“I knew in my gut something was wrong. She hadn’t been herself. And to finally have her admit that she’d been struggling… She’d dumped his ass two months ago and didn’t want to tell anyone.” I shook my head in disbelief. “She has no idea how much we all despised the dickhead.”
I was close with Gracie’s parents, and we’d had several conversations about it. I knew they weren’t happy when she’d given up her entire life, her car, her job, her apartment, all to go live in Paris with Gabriel Laurent.
I actually had a physical reaction when she left for Paris. I had this pit in my stomach that truly didn’t leave until the day she told me she was coming home.
I wasn’t sure if it was my gut instinct about Gabriel not being the right guy for her or just the loss I felt when she’d left. Even when she was living in LA and I was here in Blue Sky Bay, we’d talk multiple times a day.
We always had.
And we’d see each other at least once a week, either for lunch or dinner, or she’d come stay with me for the weekend.
And when she left, I’d felt her absence in a way that I couldn’t begin to explain.
I wasn’t too proud to admit that I’d felt completely lost in the months she’d been gone.
I considered myself a very independent man. I’d intentionally set my life up that way.
But everything was different with Gracie, and being separated from her had proved more difficult than I’d expected.
“I’m not surprised. You know her better than anyone.” Brody held up another beer, but I shook my head no. I had some work to do back at home tonight before I left.
“Hey, Cutler. What’s a guy like you doing in a place like this?” Chloe purred as her arm came over my shoulder and she spoke against my ear.
“Well, this is the only place in town to go, so what option do I have?” I chuckled and tossed Brody a smirk. He rolled his eyes, and I turned in my chair to face her. “How are you doing, Chloe? And how’s that husband of yours?”
She was a flirt, and everyone knew it. Personally, I found it to be disrespectful to her husband, Roy, who I happened to like—even if he always laughed it off.
She came on strong, but she was probably just a little starved for attention.
But I didn’t mess around with married women, and I’d made that very clear with her on multiple occasions.
“You love to bring up my husband, don’t you?” She giggled as she played with the ends of her long blonde hair.
I glanced over my shoulder at the blue-and-white trailer with the large sign that readBlue Sky Pizza, which sat just a few feet away. She and her husband owned it, so she was always here, as was Roy.
“Just reminding you that Roy’s a good guy. But you know that, don’t you?” I said playfully as I tossed her a wink.
“Well, you’re no fun, Cutler Heart,” she pouted.
“Said nobody ever,” Phoenix said under his breath, which made me laugh.
“Fine. I’ll see y’all later.” She turned and walked away.
“She doesn’t give up, I’ll give her that.” Brody shook his head.
“Nah, it’s harmless. She just wants some attention,” I said as my phone vibrated on the bar. I glanced down to see a text message from Gracie.
Gracie
I get to see you tomorrow.
Can’t wait. I’ll get you packed up in no time.
Gracie
I’m so ready to be home.
Me too.
