Page 158 of The Bitter Words

Nine Months Later

Shattered Bouquets & The Dagger of Goodbye

Some gifts wilt before they bloom, and I wonder if love was the poison or the cure.

Iyawn as I shuffle through my old bedroom in my parents’ house and open my door. The smell of bacon fills the air.

I pick up my pace and fix my messy bun on top of my head. I bounce down the back staircase.

“You better have made some for me.” I step into the kitchen and my mouth falls open. “Bren! What are you doing here?”

He places the spatula down and flashes me a lopsided grin. “You didn’t really think I’d miss your birthday, did you?”

“How did you get the time off?” I race over to him and we embrace in a tight hug.

“Mayhem is on a two-week hiatus.”

“You are?” I break away and my stomach spins.

“Yeah. I made everyone keep it a secret so I could surprise you. Pulling this off is pretty spectacular if I do say so myself.”

“I’ll give you credit. This is definitely a great birthday present, especially since we’re back on good terms.” I glance behind me and then face Bren.

I can’t help but feel like Callum is going to jump out of a secret hiding place.

Bren returns to the griddle and flips the bacon. “He’s not here.”

“Who?”

“Cash. Who else would I be talking about?”

“Dad?”

“They told me you knew they’ll be gone until noon.”

I pull out a stool and sit. “How did you know I was thinking Callum was around here somewhere?”

“I can clock you a mile away.”

“That’s comforting,” I say dryly.

He laughs. “Chill out. It’s not like you have much to hide these days.”

“How do you know that?”

“Mom and Dad told me you’ve been on a health kick. They said you haven’t been going out or even dating.”

“I haven’t had the time.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard.” He flashes me a sympathetic smile. “Is your business struggling that much?”

I shrink inside and shrug. “It’s not doing great.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to resuscitate it?”

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

“How does moving to Paris help your brand?”