“Oh, God. I’m scared to hear,” Mauve said. “Does it involve a handsome stuntman?”
“How’d you know?”
“You’re my best friend. I know you.”
“Don’t judge, please,” Reese said, feeling suddenly vulnerable.
“You know me better than that. But I do worry.”
“You and me both.”
They agreed to meet in a few hours and hung up. Reese found herself feeling relieved. She shouldn’t have worried, though. Mauve was always in her corner, no matter who else was there too.
The city center was busy that afternoon with shoppers and families headed to the skating rink. The air was cold and crisp and smelled of grilled sausages from a street vendor near the ice rink.
Reese and Mauve walked arm in arm, peering into the shops while they chatted. They’d agreed to talk in detail about the Roan situation later, but for now they were simply enjoying each other’s easy company and the sparkle of Sugarville Grove during the holidays.
“I love this town at Christmas,” Mauve said, tugging her knit cap to cover her ears. “I’ll never tire of it.”
“Agreed. It always feels magical this time of year.”
They stopped in front of Clever Fox Books. The window display featured a miniature winter village with tiny ice skaters and a Christmas tree made entirely of stacked books. LaneyHayes was so clever. She was married to one of the Hayes brothers and now ran the bookstore while raising several little ones. She and Nolan made the sweetest couple. Every time Reese saw them in town she felt a pinch of envy.
“Let’s go in,” Reese said. “I ordered a book last week and Laney said it would be in by now.”
“Yes, I want to get a few books for my nephew.”
The bookshop was warm and crowded, holiday music playing softly. Mauve headed to the children’s section while Reese went to the front counter to enquire about the mystery she’d ordered for an early Christmas gift to herself. Laney wasn’t there that afternoon, but the clerk found it for her.
Mauve was still browsing the children’s section, so Reese perused the romance section to see if there was anything interesting. She found another two books for herself. Her father had never approved of her reading romance. She’d had to hide them under her mattress. No more hiding now. She could read whatever she wanted.
She could also let Roan back into her life. Her choice now.
Soon, Mauve was ready with several picture books for her nephew. They paid at the counter and then headed back outside.
“Let’s grab a coffee,” Mauve said.
They headed into Bean Counters, ordered lattes, and then found a cozy corner to sit.
“All right, tell me everything,” Mauve said.
Reese filled her in on the details, including Roan’s confession to partially coming home for her. “He knew it was my studio when he bought the place from Wayne. He said he thought it was a sign that he should try and make amends.”
“Not sure how I feel about this,” Mauve said. “I’m the one person who knows how badly he hurt you.”
“I know. And that’s fair. But I hope you’ll give him a chance.”
“If it’s important to you, then I will,” Mauve said. “But the whole thing sounds kind of stalker-like.”
“I know it sounds that way. But it’s not.” Reese told her more of what Roan had told her about the end of his career and subsequent therapy.
Mauve listened carefully, nodding supportively, but Reese could see the worry reflected in her friend’s pretty blue eyes.
“I know, it’s a lot to take in,” Reese said.
“It is, yes,” Mauve said. “I mean, the way he left was a huge turning point in your life. You’ve never fully gotten over it. And now, he’s back—and all’s supposed to be forgiven?”
“It’s more complicated than that, obviously. But I want to give him a chance. I just do.”
