“Be patient with her.If she loves you, she’ll come around.And Riley—” She put her hand on his arm.“I believe she does.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”What else could he do, though?He had to wait and hope she’d realize she loved him enough to get past whatever was stopping her from being with him.
Or she wouldn’t and he’d have to figure out a way to live without her.
*
Letty knew shehad nothing to complain about.It had been her idea in the first place for her and Riley to break up after New Year’s.Of course, it had been Riley who’d broken things off before that.
She wasn’t going to let it bother her.She’d go on just as she’d always done.Independently.She didn’t need a man to make her life complete.Even if the man in question was a smart, gorgeous cowboy who was amazingly sweet.Or had been until she’d broken his heart.
Two days after Christmas she went back to work.She had the time off but decided she might as well cover for another librarian who had a family to go home to.Hardly anyone came in and short of reorganizing shelves that didn’t need it, not to mention, the other librarians wouldn’t know where anything was if she did that, she had nothing to do.She tried to read but not even one of Cici’s thrillers could hold her interest.Mostly she sat and tried not to think about Riley.
Then Val came in.Uh-oh, Letty thought.One look at her best friend and she knew three things.Val had talked to Riley, she knew they’d broken up, and she was loaded for bear.
“What is wrong with you?”Val asked.
“Hello to you too.Want to clue me in on what you’re so pissed about?”
“Like you don’t know.Why did you break up with Riley?”
“Technically, he broke up with me.But it was a mutual decision.And absolutely none of your business.”
“He’s my brother and you’re my best friend.That makes it my business.”
“Look, Val, it was fun.It was never intended to be serious.”Did that sound as thoughtless to her friend as it did in her head?
“Bullshit.You broke him, Letty.”
Letty stared at her.“You’re wrong.He might be…upset right now but Riley is fine.”
“If you call being absolutely miserable fine, then sure.He’s just dandy.”
“Riley knew when we started this that it was just a fling.He’s the one who decided to end it.”Even though if he hadn’t ended it when he did, she’d have had to break up at New Year’s.
“I don’t think he sees it as a fling.He told Mom he wanted to marry you, but you wouldn’t.Is that true?”
“He might have mentioned marriage but I don’t believe he meant it.”And that was a big ol’ lie.“Your mother must have misunderstood.”
Val studied her critically.“No offense, but you pretty much look like shit.Apparently you’re not happy about the breakup either.”
“We were getting too serious.I can’t, Val.I just can’t.”
“Are you saying you can’t get serious with Riley, or you can’t do it with anyone?”
“I’m working, Val.I’m not getting into this with you.”
“I don’t understand you, but I know when you get this way you won’t talk.So I’ll drop it.”She didn’t add ‘for now’ but it was implied.“Are you going to Logan and Cici’s housewarming holiday party tonight?”
Crap.She’d forgotten about that.Much as she didn’t feel like partying she knew she had to go.“I’ll be there but I probably won’t stay long.”Especially if Riley was there.Which he would be.
Why hadn’t she considered how awkward it was going to be once she and Riley broke up?
Because at the time you wanted him.Badly.You weren’t thinking about the future.
*
The last thingRiley wanted to do was go to a party, but he was stuck.Logan and Cici were friends of his and he’d already said he’d come.Of course, when he said he’d come, he’d thought he’d be bringing Letty.
