A week passed. Then two. Three. A month. Kevin stopped visiting Vivian at Enid’s Garden every day, stopping by early in the mornings to bring coffee and a bagel to his grandmother. “When do you leave, baby?” Enid asked early one morning as the two indulged in quiet conversation and each other’s company.

 

“Tomorrow morning. The movers have already loaded most of my stuff. I only have a few little things left to pack,” Kevin replied.

 

“I wish you’d stay, Kevin. I’ve enjoyed having you around these past few months more than you’ll ever realize.”

Kevin kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “I know, Gram. I love you. And I promise I’ll come back to visit more often.” Enid patted his cheek. “I got to go, Gram. I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“Love you,” Enid called after him as he walked out the door.

 

Not two minutes later, Taryn and Vivian arrived for work. “Why won’t you talk to him, Viv? He honestly loves you! Can’t you see that?” Taryn inquired as they walked in.

 

“He betrayed me, Taryn,” Vivian answered. “And what makes it even worse is that you helped him!”

 

“But you still love him,” Enid added from her stool behind the counter. “And he, although I can’t see why, undoubtedly still loves you.”

 

“How would you know, Enid? Are you working on his scams with him too? Am I being set up by everyone I hold dear?” Vivian snapped.

 

“He’s my grandson, Viv.” Taryn and Vivian stood there speechless. “He hurt you. I understand that. But you hurt him too by telling him you loved this mystery man and couldn’t be with him only to throw it in his face when he confessed his secret to you.” Enid paused. “Kevin doesn’t fall in love easily so there must be something special about you. But when he falls, he falls hard. And when he’s hurt, the scars take a long time to heal. My advice to you, Vivian Sloan, is to search your heart for what is right. But don’t wait too long. He’s leaving tomorrow.” With that Enid climbed off her stool and headed toward the back to unload a box of Mother’s Day coffee mugs that had arrived the previous morning.

 

Taryn grabbed Vivian by the shoulders and spun her so they looked eye to eye. “Don’t let him get away. You bruise easily too, you know. And it takes you a long time to heal. Just look at Ben. Kevin brought out the life in you. Even if it was through deceiving means.” She shoved Vivian toward the door. “Go. You owe it to the both of you.”

 

Vivian gazed at her friend through tear-laden eyes. “Just like that? Forgive him so easily?”

 

“He’d do it for you. That’s what love is.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

A gentle rap sounded at Kevin’s door as he loaded the last of his books into a sturdy cardboard box. A small gasp left his lips when he opened it and saw Vivian standing on the other side. “What are you doing here,” he asked.

 

Vivian took a step forward. Kevin took a step back. She swallowed nervously. “I should be mad at you for the rest of my life. But love makes people do strange things. So please, forgive me.” She lunged at him and embraced him tightly, her lips crushing against his. Kevin resisted for only a moment before succumbing to the searing intensity of her kiss. “I’m sorry, Kevin,” Vivian mumbled against his lips. “I’m so sorry.”

 

“Less talking. More kissing,” Kevin mumbled back, scooping Vivian up into his arms. Their mouths still ravenously feasting on each other, Kevin carried Vivian to the bed room, kicking the door shut behind them.