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“We’re going to take care of that bastard.” Lee muttered under his breath.
“I’m okay. Papers were signed last week. It’s done.” Tabitha pulled back. “I can’t thank you enough anyway.”
She would never forget the day she made that call. The MC was like family; she never expected to call and ask for help. They were the ones that dug up the dirt on Ryan so she could finally get free.
That asshole tried to take her for everything she had, which wasn’t much. But on top of that, he wanted to sue her because she didn’t produce an heir. To this day, he still didn’t know she aborted the one chance of that.
Lee nodded. “I kept my promise. I didn’t tell him. It’s not like he sticks around much to find anything out.”
“Thank you.” The last thing she wanted was for Archie to know and get some hero complex, because that’s exactly the kind of guy he was. Or it used to be. It had been years since she’d seen him.
“You should know, he’s here. He actually came to town for this celebration.” Lee shrugged.
“As he should.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Happy Anniversary to you two.” She smiled at Gracie and Lee. They’d always been like bonus parents to her growing up. “Excuse me a minute.” She walked down the hall to the bathroom to splash some cool water on her face.
She was about to have to go and face several people out back that she hadn’t seen in too long. Tabitha knew she’d been too wrapped up in her own drama. These were people that she’d always loved and loved her back. She was sure they all knew of the divorce by now, just not the details of how messy it had been. Only her parents and the MC knew. She wanted to keep it that way. Let anyone else think they’d simply fallen out of love.
It was easier that way.
Once Tabitha felt more calm and collected, she made her way into the backyard to join the celebration. She’d missed parties like that. Everyone came just as they were, not dressing up to impress anyone. Fun conversations, great music, the best food, and all smiles and laughter.
Everyone greeted her with warm hugs. Nobody brought up the divorce, and she was grateful for it. It wasn’t something she wanted to even think about. Instead, they asked her about her new career.
That was something she loved to talk about. She never thought the interests she was teased about as a kid would be the very thing paying her bills today. Tabitha wasn’t necessarily bullied growing up, but kids loved to tease anyone that preferred to read or go to a midnight showing of a movie’s release in costume. She couldn’t blame them, the idea was silly thinking back. She still loved it though.
She heard his laugh before she turned around. The best friend she’d lost touch with over the years, since the marriage honestly, was across the yard talking to her parents. Her mother’s eyes met her own as she smiled.
Archie slowly turned, and it was like time stopped and everyone else fell away. It had always been like that. Tabitha swallowed as they stepped towards one another. The friend she always had a little bit of a crush on but could never work up the courage to say anything to. Last she heard, he was married.
She would never forget that day. It was the first time Ryan paid her off after raising his voice. She came home for a visit and read it in the paper. The wedding announcement nobody told her about, she just stared at it in black and white. She didn’t even hear it from Archie.
Tabitha didn’t want to think about that. All that mattered was an old friend and a chance to catch up without talking about spouses or exes.
As he walked closer, she couldn't help but let her smile grow. He looked just the same, yet completely different. Same smirk that could melt any girl’s heart. Same eyes she’d never admit she got lost in. His muscles had grown and his hair was shorter than he kept it as a kid.
“Hey, stranger.” His warm voice was like a shot of whiskey, sending shivers down her spine and warming up her insides.
How was it possible that after all this time, his voice still did that? It was warmer and richer, but it only seemed to fuel the fire in her faster. She couldn’t even think about how much hotter he’d gotten. She should not be having these thoughts about him.
He was fucking married!
“Hi.” She practically stuttered. “Why does this feel so awkward?” She laughed.
He shook his head and pulled her in for a hug. “You never need to feel that way around me.”
She closed her eyes at his embrace. “God, I missed you!” She was overcome with emotions and fought the urge to cry.
“Same.” He spoke low as they continued to hug.
Two minutes must have passed before they finally let go. It’d been slow, as if neither one of them wanted to. Surely, it was all in her head. She always felt safe in his arms. It was like coming home. She knew she had no right to feel that way. They were just friends.
“It’s been too long.” She smiled.
“Ten years too long.” He laughed. “How are you? Still happy?”
She nodded. “I’m great.” It had been a rollercoaster, finding her way back to her happiness. She was getting there, but didn’t want to bother him with any of that.
CHAPTER6
