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Chapter Fifteen

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Allison held her wine glass halfway to her lips. “You don’t look good.”

Just because she felt like bawling her eyes out and screaming didn’t mean she wasn’t fine. Anyone in her shoes would be hysterical. Tobias, the only man she’d ever truly loved now belonged to a blonde who had less sense than flattened road kill. Tori took a shaky breath.

“Stop staring at me. I’m just a bit overwhelmed at the idea of the whole wedding thing.”

“You should have told him how you feel. Maybe he wouldn’t have gotten married.” Allison took a sip of wine and slid a look to the couch where Taylor was. He’d been watching a movie but, by his soft snores, he didn’t find it to be interesting.

Tori leaned forward and refilled her glass. “I couldn’t do that. We don’t get along. Just because you love someone doesn’t always mean you belong together. He made a choice to marry that woman, so he must be in love. He’s moved on.”

“True,” Allison replied with a sigh. “But I think he’s still in love with you.”

“There are different types of love,” Tori said and flipped her agenda open. “Let’s set a schedule for the next two weeks. We have a few things to accomplish before the book event that you volunteered me and Leah for.”

They talked for a few minutes and made plans. Allison called Leah and had her on speakerphone as they set a schedule for the event that was to take place at Tori’s restaurant. The distraction was good. For those few moments, she didn’t have to think about Tobias and what was happening in Las Vegas.

But her mind kept going back to what happened that day. Tobias was married now. It felt surreal.

Allison closed her agenda. “I feel good about our time table. I think the cake theme is so cool. I have a great recipe in mind for mine.”

Ding. Ding. Tori pulled out her cell phone and looked at the message. It was from Alec, the veterinarian.

She texted back that she’d call him in a few moments.

Just then, Taylor’s phone rang and he reached for it. “Yeah, what’s up?”

He sat up and looked over toward them. “Give me a second. I have questions.” He stood and stretched. Then with his phone to his ear, he went into the bedroom.

Allison watched him. “I wonder who’s calling him. He always gets the best gossip but doesn’t always share. I have to beg, borrow and steal to get him to tell me anything.” Her friend’s brow crinkled as she continued to look toward the bedroom.

“You are so nosy,” Tori teased. “It’s probably something only guys would find interesting.”

“That’s true,” Allison said with a giggle. “If it’s one of his cousins, they only ever talk about cows and dogs. Sometimes they plan a get-together to do something exciting like grill hotdogs.” Allison’s flat tone was comical. Obviously, her friend didn’t consider the Hamiltons the most exciting family when planning gatherings.

An hour later, Tori walked into her place and lowered to the couch while calling Alec.

His voice was deep and soothing. Tori closed her eyes and envisioned his face. He was nice and definitely someone she could see dating long term.

“I want to see you again.”

Tori nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “I’d love to see you as well. What do you have in mind?”

“I can cook dinner if you wish?” There was hesitancy in his voice. “Or a movie would be cool, too.”

Tori made a decision. If she was going to move on, it was best to do so full-heartedly. “You know what? Dinner at your place sounds perfect. What time?”

Her phone dinged. It was Allison. She didn’t bother reading. This was the time to consider what to do and perhaps take some time for herself and make some decisions.

The book club was a good beginning. She’d also joined a local hiking group and was considering teaching cooking classes to local teens.

She went to the couch and began typing plans into her laptop. Things were going to change. Soon, she’d be too busy and satisfied with her own life to care what happened in other people’s lives.

The next daywent by fast. It was their busiest in a long time. People who were traveling through to go to the next town over for a conference stopped in Laurel Creek for lunch and dinner. The restaurant barely had a table empty as they seated more people. Whenever there was a short lull, Tori and Jessie took advantage and helped prep in the kitchen.

Just before the dinner rush, Tori stepped outside for a short break. She noticed Allison was also doing brisk business. Her flower shop always attracted the attention of visitors to Laurel Creek. Planters overflowing with bright flowers and hanging baskets with long, bright green vines spilling over their sides made an inviting entrance to the shop.

Down the street, the café’s door was open as a group of people entered. Just then, two couples came to the restaurant and Tori followed them in. Three more hours and she’d be free to head home.