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“Is that how you answer phone calls? No wonder people don’t come into the store.” I groan at his pithy reply and contemplate hanging up on him.
“What do you need, Ben?”
“Just thought you’d want to know that I moved some things around, and you now have enough money to hire Wren’s teenage brother.”
“Do I want to know?” I ask, backing out of the driveway. His voice fills the cab as I drive back into town. When we bought the house out here on the edge of town, the plan had been to raise chickens and maybe get some cows. Now, those plans have died.
“It’s nothing crazy,” he assures me. The line goes quiet for a moment, and I can almost imagine him running a hand through his hair. “Have you thought more about what we talked about this morning?”
I sigh.Should’ve known.
“You know, I can help you fill out a profile online,” he says. “Unless there’s someone specific in town you’d like to go out with.”
Lucious curves and big brown eyes fill my mind, and I clench my jaw, shaking my head. “I already told you, Benji: I’m not interested in dating.”
“I know what you said, but it’s been two years.”
I sigh harshly. “I know how long it’s been, Ben.”
“I just want you to be happy,” he insists, the line going silent again.
“I am happy,” I say, despite the ache in my chest. I force a laugh. “I’ve got plenty of women in my life, Benj. They run it, even.”
“Okay,” he says, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. “I’ll drop it if you promise to at least think about it.”
“Sure,” I lie, pulling up in front of Town Hall. “I’ll think about it.”
Chapter Five
Jana
I stare up at the red brick building, taking in the grandeur of the historic town hall. One thing I can say about this town is that they knew what they were doing when they built it. I’m almost positive that every single building lining Main Street is original to the town.
I try to ignore the curious looks sent my way, recalling the conversation from half an hour ago. Mrs. Filly had called frantically, asking me to attend the town hall meeting in her place. Her grandson’s wife was in labor, and she needed to get to the hospital in Missoula—three hours away.
Hadlee links her arm through mine, adjusting the hem of her pretty dress as we walk across the street. I fiddle with my sweater, feeling obnoxiously underdressed beside my best friend.
“I thought this was just a town hall meeting,” I mutter, taking in her sparkly red dress and heels.
“It is,” she says, smiling at someone who passes us. I clasp my hands together and tap my fingers against the back of my wrist as anxiety crawls up my spine.Tap, tap, tap, tap.
“Then why are you wearing a cocktail dress?”
“Because I work at a salon,” she whispers, waving at someone else as we meander inside. “I never get to wear my cute dresses anymore.”
“Well, you could’ve told me to change,” I say, letting my eyes drop to my feet.
“What’s wrong with your outfit?” she asks, peering at my gray Columbia sweater, black leggings, and boots. “I think you look adorable, Jana.”
“Oh, thanks,” I say sarcastically, picking at a stray thread at my wrist. Hadlee pulls me to an abrupt stop, and I look at her in surprise as she takes my hands in hers.
“I don’t know why you do that, but I’m serious.” She cocks her head, a small smile gracing her lips. Her dark hair is pulled up in an effortless bun, her green eyes framed in dark lashes and liner.She looks gorgeous, and I look like a slob. “You look great! Any guy here would be lucky to have you.”
I snort.
“I’m done with men, Lee,” I say, pushing my glasses up and glancing around the room. “I’m so sick of putting myself out there. I’ve been cheated on twice. Why would I put myself through that again?”
“Okay, but they were assholes.”
