We haven’t seen each other since theincidentat the creek, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t at all nervous about seeing him.
I’m nervous as hell, actually.
We’d spoken throughout the week, but mostly to do with work, so there are clearly unspoken feelings. I just didn’t know what the feelings were and if I’m the only one who feels them.
I don’t want to feel them, and I’ve tried to tell them to shoo, but it doesn’t seem to be working.
I’ve barely been single for three months, yet my body is screaming for whatever he wants to give me. I’m just glad I’m mentally strong enough to resist. How much longer I’ll be able to resist, though? That remains to be seen.
Snow globe lights dangle between each booth, lighting up the signs, the food and drinks, the games, and all the stuffed toys you could imagine.
Right in the center, stands a Ferris wheel, giving you the most incredible view of the quiet, but lit up Grangewood Creek.
The entire town has come out for the last night of the Carnival.
Nothing beats the feeling of a small town coming together to support its community, and I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it. I even overheard Mrs. Bishop talking about something that didn’t involve Austin or me, and it was pure bliss.
"Are you sure you don’t need me anymore?" Bea shouts over the noisy crowd. She’s been helping me out over the last few days to make sure everything ran smoothly, and it has, largely thanks to her.
"I’m sure." I nod. "Find Laney, and enjoy yourselves. Harley and his Mom will be here soon. Tell your beautiful wife I said hi," I say, smiling at her. She leans in to give me a hug. "Thank you for all of your help," I call out to her as she runs to find her wife, waving her hand in the air to say goodbye.
"This booth sure is something." A chillingly familiar voice snatches my attention almost instantly, but I’m reluctant to turn and face her. I feel her eyes burning into the back of my head from behind me and I can’t help but roll my eyes as I take a deep breath to calm myself before I turn in her direction.
"Angela. What can I get you?" I attempt my best customer service voice, even though we both know she doesn’t deserve it.
"You can’t seriously be working for that man. You really think I want to spend my hard-earned money on something from his business? You’re as delusional as I thought. No wonder Austin cheated on you," she spits, crossing her arms over her chest, blue eyes rimmed red.
Her piercing stare makes me uneasy while she attempts to hurt me with her words, but I don’t let her. I’m all too accustomed to the venom that spews out of her mouth.
"Why are you here then, Angela? Why are you wasting my time if you don’t plan on spending yourhusband’shard-earned money?" I meet her gaze head on and match her energy.
I can’t help it.
Mom may have raised me to be polite, but she also taught me to stand up to bullies. Angela Anderson is the biggest bully in town, and everyone is afraid of her. I used to cower when she was around, using her son as a shield, but not anymore.
I no longer have a reason to be kind to her.
"I just had to see if the rumors were true. That you are working for that…that family." The wordfamilysounds so forbidden on her tongue, like she’s never known the true meaning of it. "It’s just like that man to take things that belong to my son." Bitterness is the only face Angela Anderson wears well.
"Firstly,Angela, Harley has taken nothing from your son and we both know it," I start before I’m cut off and unable to continue.
"Second, it is none of your business who my son hires to work forthebusiness that he worked hard to build, let-alone, who my son has relationships with, professional or otherwise." Joanna Wingrove’s voice is the one I hear over my shoulder, and I can’t help but smirk at the instant change in Angela Anderson’s face.
Almost like she’s seen a ghost.
"Third, there is absolutely nothing that I want that your son currently has." Harley’s eyes briefly flick to me before they return to Angela.
He’s here.
"Now, if you don’t leave this area, I’ll have security escort you off the entire grounds, considering I own the land where the carnival is currently being held. If you don’t want the whole town to see you dragged away, kicking and screaming like the toddler you’re trying to be, I suggest you walk away. Willingly."
Angela Anderson is a proud person. She’s arrogant and incredibly rude, and I put up with it for fourteen years.
But I don’t have to do that anymore.
Harley putting her in her place is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
"Come on, honey, let’s go."
