Page 68 of Legacy

I tried my best professional smile since this man literally did nothing but annoy me for my own misguided choices. I didn’t need to let him know how bad of a day I was clearly having.

“Oh. Landon. Good to see you.”

“Is it? Well. Nice to see you back at the scene of the crime.”

“The crime where you tried to ask me out because you were married and wanted extra fun?”

“Yes. I guess so.” He nodded toward the woman at his side. “She understands.”

I just stared at both of them, wondering how the hell my life had become a circus.

Because, of course, it was.

The next thing I knew, the kid who had pushed me on the sidewalk when I had been in kindergarten, making my dress ride up so everyone saw my peach-colored panties and socks, was going to turn around the corner and remind everyone of the incident.

These are the days of our lives, Felicity, and you are exhausted.

I just rolled my eyes and moved past Landon towards the coffee shop.

Yet when I walked in, I knew my day was only going to get worse.

“And this one time, she totally fell out of the car and went splat right in front of the hottie at the whiteout game. Remember that, L?” Laurel nodded as Lauren beamed as a group of strangers, as well as townspeople, sat in rapture as Lauren and Laurel spoke about things that made zero sense.

And, of course, because my nightmare of an afternoon wasn’t over, Fiona stood nearby, coffee in hand, wide-eyed. Well, if this little play didn’t make it into the town gazette, I’m sure Fiona would be sure to spread it around town.

And for some reason, two of the Ls were talking shit about me. And I was exhausted.

“Seriously? Why are you bringing that up? I thought you both had places to be.”

Laurel beamed at me. “There you are. I thought you were busy? We’re just reminiscing about old times. I know that football guy you tutored didn’t really work out, but you really only liked him for his beard, right? Like how you used to go on and on about this one bearded hottie from your hometown.”

I froze, wanting to crawl into a hole and never come out.

I’d had too much tequila one night and had mentioned my crush to one of the Ls. I couldn’t even remember which one because they all blurred together even while sober, and yet I had no idea she’d even remembered that conversation.

Laurel smiled that sweet smile I’d fallen for hook, line, and sinker, thinking she was a real friend. “You know, that bearded hottie who seems to think of you as a little sister. Well, it’s okay, I understand. Sometimes, you have to make up things so you can fit in. But we’re all adults here, right?”

“Young lady, you need to watch your mouth,” one of the older ladies from my mom’s knitting circle snapped. “I don’t know who you are, but in Ashford Creek, we don’t take kindly to loose-lipped liars.”

Laurel blushed. “I’m not the liar. She’s the one who kept talking about her crush on this growly, bearded dude, and yet he never came around. And from what we can see, he’s not around now.”

“You’ve been here for like five seconds. What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked. I held up my hand and looked over at Ms. Holly. “I’m sorry for cursing.”

“No need to be sorry. I know a bitch when I see one,” Ms. Holly said primly, and I nearly gasped as the Ls turned red.

I sighed. “Seriously, it has been a weird day, and I really don’t know why you guys are here. And I don’t understand what your motivations are. We’re not in college. I’m not some gossiping kid. I’m living my life at home. I’m sorry it’s not what you think it needs to be, but you clearly didn’t know me. Why don’t you just leave town and do what you want to do? But this is my town. Talking shit about me and making things up isn’t going to help. It isn’t going to do anything to help you.”

Laurel lifted her chin. “You’re the one who made up your mountain man.”

“And you two need to get a life.”

I closed my eyes, counting to ten, wondering if I was ever going to wake up from this odd nightmare. “Callum. Please.”

“Oh, you’ve got this. But these two need to leave. Ashford Creek has enough assholes in it. We don’t need to add two more.”

“Well, I cannot believe you just said that,” Lauren snapped.

“You know, I’m pretty much the queen bitch of Ashford Creek, and I’m not even as idiotic as you two. Seriously? Of course, Callum’s the hot bearded hottie. The other bearded hotties here are either the other Ashfords or related to her. We’ve all had crushes on them. It’s what we do. But seriously, go home. And grow up.” Fiona wiped her hands, winked, and walked past me out of the door.