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“Ohmygod. Vallie,get off the phone. I love you so much, but this can wait.”
“Bitches before—well—bitches.” The soft sound of Wrenly snickering broadened my smile. “But the point stands. We’re here for you. Don’t think you have to go allJack Reacherand deal with shit yourself.” God, if she only knew how badly I would love to go allJack Reacher, if I had the balls to do it. Some things were unforgivable. Some hearts, unredeemable. Eric’s was as black as they came.
“You enjoy dinner. Say ‘hi’ for me.”
“Will do.”
“Hey, Val?” I blurted before she could hang up.
“Yeah?”
“First up—I require receipts.” Her breathy laugh was worth every ounce of stress the call had just poured into my chest. “Second, I’m proud of you. You deserve this. And I love you.”
“You forgot how to count somewhere along the way there.”
“I did.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Love you.”
“You too, boo.”
With Vallie gone, my phone still clutched between white-knuckled fingers, I stared into the cute bohemian tent I’d been dying to see since we’d passed it earlier. Brushed gold jewelry, handmade cards, gorgeous woven rugs, and beach towels were all arranged in beautiful tiny displays inside their tent. But I wasn’t shopping as I stared inside, my heart rate catching up with the information she’d just funneled into my unwilling brain like motor oil. Necessary, but a little sloppy going down.
My ribs ached, free fingers coming to trace the place on my cheek where the fresh little scar had formed. It blended in fine if you didn’t know what you were looking for; but to me? It was a daily reminder of that betrayal. A prickle of awareness caressed my spine as the chatter of the crowd suddenly faded miles away. Words, laughter, and music blaring together into one big collage of white noise.
Worthless.
Scatter-brained.
Too-skinny.
You know, a talented surgeon would make you look more feminine.
Nobody else will ever want you, so know you’re lucky I even think you’re cute.
Goddammit, Noel, why don’t you ever learn anything? You’d lose your head if it wasn’t attached. This is why youneed me, baby.
Eyes burning, I blinked into the tent, forcing a swallow down as all the thoughts I’d so diligently been avoiding flooded my mind. Absently, I brought my fingers up to my sternum, tapping like the counselor had taught me as I fought down a rasp of air.
I am worthy, I am worthy, I am worthy.
I brought my fingers to my forehead and closed my eyes, not giving a shit if the vendor noticed me and was studying intently.
I am safe, I am safe, I am safe.
My therapist’s tapping routine was complete before I forced myself to engage with my surroundings.
Damn you, Eric, you piece of shit.I love people, and parties, and traditions. Do you know what combines all of those into one big event that I soak up like toast under melted butter? Festivals. He got two years of my energy and like hell would I allow him to take any more of my power.
Yes, Vallie was one of my dearest friends. She might have been young, but she was already a badass attorney with a track record that practically promised her one of those hideously heavy judge robes if she wanted one. Val was born for this and would figure it out. And if she didn’t, karma certainly would. The idea of a backup plan might have some merit to it, though.
A warm palm wrapped around my bicep, radiating heat that thawed out my frozen body, an instant before a solid mountain of man chest cut off my view of the tent. I looked up until I found Jameson’s beard and scowling face.
“Hey,” he grumped, voice equal parts concern and frustration. “You okay?” He glanced over a shoulder before looking around over my head for some apparent threat.
“Fine.”
