“I’ve had my share of problems, and talking has always helped. In fact, my therapist is possibly my best friend.”
Addie chuckled. “You seem far too happy to need therapy.”
Something flickered over the other woman’s face. It came and went so quickly, Addie wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was it sadness? Maybe a bit of regret?
“Trust me,” Jules said slowly, “my life has not been all sunshine and roses.”
Addie frowned. “Are you okay now?”
“Actually, I’m in the best place I’ve been my entire life.”
“That’s good.”
“It’s amazing. I’m glad I saw the job at the park advertised and it brought me to Amber Ridge. It’s a beautiful town. You’re new here too, right?”
“I am. I only lived an hour away though. My parents are still in Bozeman.”
“You said you were close with your parents?”
“They’re my best friends. But then, I’m an only child, so I had no choice.”
Jules’s smile softened. “I’m glad. Do they work?”
“My mother’s a teacher who will probably work until the day she dies because she loves those kids more than anything else. And my father’s a retired Marine, although I think he’s regretting the retired part because he doesn’t know what to do with all his spare time.”
“Wow, a teacher and a Marine. They must have given you a very safe upbringing.”
“The safest and the best. I’m very lucky.”
The café doors opened, and Addie almost rolled her eyes at the sight of Rhett stepping into The Tea House, closely followed by Buck. Buck wasn’t so bad. Maybe slightly vacant and hard to talk to, but Rhett was just annoying. Although, he was flirting with her less, which maybe had something to do with all the time he was spending with Cass, since apparently Rhett was done avoidingher.
“Great,” Addie muttered under her breath. Just what her morning needed.
Jules glanced over her shoulder before looking back to Addie. “Not a fan of the guys?”
“Not a fan ofRhett.”
Right on cue, Rhett stopped at their table. “Hey, hey, it’s like a team meeting.”
Addie offered a small smile. “Hi, Rhett. Hey, Buck.”
“Mind if we join you?” Rhett asked.
Oh, hell no. She opened her mouth to say just that, but Jules got in first. “Actually, we’re talking woman things.”
Rhett grinned. “Well, it’s your lucky day, because I’m an expert on all things women.”
Oh, brother.
Jules straightened. “Great, you might be helpful then. I was just telling Addie about my ovarian cysts.”
Rhett blinked, and Buck made a face that could only be described as horror.
“They’re large,” Jules continued, “and one’s kind of twisted. I actually have a photo from my doctor that I was about to show Addie, so now I can show you guys too.” She pulled out her phone and unlocked it. “To me it looks like a dismembered fish, but—”
“You know what?” Rhett stepped back, hands raised. “We, uh, were… We’re going now.”
The guys left. Well, basicallyranfrom the table.
