Page 18 of Baby, It’s Hot Inside

“Brock. I just left his place. He texted me after you left this morning and we just got back together.” She pushes her glossy hair behind her shoulder. “I know you were with him last night.” Another breathy chuckle. “He was trying to prove a point to me. Trying to make me jealous. I just left his place about an hour ago. Don’t you love all the exposed bricks in his apartment. It’s just so European.”

This brings me to my feet. She’s been in his apartment. She’s not lying about that. My heart is pounding, echoing in my ears with a whoosh-whoosh sound. “And you and him are back together?”

She frowns then gives me a patronizing grin. “You didn’t think he’d really pick you, did you?” Her manicured hand settles on her chest to finger the diamond pendant. “Oh, you did. I’m so sorry.” She pats my hand with mock compassion, and I want to claw her eyes out.

My stomach is churning and I kinda want to throw up. I force a laugh out and I’m pleased it doesn’t sound fake. “Last night meant nothing to me. It was just sex.” I’m surprised I can even say those words because last night was so much more. “So if you want Brock, you can have him.” I drop the tangle of lights and pick up the clipboard my mom handed me earlier. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a list longer than my arm to tackle to make sure tonight’s lighting goes off without a hitch.” Then I walk away, holding my breath to keep my tears at bay. I barely make it into the bathroom at the bakery across the street before the tears burst through.

I should have known. I’m such a fool, thinking Brock would actually pick me. He could have any woman in this town. Even if Chelsea wasn’t in play.

I grab my phone.

Me: Just saw Chelsea, she said she’s back with Brock.

Annie: She’s a damn liar and a skank.

Me: You don’t know any of that. She knew what his apartment looks like, Annie. I knew this was too good to be true. Glad I found out before my heart was involved.

But the rate that my tears are falling tells me that my heart is more involved that I would like. Damn, damn, damn.

chapter ten

Brock

I’ve seen glimpses of Ginger since I arrived at the town square, but every time I try to reach her, she disappears. I’m not sure what’s going on. When I finally make my way over to her, she won’t look at me. Instead she keeps her focus on the task of weaving lights through a small sage bush.

“Hey.” I lean over to kiss her and she shifts so that I end up colliding with her cheek.

“Hi.” Her voice is clipped and cold.

“Do you need any help?”

She glances at me briefly and there’s no warmth in her gaze.

What the hell is happening?

“I’ve got things under control here, but they probably could use help stringing the lights in the trees. I don’t do ladders so I’m working the shrubs.”

“Sure. Hey, are we okay?”

“Why wouldn’t we be?”

“I don’t know.”

She nods toward the trees. “You can ask my dad over there what needs to be done. My mom isn’t letting him climb any ladders today.”

“Yeah, I’ll go do that.” I walk off and I’m confused as hell. I’ve got a knot in my stomach and my hands are sweating despite the pleasant breeze blowing today. We had an amazing time last night. We texted earlier in the day and she seemed fine. But now, something is definitely off. I go find her dad as she suggested and get to work on one of the trees. But an hour later when I see Ginger’s friend Annie walking around, I climb down and jog over to her.

“Hey, Annie.”

She looks up and grins. “Hey Brock. Welcome back.”

“Yeah, thanks.” I rub at the back of my neck. “Did Ginger talk to you about anything? About me?”

She frowns for a moment then tilts her head. “Did she ask you about Chelsea?”

“Chelsea? What the hell does she have to do with anything?”

“Chelsea came and told Ginger that the two of you were back together. She made it clear she’d been at your place this morning. Said you were using Ginger to make Chelsea jealous.”