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“No, you shouldn’t,” Chloe said, pulling me out of my memory and causing me to backtrack to try and remember what she was talking about.
Oh, right, not taking the cold shoulder Dillon had been giving me personally.
I took a deep breath and let it out. I’d vowed to be stronger, kinder, more patient, and to always stick up for myself. After four years of being my ex-boyfriend Travis’s verbal whipping post, I was putting myself first and surrounding myself with positive people.
So what if Dillon thought I was still the same mouthy brat with crooked pigtails and a penchant for mischief. If he couldn’t see that I’d changed and let bygones go so that we could at least be friends now, then that was his loss.
I’d been back in Cherry Springs for almost a year now, and I was happy. It was my home, and soon, it would be the place where I ran my business. I had great friends, and although things weren’t great right now with my parents, I knew we’d get through it.
If Dillon wanted to help me with the business plan, then go back to pretending I didn’t exist, then I’d just have to live with that.
“You both just need to get to know who you are now, and maybe he’ll forget the pink underwear and the other pranks. He and Jasmine are really close now, so…”
I nodded, hoping she was right. Even if I knew Dillon would never fall in love with me, marry me and have babies with me, like I’d always dreamed, I’d still like to have him in my life in a positive way.
“Okay, I can do this,” I assured her, causing her to smile. Then, needing to change the subject, I asked, “How are things with you and Reardon?”
“Amazing,” Chloe gushed, her hand automatically going to rest on her baby bump. “We’ve decided it’s time to move in together.”
“Yay, really? Where to? Yours, his, or a bigger place?”
“A bigger place. We’re staying in Copper Woods, since Chris has friends there, but getting a place with office space for both of us and rooms for the kids. It’ll be ready next week.”
“That’s so great,” I said, meaning it, as I appreciated the gleam of the engagement ring on her finger. “Does that mean you’ve set a date?”
“Not yet,” Chloe said, this time the one who was sighing. “I promised Reardon we would do it before the baby comes, but now that we’re moving, I kind of want to get that finished before we worry about a wedding. Although, I don’t want anything big. Just a simple ceremony with our friends and family in attendance.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“And, I was kind of hoping to be your first client.”
“Really?” I cried, not bothering to contain my excitement. She was my friend and employee, after all; I’d save my professional, not jumping up and down, face for clients who were strangers.
“Yes, really, of course it has to be you.”
“Then I guess I’d better pull up my big girl pants and head to my meeting with Dillon. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”
3
Dillon
I felt marginally better now that I showered and unpacked my things, but was still feeling a little weary from traveling. Vowing to not stay in the office past eight, so I could finally get a good night’s sleep in my own bed, I lifted my chin to Carol in greeting, and headed into my office.
With my mind intent on firing up my computer and getting through some emails before my appointment, I didn’t register the leggy blonde sitting in the chair at my desk until she stood up quickly, and had to hold onto the edge of the desk to keep from falling over.
“Sorry, I’m a little early, but Carol said it was okay if I waited in here…”
I tried to hold back my scowl, but figured I’d failed when I saw Laurel’s hopeful expression turn apprehensive as she watched me move behind my desk and sit down.
I didn’t like the idea of Laurel being in my office without me; for all I knew she’d planted booby traps for me to fall into at inopportune times.
After a few seconds of her wary eyes on me, I began to grow frustrated, not just because she’d showed up early and ruined my plans for catching up, but because she was looking at me like I was going to bite her.
“Have a seat,” I said, the words coming out a little harsher than I’d intended.
Laurel fell into the chair and shifted back, fidgeting and wringing her hands like a frightened rabbit, and I let out a sigh.
“Let’s
