Charlie, who sat next to me on the couch we’d claimed in the hotel bar, turned to face me. “So, where are you from, Rayna?”
“Humptulips, Colorado.”
He put his glass of scotch back on the table in front of us and frowned. “Sorry, did you say Humptulips?”
I shrugged. Wasn’t like I named it. “It’s a small town about two hours from Denver.”
“I love small towns. They’re so dreamy,” Mae put in, her eyes sparkling.
“They are if you enjoy driving, since there are no supermarkets close by.”
Mae scoffed. “I bet you have lots of cute little shops.”
“That we do. And don’t forget a great bakery.”
She clapped her hands, eyes shining with excitement. “Once we’re done filming, I’ll come out and visit you.”
“You’re welcome any time.”
I’d only known her a few days, but so far she’d been one of the nicest people I’d ever met. And since I was in the process of turning my life around, I was on a mission to make friends I wasn’t related to.
Karl was sitting on my other side, and I kept shuffling closer to Charlie.
Charlie leaned in, and I caught a whiff of his aftershave. We’d been talking since I arrived at the bar and got along great. He also smelled nice. Talking to him was nice. He was a nice guy. But that was where the problem was. Nice just wasn’t enough anymore. Not when I’d had a taste of world-changing.
Karl closed the gap I’d created between us. “So, what made you apply for a part in the show?”
“I want to open another bakery in Denver. The prize money would make that possible. And a deal to have a product in a supermarket is the icing on the cake.”
Philipa and Mae were sitting in chairs opposite the couch. Smart move—one I should have made.
Charlie beamed his nice-guy smile at me. “You don’t want to stay in Humptulips?”
“I’ve wanted to move somewhere else my whole life. And this might finally be my chance.”
The only thing I’d ever wanted was to get away from the place that had caused me so much pain. Now that my niece had a man at her side who adored her, it was time. If I trusted anyone to keep her safe, it was Jameson. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be turning sixty and still living there.
“Sorry I’m late,” a voice cut off whatever Charlie was going to say in response.
Our heads swiveled to the newcomer, and I froze. There stood Grayson, looking like he hadn’t just worked a full day, his suit wrinkle free, his hair perfectly styled.
I shifted in my seat, wondering who had invited him. “I didn’t know you were coming,” I blurted.
Philipa looked at me and shrugged. “My bad. I forgot to tell you that I mentioned it to him.”
Not pausing a beat, Grayson pulled a chair over and sat down.
“I didn’t want to miss a chance to get to know everyone a little better.” He shot his irresistible boyish grin at the girls, and they melted in their seats. “And, of course, I wanted to catch up with Rayna. Did she tell you we used to be friends?”
His implied statement that we weren’t anymore stung. But he was only stating the truth.
Mae leaned forward, her interest piqued. “Oh wow, are you from Humptulips as well? You don’t strike me as a small-town guy.”
I sat up straighter, narrowing my eyes at my former new friend. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”
Her expression fell when she realized how that sounded. “Oh no, that’s not what I meant. I told you I love small towns. It’s just that, you know, he gives off a big-city vibe.” Mae stumbled over her words, and, like the well-bred gentleman he was, Grayson waded in and saved her before I had a chance to.
“I’m from New York. But I spent a lot of time in Colorado, since my parents go to Aspen every year.”
