Free The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) by Debbie Viguié Page A

Would that be the wrong thing to do?
    Wanna get back together?
    Maybe, she typed. It was a lame answer but it was the best way to draw out the conversation and give her time to think, and maybe get some answers from him.
    Why maybe?
    Why back together?
    Miss U.
    Miss U 2.
    Then why maybe?
    We want different things out of life.
    So?
    That makes things complicated.
    Complicated isn’t necessarily bad.
    No, but it’s . . . complicated.
    Candace stared at the screen, frustrated. This would be easier if they could talk face-to-face or at least over the phone. The texting was a buffer, though, for both of them. We probably need it, she thought.
    Do you love me?
    She jumped as she read his text. When they had been dating neither of them had even mentioned the L word to each other. Now he wanted her to answer without first declaring for himself. That had to be cheating.
    I care for you, she typed.
    Not the same thing.
    No, it’s not.
    So, you don’t love me?
    No, do you love me?
    I don’t know. Not sure what love is.
    At least that’s honest.
    {shrugs}
    So what’s the point?
    I don’t know . . . but I’d like to try again.
    A sudden suspicion filled her.
    Is this about your sister getting married?
    No. Why?
    You dumped me 10 min after telling me she was getting married. Now the wedding’s getting close and u wanna make up.
    Forget it.
    No . . . U started this.
    There was no reply. Candace waited for a full minute before asking the question she really wanted the answer to.
    Why did U break up with me?
    I can’t be the guy you want. I’ve tried, but I can’t.
    I’m sorry.
    Me 2.
    Kurt signed out, and Candace just stared at the screen. This was what closure felt like, and it felt rotten. She closed the window and saw the conversation she’d been having with Josh. His status indicated he was still on line.
    Still there?
    Always. U OK?
    I think it’s over over with Kurt.
    Sorry or congratulations?
    Both, I think.
    Then consider yourself commiserated with and congratulated.
    Will do.
    Need me 2 come over?
    Yes, but I should go 2 bed instead.
    Cool enough. C U tomorrow.
    Hasta.
    Ciao.

8
    Candace arrived at The Zone and stared at the sea of green that greeted her. All the referees were wearing green shirts. Most of the players wore green as well. In case anyone didn’t have enough green, the shops sold green T-shirts, green baseball hats, plastic hats, and shamrock jewelry and buttons galore.
    Mascots dressed as leprechauns handed out gold-colored coins. The coins could be used to buy things throughout the park. In order to get one, players had to solve a riddle posed to them by a leprechaun.
    She made it to the costume warehouse and managed to snag a shirt. She was wearing a green tank top just in case. The last thing she wanted was to be pinched on her way to the costume warehouse.
    Wearing an official green-striped ref shirt, she stowed her stuff in the Locker Room and headed for the Candy Counter. She slowed as she approached. Standing in front of the door, arms crossed over her chest, was Lisa.
    Candace briefly considered trying to slip past, but there was no way the other girl wasn’t waiting for her. Candace took a deep breath and halted three feet away.
    “Hello, Lisa.”
    “Candace.”
    “What do you want?”
    “I want you out of my way.”
    “From where I’m standing, you’re the one blocking the entrance.”
    “I’m talking about Kurt,” Lisa said, eyes blazing.
    “Look, Kurt and I have broken up. What more could you possibly want?”
    “Your head on a silver platter.”
    “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not John the Baptist.”
    “What?”
    “Never mind,” Candace muttered. “Look, it’s over, he’s free. Have at him.”
    “He’s still in love with you.”
    “No, he’s not,” Candace fumed. “And even if he were, that wouldn’t be my fault. Maybe instead of spending all your energy harassing me, you should spend a little bit on trying to win him over.”
    She stepped forward, every