My jaw drops open when my fiancée climbs into the back seat without sparing a glance in my direction. The taxi zooms off into the night before I even know what’s happening.
Oh, dammit. Looks like I fucked up. Big time.
Digging my phone out of my pocket, I call Jules’s number. Straight to voicemail.
I call her back. Off to voicemail I go again.
After my fifth attempt, I give up.
I grunt in frustration.How did things even get here?
Just minutes ago, we were getting along fine and I was trying to decide on cheesecake versus creme brûlée. Now, I’m realizing that humble pie is the only option on my dessert menu tonight, and Jules is serving it hot.
I spend the next two hours fuming and cruising the back roads of Fairy Bush. It does little to fix my mood.
Julissa Mei Lannister will be the death of me.
16
JULES
Taking a glug from my water bottle, I step into my place and drop my duffel bag to the floor. My kickboxing gear lands at my feet with a thud. When my phone starts ringing, I silence it without even glancing at the screen.
After an hour of beating up a punching bag—and pretending it was Lincoln’s face—I’m sweaty and my limbs are sore. But my heart is pumping, my head is clear and I feel energized.
I’ve been fuming all week, thinking about the way Lincoln stormed out of that restaurant. ‘Embarrassing’ is an understatement for how the whole situation felt. I’ve been pissed about it for days. So I finally decided to do something about my pent-up emotions.
But instead of choosing violence, I chose exercise as my preferred method of burning up all my angry energy.
So classy. So demeure.
Now I feel like I’ve mentally cleared the slate. And no infuriating fake fiancés were hurt in the process. That’s victory.
The smell of something spicy and delicious makes my tastebuds water. I call out to my roommate. “Hey, roomie.”
Laney looks up from whatever she’s stirring at the stove and grins at me. “Girl! I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“You’re the one who decided to sell your soul to the reception desk at The Fairy Bush General Hospital. How’s work been?” I ask as I’m pulling off my sneakers and shrugging out of my jacket at the door.
“Draining the damn life out of me.” She pouts. Then her expression twists with sarcasm. “But on the bright side, at least they paid me just enough to buy two week’s worth of beans.” She dumps a can of chickpeas into the pot.
I guffaw. “Two week’s worth?! I guess they’ve got to keep you going back for more.”
She laughs along. “Right. You hungry?”
My phone starts ringing. I silence it again.
“Starving.” I enter the kitchen, and the absolutely outrageous bouquet sitting on the counter catches my attention.
Vibrant roses, orchids and lavender, complete with cascading greenery and trailing ribbons.
“Ooh-la-la! Laney! Are you seeing somebody?! You didn’t mention you were seeing somebody.” Setting down my phone on the counter, I lean in and bury my face in the colorful, fragrant petals.
In my periphery, I catch Laney side-eyeing me as she continues to stir her soup. “Um, those are foryou.”
I step back and blink. “For me?”
“Yes, for you.”
