You’re going to make me ugly cry.”

  “I’m too big to move. Just leave me here, and if I give birth while you’re gone I’ll try not to make a big mess.” Milly hid behind a pillow, Rufus as usual in his perch above her as Cat Guard.

  The party would start soon, and Milly still wasn’t dressed.

  “Sorry, no.” Charley went hands on hips and Rufus hissed at her. “The doctor said modified bed rest. I’ve been letting you get away with this, but I looked it up. Modified means you can get up for a couple of hours every day. I’m not going without you. This is a big day. The C-free celebration—”

  Milly smacked her forehead. “Oh crap, this means I have to get out of my yoga pants, doesn’t it?”

  “Wear the yoga pants. No one minds.” Charley gave Milly a hand up.

  “No, I want to look nice.” Milly waddled to the bedroom. “You never know who I could meet. Maybe the man of my daydreams.”

  Charley snorted.

  Milly turned back, rubbing her belly. “Kidding. I’m a little busy here.”

  Alice Reyes’ three-story Victorian home was at the crest of one long and steep hill. It was several blocks from the bakery and a bit of a hike up the hill so for Milly’s sake they drove the short distance. The house was already full to the brim when they arrived, but it usually was a full house anyway with all of Mrs. Reyes tenants.

  The handsome Tutti, one of Charley’s favorite boarders, opened the door. “Well, hello kids! Welcome to the fray! It’s the cancer-free celebration and we’re all atwitter.”

  “Actually, I think you mean Twitter,” said Milly as she waddled past him.

  Mrs. Reyes was right behind Tutti with hugs for everyone. Charley carried her paninis and followed Alice into the kitchen to set her plate down with the rest of the food. She kissed Abuelita, who leaned toward the stove and stirred a pot of soup as only an octogenarian could pull off without looking lazy. After saying hello to half a dozen people from the neighborhood and bakery regulars, Charley found Milly where Dylan had apparently deposited her. She was outside in a chaise chair parked near a tray of pretzels and chips.

  “Have you seen Dylan?”

  “I think he went looking for you, but I can’t say I’ve seen him since he treated me like an invalid.”

  “Oh, c’mon, he was just trying to help.”

  “Wow. Kidding. Boy, you really don’t get my sense of humor anymore.” She waved her hands in a circular motion. “Hmm. I’m feeling a little upset in your aura.”

  Ashley Banning, one of Dylan’s many exes walked toward Milly, a Corona in one hand. What was she doing here?

  “Oh, okay,” Milly said. “I see.”

  “Hey there, you two.” She gave Milly a full appraisal. “Oh, you poor thing, look how big you are.”

  “I’m pregnant.” Milly deadpanned. “Not fat.”

  Ashley laughed behind her hand. “You’re so funny. I’m a nurse, you know. Call me anytime if you have any questions.”

  “She’s got a doctor,” Charley said. “A good one.”

  “I’m only a phone call away.”

  “So is the doctor.” Charley swallowed. “Does Dylan know you’re here?”

  “I hope so. He invited me. We’re friends now. Kind of like you and he are. You know, besties.”

  Either it was Charley’s imagination or there was a tone of smugness in her words. Ashley was never going to be friends with Dylan the way he’d been with Charley, so why did her entire body tense in response? Maybe it was because Ashley was eyeballing her like Charley had done something wrong. Like she’d been pretending to be his friend for thirteen years. Like maybe she’d broken the two of them up when she’d done no such thing. Dylan had dated a lot of women, and now…well, now it was Charley’s turn.

  “I’m going to go find Dylan,” Charley said.

  But she was stopped by Padre Suarez, Mrs. Sorrento, Marco and Donna before she finally found Dylan in the kitchen. He was forcing Abuelita to take a seat.

  “I’m fine, mijo!” She waved arthritic fingers dismissively.

  “Then why do you look like you’re going to fall over?” He glanced up and made eye contact with Charley. “There you are.”

  “I was looking for you,” Charley said.

  After asking his Uncle Rick to watch out for his grandmother, Dylan pulled her out of the kitchen.

  “Did you know Ashley is here?” Charley said.

  “Yeah.” He took her hand and led her out of the kitchen to the patio. “My mom invited her.”

  Right. That made sense. Alice was forever trying to get her oldest son married off.

  The moment Charley stepped onto the brick patio floor, one of Alice’s tenants used a spoon to ping against a glass. “Everyone! I’ve got an announcement to make.”

  Everyone turned to the tall and slender man holding his arm out wide.

  “For those who don’t know me, I’m Dan. As many of you know, I moved to San Francisco not knowing a single soul. I met Alice and Pepita Reyes and my entire world changed. I had a place to live and a family. Friends.” He held up his glass in a toast. “This celebration is just one more day to enjoy life but Alice does that every day. Thank you, Alice. Because of you, I met my soulmate, Izzy.”

  A dark-haired woman next to him smiled and he pulled her into an embrace.

  “Sh
e rented a room on the same floor, and we became friends right away. We spent time in the common area and helped cook meals together. Eventually that led to some dates, and…some other stuff.”

  Everyone laughed, Charley included. She reached for Dylan’s hand and squeezed it.

  “Yes, we took the sailboat last August and kissed at sunset! I would have waited a month, but because today is such a special day...” The man dropped to one knee and everyone gasped. “Izzy, would you marry me?”

  Izzy was saying “yes” over and over again, kissing Dan and practically levitating. Everyone clapped, even Dylan. Charley’s hands were too numb to clap.

  Alice fanned her eyes, trying to hold back the waterworks. “He hasn’t even told you the best part. They lived within a mile of each other where they grew up in Kansas City. Never even met until they both moved here. Everyone, this happened because they met here in Miracle Bay! Another miracle, I’m telling you! This is the place for love and miracles.”

  More clapping.

  Dylan snorted. “Okay, Ma.”

  Charley didn’t clap. She didn’t smile. One more sunset kiss miracle. How many did that make now?

  She’d lost count.

  22

  “Sex is kinda like cooking. Everyone can do it, but only some can make it delicious.”~ Apron

  Dylan wanted to personally thank Dan on behalf of single men everywhere for making them all feel like chumps.

  Seriously. A miracle? True love because of a stupid kiss at sunset? He had insider information on said miracle and if these two were together, it was largely due to the machinations of one Alice Ramona Reyes. He had a good guess how this miracle had happened. When she’d done their respective background checks for renting to them, it hadn’t been that difficult to discover that they were both originally from the same area.