Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Ethan, Nash, and Dare looked ready to throttle their bratty sister, but Annie, being Annie, couldn’t stop her good-natured laughter, which calmed the brothers down.
The men gathered next for the garter throw, but Cara couldn’t bring herself to watch. Instead, she tapped Alexa on the shoulder and asked her friend to say good-bye to the couple for her. She’d had enough happiness shoved at her for the day, and her feet ached like crazy. She’d long since pulled off her high heels, and she held the stilettos in her hand as she made her way to the door. She’d put them on at the exit before she had to head outside.
Reaching the door, she leaned against the wall and was in the process of shoving her hurting feet back into their torture chambers when she felt a hand touch her shoulder.
“Can we talk?” Mike asked.
She turned and looked into his somber brown eyes, and her stomach plummeted toward the floor. She might have been preparing herself to end things with him herself, but his bleak expression told her not to bother. He’d have been doing it anyway.
That quickly, whatever hope lingered from the bubble of happiness she’d let herself live in finally popped, leaving her with the painful reality that was her life. And reality, Cara thought, really sucked.
Cara followed Mike to his apartment, promising herself their talk would be quick and she’d be on her way back to her apartment in no time. Alone.
“Let’s sit,” Mike said, gesturing toward the couch.
Cara lowered herself onto the sofa. Her new position gave her a perfect view of the bedroom corner of the apartment, where a suitcase sat open on the bed.
Her stomach cramped, but she said nothing. He’d asked to talk, and she’d let him begin. She’d focus on getting through this without falling apart.
He settled in beside her, careful not to touch her. The cool distance between them was reminiscent of the early days when he’d come back to Serendipity, and her heart hurt at the distance between them. For all they’d had and suddenly lost.
She couldn’t help it. She had to ask. “What happened?” Last time she’d seen him, he’d kissed her in his office, told her he needed her after everything that had gone on within his family. Next thing she knew . . . dead silence.
“Simon’s retiring,” Mike said.
Of everything, she hadn’t expected that.
“And he asked me to take the job. For good.”
She blinked. “That must have thrown you. When did he tell you this?”
He looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “Saturday afternoon.”
With his answer, a yawning, cavernous pit opened inside her. “And that’s why I haven’t heard from you.”
He had the good grace to at least look embarrassed.
Cara sighed. “I take it you turned him down?”
“I told him I’d think about it.” He shrugged out of his suit jacket and laid it over a chair, then undid his tie so it hung loose around his neck. His top button followed, leaving him with an extremely sexy, rumpled look that tugged at her heart.
Hardening herself toward him was hard, but she couldn’t afford to feel bad because he looked so torn. “Why didn’t you just tell him the truth? That you don’t want to stay here? You never wanted to be here in the first place.”
“Because I don’t know if that’s true!” He spun away and walked to the window.
She’d never seen Mike look so torn, so unsure. Unable to help herself, she rose and joined him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You told me yourself, you were here while Simon needed you. He’s in remission. He’s retiring. You can go back to the life you love and leave this small town and all of us behind. Like before.”
Cara was proud that her voice didn’t crack.
“I didn’t count on you,” he said quietly.
“What?”
He placed a hand on hers and turned. “You heard me. I didn’t count on you. And when I tell you I’m not sure what I want to do, I mean it. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
His hands slipped to her waist, burning her with his touch. “Yes, you can,” Cara told him. “Or that suitcase wouldn’t be packed.” She stepped out of reach, knowing she was close to shattering.
“I just need time,” he said, his voice pleading with her to understand.
“You’ve been nothing but honest with me, so let’s not start sugarcoating things now. Actions speak louder than words, but together? They send a potent message.” Her shoulders shook, but she continued. “You’re leaving just like you always said you would. This was short term and I knew it. Shame on me for falling harder and hoping for more.” She turned away, unable to believe she’d admitted her feelings. “Take care,” she said, almost running for the door.
“Cara, wait.”