Remember Love Read Free Page A

red, aren’t you?"
    "That is
absolutely none of your business." The muscles at the back of her neck
tightened. "So you’re here for the reunion. Why’d you come to the store?
You've made it clear you don't want anything to do with me."
    Alec stepped away
from her. It was as if a mask slid over his features, exposing him for the
stranger he now was. "Business brings me to town and curiosity brought me
to your store."
    The doorbell
jingled. Katrina exhaled with relief. Sharon, former schoolmate turned
employee, stepped into the store, her heels clicking against the entryway
tiles. The door shut behind her.
    Now was the time
to get rid of Alec, before the emotions rocketing through her combusted. "Did
you get to the bank before it closed?"
    Wordlessly,
Sharon stared at the back of Alec's head. He pivoted as Katrina slid out from
behind the counter. Sharon’s quiet eyes widened with shock.
    "Alec
Munroe? Wow, it’s been forever." Sharon broke into a rare grin, no doubt
prompted by memories of a happier time in her life.
    "Hey,
Sharon. How are you?" Alec shifted toward her, and she flinched.
    Katrina frowned.
    Sharon
straightened, and Katrina wondered if she’d imagined her friend’s cringe. "I
have three little ones at home now. You’re here for the reunion?"
    "Among other
things." Alec’s gaze flicked over Katrina.
    An erratic beat
pounded at the base of her skull. Alec needed to leave now, before Sharon
mentioned Joey. "I think Alec is leaving."
    His face
tightened at her tone. "Kicking me out of your shop, Katrina? That’s real
Christian of you and exactly what I'd expect."
    Cheeks burning,
she looked away. She couldn’t blame him for the hurt she saw in his eyes. The
girl he’d known had been both selfish and self-righteous. 
    "I'm sorry."
For more than he knew. But it didn't excuse his part in this. She wasn't the
only one who'd been selfish. Biting back her anguish, she hurled him a hard
stare. "You shouldn't have sent back my letters."
    For a second, his
face changed. The slightest flicker in the muscles of his forehead before his
jaw hardened. Had that been surprise? She searched his features, allowing
herself to drink in more than she should. Just one long look before he left and
she never saw him again.
    "Maybe I
should head to the office," Sharon said, her soft voice sliding between
their tension and interrupting Katrina's perusal. Sharon held out the bank
receipt she'd been holding.
    "You're
fine." Blinking, Katrina took the paper and stepped to the front door. She
opened it. "Alec is on his way out."
    He moved forward,
as if to leave, but before walking through the door, he stopped. His gaze bore
into her and she couldn't find the will to look away. The scent of his cologne
engulfed her, tempted her. "We need to talk, Kitty. Have dinner with me."
    He stood in front
of her, handsome, intent, but the only thing Katrina could feel was acid fear
burning in her chest.
    Soon enough, he’d
find out about Joey. When he did, he would loathe her. Because keeping Joey
from him had been more than unchristian. It had been cruel and selfish. Now
Joey was gone and she could never make things right.
    For anyone.
    Throat burning
with unshed tears, she looked away from Alec's scrutiny. "I don’t think
dinner is a good idea. I’ll see you tomorrow at the reunion." 
    His hand came up
and touched her cheek so quickly she didn’t have time to move away. His fingers
were warm, more gentle than she expected. The touch pulled her into the past,
reminded her of their shared history.
    And their shared
loss.
    Her shoulders
slumped.
    "Don’t look
so sad," he said quietly. "I might see you before then."

CHAPTER
TWO
    The door jingled
as Alec slipped out, dark hair gleaming in the afternoon sun.
    "Alec is
looking well." Sharon walked over to where Katrina stood and peered out
the window, watching the motorcycle disappear down Main Street. She sniffed. "Smells
good."
    "He still
wears Cool Water," Katrina said, absentmindedly