Brad shook his head.“That was a few years down the road.It was actually Reed’s brainchild.He called me one day and asked if I wanted to go into business with him.At first, I was hesitant.But the more he explained his vision to me, the more interested I became.I’d already developed and sold a popular app, so I had the capital we were going to need.”
She found herself caught up in his words.“It must be hard for you now that Reed has moved to Bayberry.”
Brad shrugged.“It’s not much different from when he was out scouting for newspapers to add to the Rumor Quill.In the beginning of this venture, his apartment was nothing more than an oversized closet where he kept his things and visited on the weekends.”
“And what’s it like now?”She was genuinely interested.She’d only ever lived in Bayberry, and all of her friends were here.Well, Sadie had moved away for an extended period, but she was back now, and something told her Sadie was back for good.
He frowned.“Why all of the interest?Are you worried that after the wedding, Sadie and Reed will move away?”
Abby shook her head.“No.”
“So, you think they’ll stay in Bayberry?”
Abby nodded.“I do.Why would they move away?This is a great place to raise a family.Everyone knows everyone else.”
“And that’s a good thing?”His arched brow emphasized the disbelief that glinted in his eyes.
“Of course it is.”She felt obliged to add, “Most of the time.”
It was only then that he bestowed upon her a genuine smile.She hadn’t spotted a smile like that from him since they were decorating the hall.
He leaned in close.When he spoke, his breath gently brushed over the nape of her neck.Her heart jumped, and a wave of goosebumps cascaded down her arms.“And when isn’t it so great?”
When he pulled back, he sent her an expectant look.
Seriously?He was going to distract her like that and then expect a serious answer.She struggled to remember what the question even was.
After her heart rate slowed, she recalled what he’d said.“It isn’t so great when you’re the center of the gossip.”
He nodded as though he understood.“I get that.”
She shook her head.“I don’t think you do.You’d have to live in a small town to know what it’s like.”
She’d been the center of gossip once when she was just out of high school and a really hot bad boy came to town.His name was Ace.He had dark hair, dark eyes, and a devilish smile.He was a good girl’s temptation.
He took a job at the Bayberry Candle Company.She’d been working at Mel’s Grille.Ace would come in and flirt with her.She remembered how he’d made her feel special.Her heart would flutter every time he smiled at her.
When he’d asked her out, she thought her heart was going to pound its way out of her chest.They’d dated for a month before he dumped her for the next girl.
Abby drew her thoughts up short.The past was in the past.There was no need to go visiting old ghosts.
“What is it?”Brad sent her a concerned look.
She shook her head.She didn’t know her thoughts had transferred to her face.“It’s nothing.”
He looked as though he wanted to inquire further, when his phone rang.They stopped dancing.
“Sorry.I need to check this.”He pulled his phone from his back pocket.
When she glanced down, she saw the name on the screen.The caller’s name was Linda.
He looked up at her.“Sorry.I’ve got to get this.”
Before she could say anything, he had the phone pressed to his ear as he headed for the door.She returned to their table.It didn’t matter because the slow song was over, and the next song had a fast tempo.
Who was Linda?She had a hard time believing it was business, considering it was getting late on a Friday evening.Was it his girlfriend?No.It couldn’t be, or Reed wouldn’t be so interested in pushing them together.Unless Linda was someone new in Brad’s life, and he hadn’t told Reed about her yet.There was that uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach again.She refused to evaluate what it meant.
The best thing she could do was call it a night.They’d both played their parts for Sadie’s sake.Now she was done pretending there was anything going on with her and Brad, especially now that she knew about Linda.
