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“Last night. I’m staying at a bed and breakfast two miles down the road.”
I looked over and noticed a group of people inside the house staring at us from the window.
“What’s the name of the place?” he asked.
“The Bainbridge Inn,” I answered, still focused on the window.
“We need to talk,” he said. “I’ll meet you there later.”
“I guess I don’t need to ask why you’re not inviting me in. Not sure there’s anything left to say. Honestly, I should just go back to the States, Leo.” My eyes began to well up.
“Please don’t leave Westfordshire.” His tone was urgent. “At least not until we’ve had a chance to talk properly in private, all right?”
Just then the door opened. An attractive woman around my age stood in the doorway. She wore a pink dress that accentuated her tiny waist. Her hair was blond, pin straight, and cut to just above her shoulders. Based on her look of disdain, it didn’t take much to figure out who this was.
She looked me up and down. “What’s going on here?”
Leo opened his mouth, but I didn’t give him the chance to respond.
“Nothing,” I said, straightening my posture and feigning a smile. “I’m an old friend of Leo’s. I met him when he was visiting the States years ago and thought I would come say hello while I was here visiting England. I would’ve called, but I left my phone at the place I’m staying. Also, stupid me didn’t realize I needed an appointment. I made a bit of a ruckus with your security people. Leo came out when he heard the racket.”
Her eyes moved between the two of us. “I see,” she said, looking skeptical.
I wondered if she could sense the shakiness in my voice, if she could see the lingering tears in my eyes. Could she see that she’d interrupted the moment my entire world turned upside down? The moment my heart was ripped out of my chest?
For Leo’s sake, I hoped not. He didn’t deserve the position my stupidity and inability to decipher a simple number had put him in.
I can’t breathe.
I need to get out of here.
Forcing composure, I said, “Leo, it was nice seeing you. I hope you have a great rest of your day.”
As I turned to walk away, he called, “Felicity, wait.”
His plea was painful. Refusing to turn and acknowledge it, I kept walking down the long pathway until I was off the Covington grounds. Only as I turned the corner to the main road did I allow my tears to fall.
I wasn’t even sure I knew how to get back to the damn inn. And it wasn’t like I had a phone for navigation.
Here in this rainy countryside was the lowest point of my life.
* * *
Felicity
Track 20: “Someone Like You” by Adele
If I’d known I was going to be walking two miles, I would’ve worn sneakers. My flats were now covered in mud. However, this now-soaked black dress was perfect for mourning all hope of a future with Leo Covington.
As the rain poured down, I figured I had about a mile more to go. Thankfully, I’d stopped and spoken to someone who gave me precise walking directions back to Lavinia’s.
At one point, a car began driving slowly alongside me.
Great.
“Christ, you’re a mess,” the male driver said.
Picking up my pace, I turned to him. He had a beard and wore what looked like a beret.
“That’s what happens when you’re walking in the rain.”
“Get in.”
Just what I needed—to be attacked and left for dead in the English countryside.
“I’m sorry. I don’t get into cars with strange men, particularly ones with abrasive tones.”
“Ginger, get in the car. You’re soaked.”
I stopped in my tracks. Ginger?
But it couldn’t be. It looked nothing like him.
I squinted. “Sig?”
“You’re telling me you didn’t know it was me? I assumed that’s why you were being a bitch.”
“No, of course I didn’t know it was you. Since when do you have a beard…and wear hats?”
“Since when are you walking around England in the rain looking like you’re heading to a funeral? Although, you never did have fashion sense.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“Leo called. He said you took off on foot and asked me to make sure you got back to your place safely.”
“I’d ask why he didn’t come himself, but I’m pretty sure he’s putting out a major fire at home right now.” A slightly angry laugh escaped me. “You must have been amused when you found out about all of this.”
“Get in, Ginger.”
I decided to take him up on his offer. Once inside, I fastened my seatbelt. “Thank you.”
He drove off without a word, but he finally huffed, “No, for the record, it doesn’t make me fucking happy to know you’re hurting. I might be a snarky bastard, but I’m not heartless.”
My chest tightened. “I’m sorry for implying you were. It’s been a rough day.”
