She’d only told her grandmother why she’d left that day. “Iamdoing well, actually. I’m angry. But I’m also relieved because I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Her grandmother cupped her cheek. “You are, darling. You’re home.”
Sadie’s heart rippled, and without a second thought, she pulled her grandmother into her arms. God, she loved this woman. She’d come to live with her when her parents had died in a car crash when she was sixteen, and this had been home ever since. Hell, even before that, her grandmother had made Misty Peak feel like home every summer break she’d spent here.
“Thanks, Nan.” When they separated, Sadie lifted the box of cupcakes. “I’ll deliver these for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely. A walk in the sun will do me good.”
She stepped outside, only to feel the vibration of her phone in her back pocket again.
Good God. Would the man leave her alone? It was over.Theywere over. Heck, she felt like she was giving him a gift by walking away. Didn’t he want that? After what she’d seen on the morning of her wedding, she’d assume so.
The scumbag.
And that was it, wasn’t it? While she should feel heartbroken that after six years together, not only were they not married, they were no longer together…she wasn’t. Not even a little bit.
What did that say? That she’d remained in a relationship that wasn’t meant for her for far too long? That she’d held on because it had been familiar?
She shook off the thoughts and started down the sidewalk. Her gaze fell on two men walking toward her on the other side of the street, and immediately, her skin tingled in a way itneverhad for Scott. They were both tall and wide shouldered, themuscles in their arms so thick that they stretched the fabric of their shirts.
Eastern and Cody. Brothers. Both former military. Cody had been in Delta Force and Eastern was a Navy SEAL, but now Cody ran a bar and Eastern was the town sheriff.
And good God, were they sexy.
She nibbled her lip as she forced her gaze away. She’d always had a bit of a crush on Eastern. The man was a good ten years older than her, and she’d had a thing for him since the first day she’d set eyes on him as a shy teenager who’d looked after his daughter. Maybe it was the deep blue of his eyes, or the way the gravelly undertone of his voice rolled into her belly like a fine wine.
She could still remember the first time she’d met him. It had been at his daughter’s mother’s house, looking after Avery. He’d come to pick her up, and she’d literally not been able to look away. It was like her eyes had been glued to him, and her jaw had dropped to the floor.
But while she’d had a massive crush on him, he’d probably never even seenher. Not that it mattered. She didn’t see him much after that, even though she saw his daughter a lot…basically every day.
Her heart gave a small tug at the thought of Avery. She’d nannied the little girl since she was a baby. That’s how she’d fallen in love with the kid. God, she missed her.
The two men crossed the road, and her heart thumped. They were going to walk right past her. Shecould notstare, especially at Eastern. Not only was he older than her, but it would be completely inappropriate, since he was potentially her future boss. Well, hopefully. He’d said he might need her help caring for Avery, and she was crossing her fingers and toes for that to be true.
Be cool, Sadie. Do not stare. And do not fall on your face.
When the two men passed, Eastern’s gaze caught on hers. Only for a brief second, but it was enough for her belly to do that strange flip thing.
Then the corners of his lips lifted with a slight tilt. “Hey.”
She smiled back. “Hey, Eastern. Cody.”
Cody dipped his chin.
The second she passed them, the air whooshed from her chest, and she almost wanted to give herself a pat on the back.
Good. She’d been cool, calm and collected, exactly how she should be. No falling over her feet or turning beet red.
But wasn’t her reaction to Eastern another sign thatnotmarrying Scott last week had been the best decision of her life? Women who were supposed to be “just married” didn’t crush on other men. Well, not at the start, at least. That was the head-over-heels-in-love part, right?
She was still giving herself mental congratulations when someone up ahead caught her attention. An older woman who stepped out of the bookstore—the same bookstore she was supposed to be entering.
Mrs. Chase…Scott’s mother.
Shit.
