November 20, Wednesday

"But you’re not leaving, right?" Kelly asked, sliding another perfect waffle onto my plate. The kitchen smelled of vanilla and warm butter. Early morning sunlight turned her auburn hair to copper.

I poked at my breakfast, watching maple syrup pool in the waffle's honeycomb pattern. "I have to rewrite the ending of my book. And besides..." I sighed, thinking of my dwindling bank account. "There's a pretty steep penalty if I break the lease before six months."

"Good." Kelly settled into the chair across from me, adding a generous dollop of whipped cream to her own waffle. "I mean, not good about the penalty, but... I'd miss you. The house would miss you."

"The house?"

"It feels different with you here. More alive." She gestured with her fork. "Even Satan's happier. Though that might have more to do with all the treats you sneak him."

I smiled, caught. "He's very persuasive."

"Speaking of persuasive..." Kelly's eyes twinkled. "I suspect a certain stonemason would be devastated if you left. I saw his truck here all weekend."

Heat crept up my neck. "We were just—"

"Watching old movies? Playing Monopoly?" She grinned. "The whole town's talking about how Sawyer smiles all the time. Even Uncle Pete noticed, and he barely notices anything."

"He does have a nice smile," I admitted, thinking of how Sawyer's whole face transformed when he laughed.

"Nice everything," Kelly agreed, then laughed at my expression. "What? I'm not blind. Though honestly?" Her voice softened. "The way he looks at you... that's the nicest thing about him."

I busied myself with my waffle, trying to hide how much her words affected me. "It's complicated."

"Because of him and Rose?"

My fork clattered against the plate. "You know about that?"

Kelly shrugged. "Small town. People talk. Especially about the Whispers." She reached across the table to squeeze my hand. "But that was years ago, Jo. And you're nothing like her."

"No?"

"Rose was... fragile. Like she was made of spun glass. Beautiful, but you were always afraid she'd shatter if you touched her. Plus she was difficult… and moody." Kelly topped off our coffee cups. "You're different. Stronger. More real."

Steam rose from my coffee in delicate spirals as I considered her words. "Sometimes I don't feel very strong."

"Are you kidding? You're living in a house that half the town thinks is haunted, and you're still writing your books. You're fighting back against your ex." She smiled. "That's not just strong, that's badass."

I laughed, warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with coffee. "Thanks, Kelly."

"Anytime." She started gathering plates. "Now, what are you going to do about your ending?"

"I don't know." I cradled my coffee cup, letting its warmth seep into my hands. "The original ending was perfect—Lady Kate and Lord Stonecraft finally trusting each other with their secrets, choosing love over fear..."

"So write something better." Kelly's eyes sparkled. "Something so amazing it makes the original look like a first draft."

I thought about Curtis, about his smug certainty that he could destroy everything I'd built. About Sawyer, who made me believe in second chances. About Irving, with all its mysteries and magic and unexpected friendships.

"You know what?" I set down my cup. "Maybe I will."

After all, I was living proof that sometimes the best stories took unexpected turns.  ~