Page 96 of The Prince Who Loved Me

Would throwing the bat at her cousin be considered a bad habit? “Let’s just play.”

She had found an article about Sebastien on a celebrity gossip site, but had only scanned the headline. Apparently he was fighting with his dad. That was nothing new, as Sebastien had differing opinions than his family since she’d met him, but she’d also seen the love and support he got from them.

This time, the ball sailed over Jordan’s head and hit the stone bench at the orchard’s entrance. “That’s better!” She got another ball from the bucket at her feet. “So, are you going to tell us what happened?”

“Ha!” Brandi pointed the bat at her. “I knew this wasn’t a planned vacation. You came here to interrogate me.”

“Among other things.” Jordan tossed the ball in the air as she made her way to Brandi and Wendy. “You have to admit, Brandi, that you flipped on Sebastien pretty suddenly.”

Tears welled in her eyes and she gave them an angry swipe. Crying over boys was so Old Brandi. She didn’t like the way her friends exchanged glances. “What did he tell you?” she demanded.

“How do you know we talked to him?” Jordan asked.

“Of course you talked to him. You’re friends.” Brandi dug the end of her bat into the ground. “What did he tell you?”

“This is a difficult situation,” Wendy hedged.

“What does that mean?” Brandi asked.

Jordan threw the ball into her mitt and fixed her Brandi with a no-nonsense stare. “He asked us not to say anything to you.”

“That he’d be there when you were ready to talk,” Wendy finished.

Brandi knew it. She knew her friends would takeSebastien’s side. And why would she want to talk? Better break off the relationship now before she caused him a world of pain. “That won’t be happening.”

“My turn to bat.” Jordan gave her glove to Wendy, who went to the pitcher’s mound while Brandi crouched behind the spot for home.

Wendy sent some fast balls into Brandi’s glove, making her hand tingle. Jordan stood there, poised but not moving.

“Hey, batter, batter. Too chicken to swing?” Wendy teased and she let another one loose.

“I’m rejoined the dating sites,” Brandi said.

Jordan swung, missing the ball completely. Brandi caught it and sent it back to Wendy, but it sailed by her, too, and landed on the small hill that led to the Hall.

“What?” Wendy asked.

“I mean, why not? I’m sure I can get someone to take me out because I’m pretty. Maybe that’s what I need right now.” She hit her glove with her fist. “Aren’t you going to pitch?”

“Fiddlesticks. Don’t you think it’s a little soon?” Wendy asked.

“What do you suggest I wait for?” Brandi crouched behind home and brought up her glove.

Wendy didn’t answer, only pitched a few more balls. Brandi caught the ones that made it past Jordan and threw them back to her cousin, but her mind had soared over the orchard.

Why would they imply she should call Sebastien? He had sent her enough texts and phone calls over the past week that she could have heard what he had to say if she hadn’t been determined make a clean break. Maybe they were afraid of it being awkward the next time the four of them were together. Only it wasn’t four anymore. Wendy had Rob. Jordan had Josh.

Brandi had her phone.

“You don’t have any faith in us at all,” said Jordan. “Or inyourself.”

“No kidding.” Wendy walked up to them. “When was the last time I encouraged you to try to work it out with someone?”

Brandi thought back. “Never.”

“Exactly.” Wendy pointed her finger. “And that should tell you something.”

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