Dave was slowly walking through the isles of the grocery store listening to the clacking of the wheels going over the floor. Playing over the loud speakers was classical music, of which he tuned in and out of as he looked down at his list every so often. He was just about done with his shopping when he accidently bumped his cart into someone else’s.
“I’m so sorry,” said Dave. “Wait, Elizabeth?”
“Um, it’s no worries. Is that you, Dave?”
“It’s been so long. Since high school, right? How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been good, very good. Just got out of work and wanted to get some essentials out of the way before the weekend. How’re you? I remember you always wanting to be a writer. How’d that work out for you?”
“You’ve got a great memory. I’ve got two novels out so far, which feels amazing to say aloud. For my day job I’m a history teacher if you believe it or not.”
“Don’t tell me you’re still going to Mooney High?” She chuckled.
“Oh no,” he replied, a smile curling from ear to ear. “I had enough of that place a long time ago. I’m over at the middle school right on the county line. It’s been a lot of fun, I can’t say enough about it. History was always my second passion and it’s nice to concentrate on things that actually happened when I’m not working on a new fiction story. How about you? If I remember correctly you wanted to be a ballet dancer?”
“Now looks who has the great memory. That’s right. I’m actually teaching classes at the same place I took lessons as a little girl. It’s so much fun. I get to work with kids the same age as the ones you’re teaching.”
“It’s so funny running into you here. Sounds like we’ve both landed in similar fields, albeit different classes.”
“It really is. Last I saw you was when, well, we decided to end things the summer before college started. I miss those days.”
“Now you’ve got me thinking about all those summer nights we spent watching the sunset on the beach. With the fire crackling and the sea air. We both landed where we were meant to be,” he shook his head, “although I do regret having made that decision.”
“Long distance relationships are tough, or so they say. Who knows what would’ve happened. We made a choice and look at us now, shopping on a Friday for,” she peered into his cart, “canned chili and baked beans.”
“Hey now, I’ve got a bag of fresh lettuce here too,” replied Dave. “How about we grab a drink this weekend? I’d love to catch up and talk about the old days.”
“Is it a date?” She tucked her hair back behind her ear.
“I sure hope so.” He looked to the floor after the words left his lips.
Elizabeth laughed.
“I’d love to.”
If you enjoyed this story and are looking for more I currently have an ongoing serial on Kindle Vella. “One Town Over” is a small town contemporary romance set in the fictional town of Peak Creek (one town over from Brooks Landing where “The Centennial Courtship” takes place).
If you’re looking for a new romance to put on your Kindle “The Centennial Courtship” is now available for both Kindle and Kindle Vella!
Abigail Bloom's life is thrown into a sweeping romance when a new deputy rolls into the small town of Brooks Landing, but when her ex-husband enters back into her life, she's unsure if she can hold onto her new chance at true love. A break-in in the small town causes Abigail's ex to suspect the new deputy - Can she trust her new love interest or is he using her as an alibi?