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“I’d love nothing more, but I don’t do seconds or relationships.”
My supposedly dead cell phone rings in my pocket, but I ignore it.
“You need to get that? Could it be the hottie from last night asking for another round?” She laughs, finishing her coffee and tossing it into the trash can a few feet away from the table.
“No, it’s probably my mother,” I respond, checking my watch. “Do you need to go? Everyone should be heading into the bakery soon for their coffee before heading in to work for the day.”
“Nah, I have a few more minutes to kill. Besides, I just baked some fresh cookies before I came here. I gave Katie instructions to offer free samples in case I don’t get back in time.” Her voice trails off as my phone rings again. “How many times has she called you already?”
“More than I’d like to admit, but I’ve ignored everyone but you. We both know what she’s going to say. A lecture about being more responsible with my phone while also wanting to make sure I’m okay after they dropped the bomb on me that Campbell was back in town.”
“If he comes anywhere near you, tell him to go fuck himself. His cheating on you should’ve been a pretty good indicator that he isn’t relationship material. Once a cheater, always a cheater.”
“He never cheated on me, Peyton. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that.”
“I still think the timeline is too much of a coincidence,” Peyton grumbles.
This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to convince Peyton that Campbell never cheated on me. To her, he’s the worst kind of man. The kind that left me brokenhearted.
“He didn’t cheat on me or Emmeline. My mom told me she’s the one who cheated on him and ran off.”
“Yeah, that’s some bullshit. Leaving your husband is one thing, but abandoning your child… I could never.”
“Yeah, I can’t even imagine what he’s going through right now. No matter what he’s done to me, no one deserves to be treated like that.” I sigh loudly before pushing to my feet. “From what my mom says, he never saw it coming. He seems like he’s been a good husband and father. Did everything he was supposed to do, but it didn’t matter. Now he’s back living with his parents and raising their son alone.”
“I still don’t like him.”
“You don’t even know him, Peyton. I’ve forgiven him for what he did to me, and now it’s time for both of us to let it go.”
“I don’t know…” Her voice trails off, causing me to chuckle.
“At least don’t be mean to him for no reason.”
“What if I have a reason?”
“Then you can do whatever you want. Be as big of a bitch as you want, but he has to give you a reason.”
“I can live with that. I’ll try to be nice, but I make no promises.”
“That’s all I can ask from you.”
“Now, about your mystery man…” I groan in response. “Come on! You always tell me the details so I can live vicariously through you.”
“There really is nothing to tell.”
“Besides the mind-blowing sex.”
“Are you going to let me tell this story or what?”
“Sorry. Shutting up now.” She makes a big show of locking her lips and throwing away the key before folding her hands on the top of the table.
I wait a few moments to make sure she doesn’t have anything else to say before continuing. “I actually met him in Chattanooga last month.” She opens her mouth, and I place my hand over it, silencing her. “No, he didn’t stalk me. But he knows me. Apparently, he grew up here and was on his way back for a visit with his parents. He won’t be in town much longer.”
“Oh, my god! Are you planning on leaving me? I can’t move right now. Business is booming, and I’m finally making some money, but maybe in a few years I can figure it out.”
“Girl, pump your breaks.” I shake my head. “He’s leaving town, not me. No matter how mind-blowing the sex is.”
“I call bullshit. If it was just sex, you wouldn’t be telling me about it.”
