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“I don’t think it’ll kill me.” It was actually good, but he wanted to temper his reaction. Hopefully, he'd have plenty more chances to ask her to make him tea in the future.
Everly rolled her eyes. “Men.”
Blake turned to face her and got comfortable. “Now, tell me this super-secret and important news you hinted about.”
She held up a halting finger. “I didn’t say any of those things.”
“You implied them. Now give me the scoop.” He took a bigger gulp of the tea. It was better than good, but he’d never let another man hear him raving about hot tea.
Everly glanced at him and then away. “I got a job offer today.”
Blake’s smile faltered. “What? Were you applying for jobs?”
“Nope. But Linda wants me to help out at the wedding venue. I met with her today about the job duties. It comes with a raise.”
Blake started breathing again. “Wow. That’s great. Is that what you want to do?” At least she wouldn’t be leaving the ranch. Not that he would want to hold her back if she got a better offer, but he’d seen her almost every day for the last five years, and he’d gotten used to having her as a constant fixture in his life.
Everly shrugged. “I think so. It was a shock to me too, so I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it this evening.”
“That’s great. A raise. I’m happy for you, and I know you’ll be great at talking to the brides and helping them plan.”
“I think so too. I never saw myself as a wedding planner though. It’s nice to think about helping all of those couples have a happy wedding day.” She scrunched her nose. “Is it going to be weird thinking about weddings all the time when my own didn’t work out?”
“Not unless you let it be weird. Don’t think about it as the wedding that didn’t happen. You dodged a bullet.”
She shook her head. “You’re right. That’s crazy. I really didn’t even pick a date.”
Blake rested his arm on the back of the couch. “How are you feeling about all of it?”
He wanted to know, but he didn’t. Still, it mattered to him how she was doing.
“I’m fine.” She chuckled. “I really mean that. I’m not sad. I’m a little angry.”
“I get that. I’m angry at him too. He hurt you,” Blake said.
Everly looked up at him. “I haven’t felt anger like this before, and I hate that this frustration makes me feel dark and unhappy. I hate that everything has been a lie. I feel like a fool.”
Blake laid a hand on Everly’s knee. “You are not a fool. None of this is your fault. He shouldn’t have done that to you. He should have respected you.”
“Maybe I asked for too much,” she whispered. Her gaze fell to her hands.
Blake wouldn’t let that jerk make Everly feel defeated. He gently touched her chin, lifting her attention to him.
“No. You didn’t ask for too much. You deserve everything. He tore you down and used the rubble to build himself up, and that’s not how a relationship is supposed to be.”
“But I don’t know what it’s supposed to be. David and I weren’t with each other much, even though we’d been together for years. I was terrified to marry him and then find out we had to live with each other and make a life together.” She covered her cheeks with her hands. “Even if I did everything right, I might not be a good wife or–”
“Stop right there. You would be a great wife, but it means nothing if you don’t have a good husband. Stop second-guessing yourself. He was the problem with your relationship. Not you.”
Everly took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right. I know that.” She let her hands fall to her lap. “Can we just leave and go somewhere else? I’m tired of seeing the pity on everyone’s faces here. Their sad looks make me sad.”
Blake knew she didn’t mean right this minute. They both knew how to pack up and move somewhere new with little notice. Still, it didn’t sit right with him that she wanted to run.
“It’s not the place you want to get away from. It’s someone who isn’t even here. You love Blackwater. You love Wolf Creek Ranch. Don’t let him take that away from you.”
She bit her lips between her teeth and stared at the fireplace. “You’re right. I don’t really want to leave.”
“If you want people to stop feeling sorry for you, show them you’re not hurt. Be happy.”
