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Rolling mine, I dropped back in the chair. “It doesn’t matter. She told Wes she wanted him back.”
“Then why is the boy calling you multiple times a day, Clare?” Mom asked. “Why won’t you at least talk to him?”
“Because, Mom,” I said as I stood. “I don’t want to hear him tell me he’s back with her. I don’t want to hear him tell me how sorry he is, or how happy he is that he got her back. I don’t think I could take that. I...I…” Squeezing my eyes shut, I softly said, “I let myself fall in love with him.”
“Clare bear,” Daddy whispered as he took my hand in his.
When I finally opened my eyes, both of my parents were looking at me. “I don’t want to see or talk to him because it’s just going to hurt.”
“May I offer you a piece of advice?” Dad asked.
“Yes.”
“Talk to him, Clare. If you don’t, you’ll regret it the rest of your life.”
“We don’t have anything to talk about, Daddy.”
My father looked at my mother, who slowly let out a sigh. “I’m going to side with your father, Clare. Talk to him.”
I slowly shook my head. “I didn’t realize I was in love with him until I saw him kissing Mandy. The pain I felt in my chest.” I rubbed at the still-present ache. “I don’t want to feel it again.”
My father went to talk, and I quickly stood. “Please, Mom and Dad, I don’t want to talk about Wes anymore. I’m going to go to the store and stock you up on some food. Text me if you want anything specific.”
Before they could say a word, I grabbed my coat and purse and hurried out of the house.
• • •
“Hi, Clare!” Ruby said as I walked up to the counter to place my order. “Chai frap with soy no whip?”
I nodded. “I’m that boring, am I?”
Ruby winked. “Christmas is in a week, any plans?”
“No, not really. My parents were supposed to go out of town, but they were in an accident. They’re okay now, but they want to keep things quiet. What about you?”
“I’m spending Christmas Eve with my boyfriend and his family. Then I’ll be with my family, of course, on Christmas Day. Rich is going to join me. He loves my family!”
Smiling, I tapped my phone to pay for my tea. “That’s nice.”
“Here you go, Clare!” Todd said as he set my chai frap on the counter.
“Thanks!” I replied as I got my drink and headed out the door calling out, “See you guys tomorrow.”
Snow was lightly falling, and I could have taken an Uber or taxi to work, but my favorite coffee shop was only a block away, and I needed the fresh air. Once I was at work, warmed up and settled at my desk, I stared at my computer screen. It had been two weeks since I’d last seen or even spoken to Wes. I hadn’t seen Rory at all because I was worried I’d see Wes, and I wasn’t ready to pretend like I was okay.
“Clare?”
I looked up to see Autumn standing in the doorway of my office. Quickly standing and making my way around the desk, I held out my arms. “Autumn! What in the world are you doing here?”
We hugged and I motioned for her to sit down in one of the two chairs in front of my desk.
“Rory and I have been worried about you.”
Raising my brows, I asked, “Why?”
Autumn gave me a look that screamedreally? “Your parents’ accident. And Rory said she thinks something happened between you and Wes.”
I tried not to react to his name.
