Sparing the Heart (Pastime Pursuits #3) (26 page)

He tosses his head back and laughs, a hearty one, straight up from his belly. "Good point, Kate. I never quite considered that spin on it.”

"Anyway, I'm here to get my license renewed." And sing “Happy Birthday” to myself. I think I’ll stop off for a big ice cream cone on the way home. Chocolate
and
vanilla. Maybe dipped again in chocolate. My stomach rumbles and I touch my hand to my tummy, hoping he didn’t hear.

"I wish you could just mail in for that."

"I agree. Trust me, I checked. Can’t I email a head shot? I can use the one on my business cards.” It’s not a bad photo, either. My
 
hair is perfect, professionally done that morning, and my red blouse pops against the white background. I even brought out lipstick. I
never
wear lipstick.

"If they allowed that, I can imagine the selfies people would send in. The standard for a license would become the duck face.” He sucks in his cheeks and flattens his lips.

“Stunning look on you!” I pull myself back to get a better angle, and cover my mouth when a snort manages to find it’s way out. “Sorry but that face…”

“Not afraid to snort in public? That’s a nice quality to have.”

Is he flirting with me? No. He can’t be. He’s attractive in a Jim Halpert kind of way. I only saw a few episodes of
The Office
, but he seemed to be a funny guy. I mean, AJ is much more Jim than that Dwight character, and lock me away with a thousand cats if I ever find myself with a guy like that Ryan. “So, I told you my reason for being here. What are
you
in for?”

“My daughter is taking her driver’s test.”
 

"That's exciting." Okay, so he has a daughter. Old enough to drive. He doesn’t look much older than me, though most women my age already have children. Now I’m remembering how far away from that I am.
Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts!

He laces his fingers together and drops his hands to his lap. “Not for Dad. I’m a tad on edge. Talking with you has helped keep my mind off of it.”

Definitely flirting. I’ll be kind, but I’m not interested. Kellan and I just called it quits less than a week ago. I’m managing, but I’m not ready to move on yet.
 

“I’m glad it’s not snowing. I probably would have made her cancel and then I’d go on her hate list for a month until she got to take it again."

"I hate driving in the snow, so I totally understand."

"Are you working or engulfing yourself in social media?" He points to my tablet.
 

"I'm not really the social media type." Anything I involve myself in social media-wise is only for work. I dabble in Facebook, but I don’t understand Twitter, Snapchat, or any of the other things kids are doing these days. “I’m a realtor and thought I’d get some work done while I’m wasting away here.” They’re now serving number 190. I’m getting there. And surviving.

“I’m headed back to the office after she finishes her exam. I’m a marketing manager over at Clear Pen.”

AJ has earned my undivided attention. “My bachelor’s degree is in marketing, believe it or not.” And I’ve heard of Clear Pen. The company designs different promotional products.

"So why aren't you working in the field?”

“I like to think I am in a roundabout way. I assisted in running my family business for many years, which meant designing flyers and things, and in real estate, I need to be creative to sell homes. I try to utilize it as best I can.”

"Is marketing something you're still interested in?"

I never gave it much thought. Between the bed and breakfast and switching careers once I moved here, I kind of treat it all like
Groundhog Day
. Now that this question is being raised, I think about it for a moment. ”Yes, it is."

"Tell you what," he opens up his wallet and hands me a card. "We should meet up sometime for lunch."

I furrow my brow as I review the card. Is he asking me out on a date?
 

"A business lunch,” he clarifies. “Let’s chat about the direction you want to take your career.”

I'm holding the card in my hand and my mind flashes back to my early twenties when I was forced to choose between my dreams and a man. I chose the man and that didn't end well. Here’s my second chance. “I’d like that."

A young, blond girl races toward us with her hands in the air and she's jumping up-and-down. "Daddy, I passed! I passed!"

AJ hugs his daughter and gives me a nod before walking away.

Maybe the DMV isn't so bad after all.

••••••••••

Thirty minutes pass since AJ and his newly licensed daughter leave before my number is finally called. I jump up and almost drop my tablet on the floor, as though I won the lottery. I gather my things and rush to the counter before they tick to the next person.
 

The worker doesn't even lift her head as she asks, "How may I help you?"

I guess I should be happy she at least asked somewhat politely, but I don’t want to have a conversation with her 1980s perm. “I’m here to renew my drivers license."

"I'll need your current license and if you look into the machine I can test your eyes." I’m still discussing this with her hair, and she continues to push papers around and type on her computer.

I grunt as I start digging through my purse for my wallet. It’s in here somewhere. My hand pats around the bottom of the bag and I shove my tablet out of the way.

“All forms and paperwork must be ready by the time we call you."

"I'm sorry that I didn’t prep this an hour and a half in advance.” We finally make eye contact and her nostrils flare. I’ve gotten enough of her attention she’s now crossing her arms and leaning against the counter. Aha! I find my wallet and slide my license across the table to her. "I also will need to update my address.” I didn’t bother doing that when I moved since I knew I was getting an updated license soon.

“Present something with your current address, such as an energy bill or mortgage payment and I can do so.”

"Oh." I pretend to search my purse again, but I know it’s no use. Who carries those items with them? Someone who prepared, I guess.
 
Had I known any of this was required, trust me, I’d be standing here with a new license already. ”I didn’t bring any of that with me."

"Then I can't help you." She’s back to ignoring me.

"Please. I waited well over an hour."

"There's nothing I can do. Rules are rules." Her shoulders are stuck in a shrugging motion. What’s it like to be a person who works with others on a daily basis with such a horrible attitude? I never claimed to be the most cheerful gal, but when it comes to my job, I put all my crap aside and focus on my customer.
 

This figures. Just my luck. I check the time. They close at 4:45. I can’t make it home and back again before then. Not if I’m required to take a new number. "If I log onto my account from my phone and show you, can you accept that?”

She shakes her head. "No. I need to scan a copy."

"Come on.” I pedal my legs and take note of her name tag so I can curse her name.
Brenda.
“Can I email it to your computer?"

“Nope.” She pops the “p,” which only makes me want to punch her in the nose. She’s lucky I’m not big on confrontation. For a customer service representative, she sure isn’t offering much in the way of assistance.
 

"This is the digital age!" I tighten my eyes shut and scrub my hands over my face.
 

“Please keep your voice down,” she scolds me. “Might I suggest next time you do this
all
digitally?"

I think my eyes are about to pop out of my head. ”Wait? What do you mean?"

"You can do most of this online. If you check our website, all paperwork is available to print and the requirements for a driver’s license renewal and change of address are listed.”

Ugh! This information would have been useful to me yesterday, or even this morning. Learning this now does nothing to help my case, except build my hatred for
Brenda
even more. “So there's nothing you can do for me
today
? So I don’t have to take more time away from the office to come here
again
?” Play into her sympathetic side, if she has one, which I doubt.

"Not unless you present all the paperwork I mentioned.”

This lady is impossible. Where do they find these people? I assume there is a Most Horrible People Ever database somewhere. "Fine. Thanks for nothing."

I huff out of line, streamlining for the door. My phone rings as I push the door open and spill onto the sidewalk. "What?" I answer.
 

"Kate? It's Gary. Is everything okay?"

No, everything is
not
okay. After a horrid experience at the DMV I have to come back again. I misunderstood a kind gesture for flirtation. My butt is numb from sitting so long. This isn’t what he wants to hear, though. When people ask if everything is okay, they want you to answer yes so they can move onto the real topic of conversation. ”Everything is great, Gary. Thanks for asking. I had a few hang ups, so I thought maybe this was another one."

"Darn kids, right? Anyway, I hope I caught you at a good time."

"Yeah, yeah. Right now is perfect." I find my keys and get into the car, turning on the engine right away so I can turn on my seat heaters. Maybe the warm air will take the numbness out of my behind.

"I chatted with my clients for quite awhile last night. After much consideration, they've decided to make an offer — one I believe you will deem acceptable."

These words flip my frown into a grin and this entire trip no longer feels like a waste. I want to scream in joy, but instead jump up and down inside my car, shaking the vehicle, and pulling awkward stares from people inside the building and the few cautiously stepping past me. I don’t care.
Finally!
Over half a year on the market and this house will be
off
my hands. I can hardly believe it.

"That's wonderful, Gary! Thanks so much for calling and giving me the heads up. I'll wait for the offer and present it to my seller. As long as the purchase price is reasonable, I don't foresee any issues."

"I think you'll be pleased."

We disconnect and I press my phone into my chest, shrugging my shoulders to my ears. “Eek!” This deserves wine. Lots and lots of wine. And a double fudge brownie with chocolate ice cream. I know just who I want to share it with.
 

I swipe to my favorites and before my finger presses Kellan’s name, I stop short. He’s not my boyfriend anymore. When I have exciting news to share, he’s no longer the person I can go to. Kellan is the first person who comes to mind, and the only one I can’t call.
 

Friends are found in the oddest of places, and sometimes, they’re with people you never expected to share a closeness. After our first date, I never imagined me and Ned becoming so close. Our dates go down in history as epic fails, but the thing I didn’t realize is because we’re not couple material doesn’t mean we aren’t BFF material. I pictured Gretchen as the one I’d connect with, not the ponytail wielding ex-felon who owns a bowling alley. He’s been through a lot in his life and I appreciate his insight.
 

Ted’s in charge at the alley today, but the bowling bug hit me, so Ned agreed to meet me for a few games. Gary’s call sent me into a state of shock, excitement, and pure jubilation, and is cause for celebration. If calling Kellan is off the table, Ned is the only other one I want to share this with right now.
 

He’s a better bowler than I expected. I probably should have assumed he’d be awesome, considering he owns the alley, but for some reason the thought never crossed my mind. Since he’s not on a league, I never actually watched him play, so I never thought of him doing so. Out of sight, out of mind.
 

I win the first game, but he crushes me in the second.
Crushes me
. He scored double the points I did, and, I’ll admit, my pride is a little shattered.

My dad’s bowling ball gives me a newfound energy, empowers me. The ball spins down the lane in a slick, straight line, but no strikes.
 
This time Ned is taking it easy on me, though, as we’re pretty close in pins. He’s all set up for a turkey, but blows it last minute with a gutter ball. I’m doubtful he ever gets gutters. I’ll let him think I believe he had a bad frame, but I know different.
 

“How long until you can officially bid the house good riddance?” He hikes his sleeves up and flexes his muscles. He’s knows I’m not impressed.

“Not soon enough,” I sigh, trying not to let this next long process get me down. “Closing can take about two months from start to finish. An inspection needs to be done, lien waivers gathered, finalizing of the loan. The official date per the contract is the end of April.”

“Wow. I had no idea it took so long.”

“I just hope that all the financing goes through and that the inspection is sufficient. The tiniest thing can cause the buyers to pull their offer and then I’m back to the drawing board.” I can’t go through this again with Janice. If for some reason the Reinders back out, I may have to hand her off to another realtor. I doubt she would want to work with me again, anyway.

We reach the last frame and I’m winning, though only by a few pins. I’m okay with him letting me win. I’m here to have fun. I finish up my turn and sit at the scoring console while Ned goes.
 

“Have you heard from Kellan?” His voice rises to prepubescent levels as he sits next to me, resting his hands on his knees. We almost made it through the entire game without mention of him.

My mind needs a few delayed seconds to process each word. Have. I. Heard. From. Kellan. Question mark. No. Not once since I walked out on him. I wonder where he is right now. I haven’t even been able to bring myself to turn on Channel 13 since we broke up. The thought of his face plastered across the screen pains my heart. For all I know, he’s long gone and living life in North Carolina, enjoying the beaches and warmer weather. He left snow and tornadoes for hurricanes and sand.