Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Absolutely. You can even have the guest room for as long as you need it.”
“Thank you, Nix.”
“Not necessary. How about a cookie or is it too soon?”
Her perfectly sculpted brows shot up. “Got any brownies?”
“Make that three brownies.” Another familiar face appeared in my view and I gasped at the sight of another lifelong friend.
“Kayla! Or should I call you Dr. Stevens now?”
Her cheeks blushed a bright shade of pink. “You finally can! I finished my residency and passed my boards so I’m officially Dr. Stevens.”
A round of excited squeals went around followed by a round of hugs and congratulations. “I’m so happy to see you ladies.” This was a bright spot in an otherwise bleak holiday season. “You came at just the right time.”
Both women sent me confused looks but it was Torey who filled them in on my ill-fated romance. “And now you’re all caught up.”
I rolled my eyes. “She forgot to mention that she’s friends with Lancaster. The rock star.”
“Wow,” Rob grinned. “A billionaire and a rock star? Maybe moving back home won’t be so bad after all.” She grabbed me by the shoulders, her jade green eyes studied me carefully. “So you’re one of those women who looks absolutely stunning during heartbreak? Flawless skin, clear eyes and this glow that just screams look at me! It’s truly unfair.”
“Says the perfect genetic specimen,” I groaned and waved off her compliment.
“Yeah well, look where that got me. Right back where I started.” She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“And where everyone adores you. Welcome home, to both of you!” It would be nice to have the whole gang together again. More friends meant more activities, more girls’ nights and a lot less free time to obsess about something that wasn’t to be.
More than an hour later, the winners of the snowman building contest were announced and less than ten minutes later the park was mostly empty. Thank goodness. I’d had about all I could take of my phony smile and holiday cheer. I had about an hour to be miserable and grouchy while I packed up the tent, cocoa dispensers, cups and the few leftover sweet treats, and returned them all to the bakery.
“If I help we’ll be done in half the time.” Torey grabbed the plastic containers with a grunt.
“Nope. You have plenty to do before you head to my house. I got this.”
She flashed me a look of sympathy that I hated but accepted. “You sure?”
“Yep. See you soon.” I packed up the cart and pushed it through the park until I arrived at the bakery. I took my time putting everything away, wiping down countertops and tables, and making sure everything was prepped for tomorrow. The quiet inside the bakery was addictive and I spent more time there than I should have before my alarm sounded a reminder that I had guests arriving at my house any day now.
I locked up the bakery and tracked a path back through the park to my car where I found Lee waiting for me. And dammit he looked gorgeous and casual in jeans and a peacoat, and a couple days of scruff. “Lee, how can I help you?”
He sighed heavily, a look of disappointment on his beautiful face. “I was hoping that we could talk.”
I shook my head as the urge to cry welled up inside of me. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”
Lee took a step forward and I took a step back. “Nix, please.”
“Oh, there you are!” Torey, my best friend in the whole world, arrived just in time. “What are you still doing here?” She turned and noticed Lee, saying something to him that I couldn’t hear, mostly because I made a quick getaway, slipping behind the steering wheel and hightailing it out before his wicked smile could convince me to hear him out.
There was no reason.
There was nothing to talk about. I repeated those six words over and over on the drive home until I believed it.
A quick look in the rearview mirror put a smile on my face. Torey was giving Lee a good talking to, which he totally deserved.
“Doesn’t matter, it’s old news. He tried and he failed, mission over.” I had to my game face back on, ready to greet my friends and fill our bellies with incredible food and plenty of wine.
A lot of wine.
Chapter 16
Lee
Torey stood in between me and Nix with her hand on my chest while I watched the woman who had captured my heart rush away from me as quickly as she possibly could. I was annoyed and angry, and before me was a willing target. “Look Torey, I get you don’t like me. I was an asshole but I’m trying to fix it.” I took a step to the side, away from her bony finger.