“Not exactly. But a happy wife motivates a man.”
“I see.”
Grady’s brow rises. “Do you?”
“Not in that way.”
“You’ve got a long road ahead if that’s your attitude.”
“I’m well aware.”
“And you’re really okay with this?” He motions around the quiet yard.
I scan the seemingly endless woods. No sign of civilization for miles. “There isn’t much of a choice.”
“Holy shit, dude. Yes, there is. Get off your high horse and apologize.”
That sinking sensation of sludge in my veins drowns me in the glaring facts. Keegan and Millie are better off without me. “Not gonna happen, Grady.”
He holds up his palms. “All right, man. Don’t say I didn’t try.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Grady grunts again while brushing off his jeans. “You’re more stubborn than me. I can appreciate that.”
“I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Whatever makes you feel better. Good talk, Ford.” He claps me on the back.
Was it? I’m feeling a tad coerced after the last two hours of judgments. Talk about putting a man on the spot. “That’s all?”
“Nothing else to say.” His sudden departure seems rushed as fuck.
“Okay, then. Have a good one, man.”
Grady offers me a salute over his shoulder as he walks away. “Oh, I will. I held up my end of the bargain. Sutton gets to return the favor when I get home. Sure is nice having the comfort of a good woman waiting for me. Wish I could say the same for you.”
I flip off his retreating form. Such an asshole.
Healing Hug #26: When trying to forget about boys, rely on extra doses of girl power.
I move to another rack and begin aimlessly sliding the hangers from right to left. The chic collection of clothes all blend together in a blob of colors. My vision blurs to match these potential wardrobes. We’ve been at Meadow Kisses for under an hour, but it feels like an entire morning has been wasted. Retail therapy isn’t helping. Similar to the epic failures of ice cream, cheesy movies, and triple my usual hazelnut coffee servings. With extra vanilla.
The flowery perfume they infuse in this small space is giving me a headache. I check the clock on my phone again. Only three minutes have passed. The seconds must be stuck in molasses. What are the chances we can leave soon? I glance over my shoulder to find Millie and Josey giggling near a heaping display of bathing suits. A twinge cramps my belly at the reminder of the last time we went swimming. I rub at the spasm, but the sensation only spreads.
In the wide scope of things, Crawford was barely around long enough to be considered a blip on the radar. But in the month we spent together, that man weaved himself deeply into our lives. He seems to have unraveled himself just as quickly. The holes he left behind can’t be so easily repaired, though. I haven’t heard a word, even for Millie’s sake. It’s official. That rat bastard doesn’t have a heart.
“Are you having fun?”
I blink at my friend. How did she get in front of me so fast? “Um, sure?”
Josey crosses her arms. “Liar. You haven’t picked a single thing to try on.”
She’s right, of course. I’m physically present, but my mind is miles away in the woods with a certain reclusive mechanic. Damn Crawford and all his irresistible hotness. I rub my temples, repeating a mantra to forget all about him.
He’s just a guy. A careless asshat without feelings. Some lonely jerk who can’t be bothered to say goodbye to his biggest fan. That little girl is who I need to focus on. That guy isn’t worth my tears or thoughts or regrets.
A strong grip on my shoulders snaps me out of the trance. Josey is studying me with intense scrutiny. “Why do you look so weird?”
I plaster a fake-ass grin on my face. “You’ll have to be more specific.”
“There’s something strange happening here.” She traces an invisible circle around my facial features.
“Oh, this?” I point to my expression. “It’s my brave face.”
She quirks a brow. “No one is believing that.”
“It’s working so far.” I shrug, flicking imaginary lint off my shirt.
“Well, not for me.”
“Me either, Mama.” Millie pops out of seemingly nowhere. Was she hiding in a rack?
I blow some stray hair off my forehead. “Awesome, you two. Thanks for ganging up on me.”
Josey offers a lopsided smile. “It’s okay to miss him, Keke. Breakups are tough.”
“There was nothing to break up. He wasn’t my boyfriend. We weren’t dating. And I’m fine with that.” I find myself once again very thankful that I don’t have a Pinocchio tell.
“What kind of friend do you take me for?”
“The best?” When all else fails, try flattery.
“Well, that’s obvious. And because of that, I’m well aware that you’re lying. Which is fine, but not necessary or appreciated.”
I drape an arm over her shoulder. “Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right. There’s a pretty good chance my spirit is crushed. But I’ll rebound.”
“Was that so hard?”
“Extremely.”
Millie has been quietly watching us, waiting for an opportunity to pipe in. “I miss Ford, Mama.”
I flinch at his name coming from her mouth. We’ve managed to dodge addressing him personally. That small avoidance felt like a victory in our column. My soul cries out at the reminder, but I shush that susceptible piece of me. I kneel to Millie’s level, placing a kiss on her nose. “Well, I love you. Did you know that, sweetie?”
She scrunches her brows. “Love you, Mama. But is Ford going to call soon?”
The throbbing in my chest cracks me wide open, spilling all of that sensitive gibberish onto the flood. I press a palm to my sternum, attempting to trap the sentimental goo from escaping. The loss is too great, and my knees wobble in this crouched position. Falling onto my ass would be icing on the damn humble pie. I try to suck in my lips when the corners tremble. How could that stupid jerk do this to her?
I gulp
