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Me:Don’t be a smart-ass. You know when.
Ashley:Oh, you mean when she was telling me her visit to her dad’s next week needs to be a permanent move?
“Fuuuck!” I bellowed as I slammed my fist into the bag once more. Suddenly, the night got so much worse.
Chapter Twelve
Bella
I took asip of my “better than sex” salted caramel latte. I savored the perfect blend of coffee and caramel, deciding that the sweet, hot drink was definitely better than the sex I’d had. I rolled my eyes at the state of my love life, or lack thereof, and continued down the row of stores in our small town.
This is exactly what I need today.
Miranda took Brendan from me this morning and told me to go do something for myself, saying I needed a break and a day to recharge.
My first stop that morning was at my favorite store that made homemade soaps, lotions, and bath salts. I enjoyed a coffee that I hadn’t reheated five times as I took my time perusing the hand-poured goodies without a child in tow, demanding my attention.
Maybe I would swing by the Target thirty minutes away to get some shorts for Brendan and some new summer sundresses for myself. But Sally’s Boutique, located at the end of the strip of stores in town, was much closer. Right by The Dock, in fact. Which was a little too close for comfort. A thirty-minute drive sounded better.
Thankful for the day off, I tried to relax and continue my shopping excursion that consisted of me time. After the debacle at dinner last night, there was no way I could’ve worked with Sarah today. I was only scheduled for two more shifts before I left for Asheville on Monday morning, and I released both, hoping someone else would pick them up.
Being in the same room with Sarah and Rhett had gutted me. There was no way I could handle any more family dinners like that. My hands shook as I recalled the details of the night before.
I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and pushed the door open to the local bookshop. If I was going to spend a couple of weeks at my dad’s place, I should stock up on some good reads. It was always hard to get used to the quiet at his house, but it was great for losing myself in a novel.
I plopped down in a big plush armchair with one of my favorite romance books in hand. Opening to one of my favorite chapters, I got lost in the pages. I could read about Grant all day, every day. Quiet, played guitar, had a big, sometimes annoying family. Oh, and he loved someone else’s kids like they were his own.
After losing track of time, I finally left the bookstore with multiple options. My foot hit a stone on the sidewalk as I tried to juggle the bags and coffee cup, and a hard wall of muscle stopped my fall.
“Crap—sorry,” I stuttered as my eyes took in Rhett’s white T-shirt, now stained with coffee.
I was supposed to be putting him and that awful dinner out of my mind.
I do my best to avoid him but, of course, I literally run into him. What are the chances? And why isn’t he at work?
His hand lingered on my elbow, steadying me as his rough, calloused fingers brushed against my skin. “It’s fine. I probably deserve that after last night.”
“Please, don’t remind me. I’m trying to erase the entire night from my memory.”
“Yeah, me too,” he muttered as he shifted the box tucked under his arm. “What are you doing in town?”
I was about to ask him the same question.
“Your mom took Brendan for the day and basically kicked me out. She said I needed a ‘me’ day.”
“Smart woman.” His smile was genuine, and I wasn’t sure when the last time I’d seenthatsmile was. Maybe at Christmas when he watched Brendan open the gifts he’d bought him?
“How come you’re not at work?”
“I took the day off. They can manage for one day, hopefully.” He shrugged like he wasn’t too concerned, but I knew it must be killing him.
I had no interest in knowing what happened between him and Sarah after they left his parents’ house last night, and yet, if they did fight, was that why he chose not to go in today?
“What’s that?” I asked, nodding toward the box under his arm.
“A kitchen faucet. I’ve been down here twice today. First for a ceiling fan and a bathroom faucet. Then when I went to use the kitchen sink, the faucet broke. So here I am again.”
“Ashley told me the cabin is coming along nicely. You put all new floors in and a large patio with a fire pit, right?”
