“It will turn out nice then.”
The compliment blooms inside me, warming my cheeks, until he continues.
“How long will it take to get it ready?”
Right. It was only a segue into asking me how long I planned to disrupt his solitude.
I want to tell him I’ll work as fast as possible, even though I haven’t talked to Martha yet and maybe theywere kidding.
I open my mouth to assure him it won’t take long but a knock at the door robs me of my voice and fills me with dread.
I can’t ask Carter to open the door. I’d have to share the embarrassing details of my life.
He keeps looking at me expectantly, forcing me to move toward the door. His eyes are boring in the back of my head. My hesitation made him suspicious, and peering discreetly through the curtains didn’t help my case.
A heavy sigh of relief leaves my lungs when I spot Jenna and Amy on the porch, shooting furtive glances at the luxury car parked in the driveway. My mood lifts and I yank the door open.
“We were so worried about you!” Both women jump on me, hugging me tightly.
I needed this. I’m so happy they’re here, I get a bit choked up.
“Everything’s fine,” I breathe out into Jenna’s shoulder, and she pulls me closer.
Amy leans back and gives me a small smile. “Why didn’t you call us? You could’ve crashed at my place.” She looks around, pointing at the forest. “This is too secluded.”
“Good point,” Jenna chirps. “You could come back into town, and we’ll have a man-bashing shots night to get it out of your system.”
She’s forgotten I don’t drink, but I appreciate her offer. “Don’t tempt me with an awful hangover,” I chuckle and wave them in. “Come on. Give it to me straight. What’s been going on?”
“Everyone knows what happened.” Amy confirms what I feared, pity painting her blue eyes. News spreads fast in Silver Lake Falls.
“We didn’t know what you’d do, all alone and desperate,” Jenna says, a hint of condescension lacing her words. It stirs something unpleasant in my gut.
“Desperate” had such a harsh ring to it. It took me two nights of crying myself to sleep to cope with my new reality. My boyfriend is a cheater and one of my best friends a backstabbing excuse of a woman. But I wasn’t going to do something stupid about it. I’ve suffered through worse and never gave up. Also, I’m not technically alone. I have unwilling company. A brooding, handsome New Yorker who retreated to his bedroom seconds before I opened the front door.
I hope he’s busy sorting his expensive clothes by color or checking the stock market. Or whatever Carter gets up to when he’s alone. I don’t want him to hear the inevitable details.
“I can’t imagine finding out this way.” Jenna plops on the couch, shaking her head.
I take the time to make tea and compose myself before I dive into it with them.
“I was shocked and blindsided,” I admit, once I place the tray on the table.
“You two have such a strong relationship. After you’ve calmed down, think about that.” Amy looks to Jenna for confirmation.
They’ve already discussed it. They’re always on the same page.
I’m confused. “What do you mean? What’s there to talk about?”
“You should forgive him. Nothing has to change, you know.”
Amy’s conviction gives me pause. Am I wrong for wanting nothing to do with Jared?
“Men will be men. They get bored after some years. The important thing is you’re the one he’s coming home to,” Jenna says, like Jared did an oopsy and forgot to put his dirty socks in the hamper. Which he always did.
They can’t be serious. I know I ignored a lot for the chance at a family someday, but this?
“Cheating isn’t something I can overlook. I wonder how long it’s been going on, right under my nose…” I say, staring into the hot cup of tea.
