My jaw hangs loose, surprised this stranger just told me her entire life story as if it were nothing. But looking back, I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s always been that way. The Betty everyone has always known was always the person people could talk to. They could tell me their secrets, fears, hopes, and dreams, and know I would never judge, but listen and absorb every word.
“Wow,” I breathe. “That’s…” I try to find the words so I don’t sound rude.
Harper waves me off with a nonchalant huff. “Yeah, it’s fine. My daughter and I are happy with the move.”
“What made you come to Carruthersville?” I ask as the server places water in front of us. We quickly give our orders, and then she focuses those big eyes back on me.
“It was the only law firm I got an offer from,” she shrugs. “I applied to all sorts of places, but I was a lawyer who hadn’t used their law degree in thirteen years. Fortunately, they took a chance on me.”
“Well, welcome. I’d be happy to introduce you to some of my friends.”
“Maybe. It’s a little tough being a single mom now. There’s no one but me to watch my little angel.” A soft smile pulls at Harper’s full lips, her sharp, layered bob swaying with the tilt of her head. She is by far one of the most stunning women I’ve seen. Tall, with high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes.
“I understand, but if you ever need a break, I’m happy to help, and my mother has worked with kids her whole life. We always had tons of them running through the house, so she’d be happy to help too.”
“You’re a gem,” Harper says, squeezing my hand.
Our conversation flows from there. Harper is an open book, telling me all about her family and her friends back home. It’s like we’ve known each other for years, cackling over the craziest things as we devour our lunches, both of our plates clean in the end.
“My goodness, I’m so full,” she leans back in her chair, wiping her mouth. “That sandwich was too large when I’m wearing a skirt this tight.”
A laugh bursts out of me as I cover my mouth, before she sits up a little straighter, her eyes raking down someone behind me. I can feel their heat, and before I even turn around, I know who I’ll find.
“Betty, we need to talk,” Nash all but growls, pulling up a chair from a nearby table.
Harper’s on her feet in seconds, her brows arched high as if assessing what type of mess I might be in. “No, please. Take mine. I need to get back to the office. Betty, I’ll call you.”
“Bye, Harper. See you this weekend.”
Nash pulls out her seat and watches her leave before sitting down with me. “I tried calling you.”
“For?” The word comes out clipped, but I have to protect myself against him. I don’t want to sound snippy, but I’d been having fun. My little broken heart was finally mending with him, mostly keeping his distance. It became easier each day not to look back when I wasn’t constantly seeing his handsome face or experiencing the way his voice vibrated through my chest and shot straight down to my core. I’m happy…
“Did I need a reason?” His tone is incredulous, and I want to slap him as much as I want to kiss him.
Dammit.His presence is undoing all the work I’ve done to move on.
“I have to go.” Instead of waiting at the counter to pay, I slip some cash into the portfolio and turn to leave.
I’ve been successful at avoiding Nash unless it was in a group setting. He still stayed at the cabins every time he was in town, but with the system I implemented, there’s no need for me to see him. I keep the main house booked with others, so he never has the chance to be that close to me, and it’s worked. I’ve started to heal.
“Betty, don’t walk away from me.” Nash follows me outside. The clap of his boots only urging me to move faster.
Spinning to face him, he stops abruptly, our chests so close they brush with my deep inhale. “Why? We’re not friends. According to you, we’re not anything more than old acquaintances. We can continue to live our lives the way we used to and pretend nothing ever happened.”
His jaw works as he stares me down on the sidewalk. “You know I don’t want to be your friend, but I…” There goes that defeated tone again. The one that begs me to forgive him without speaking the words, but is unwilling to cave on his own.
I have no fight left. I’m so tired of this rollercoaster that is loving Nash Donovan. Why wouldn’t he just let me go if he doesn’t want me?
“Give me one good reason I should keep talking to you, Nash. You know this hurts, yet you keep coming back to gut-punch me again and again. Why?” My voice cracks. It’s just cruel of him to keep doing this to me, and I’m an idiot if I allow it to keep happening.
He has the decency to flinch at my words, reaching for me only to drop his hand. “Because I’m not going to watch another man touch you.”
And I don’t know whether to scream or cry, so I do the only thing I can and walk away.
Rearview mirror, Betty. Rearview. Mirror.
Chapter 15
