Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“You too.” Molly’s gaze ping-pongs between me and Sara. She drags her bottom lip between her teeth like she’s biting back a question. She steadies her attention on me and says, “Your sister and Teagan said I work too much, so I’m taking the rest of the day off.”
“You’re entitled.”
“But I’ll be there tomorrow.” She holds up two fingers. “Totally sober, scout’s honor.”
I feel my lips twitch in amusement. There shouldn’t be anything funny about this situation, but Molly’s so nervous and awkward about this meeting, and she’s adorable when she’s nervous. Shay might have known I’d be here with Sara, but it’s obvious Molly had no idea. “Enjoy your day off, Molly. You’ve earned it.”
“You too.” She waves between me and Sara and winces. “I mean, obviously you already are, but I hope you keep enjoying it.”
In the next breath, Shay is behind her, giving Sara a smile so obviously fake I hope my sister never tries for a career in acting.
Sara brightens at the sight of her. “Shay! Oh my goodness, how are you?”
“Good. Just having some mimosas with my friend here,” Shay says, smacking Molly on the shoulder. “We have to head out, but it’s nice to see you.”
Sara deflates a bit, recognizing the brush-off for what it is. “Yeah. Sure.”
Shay gives me a hard look and mouths, Team Molly.
I’m not much of a mind reader, but I’m pretty sure the steel in Shay’s eyes means she’ll kick me in the balls if I’m thinking of getting back together with Sara.
Sara and I both watch in an awkward silence as Shay, Molly, and Teagan giggle their way out of the restaurant.
“I guess it was foolish not to expect your sister to hate me.”
“She doesn’t hate you.” That might be a lie, so I try for truth. “She’s never used those words, at least, only said that she’s angry with you.”
Sara takes a long sip of her coffee. “I always loved your family. Sometimes it felt like losing them was as hard as losing you.” She meets my eyes. “I always believed they’d be my family too one day.”
I thought the same, but I don’t bother saying so.
Sara blows out a breath. “So, that’s your roommate? And she works for you?”
I grimace. Leave it to Molly to make something awkward in an attempt to make it less awkward. “She runs the new banquet center that’s attached to the tasting room, and she’s staying at my house temporarily.”
“Sounds cozy.”
“She and her son needed a place to stay for a couple of months.”
Her eyes go sad. “That’s just like you to swoop in and play the hero.”
I shrug. “I have the room. Anyone would have done it.”
She studies me, trying to read my expression. Sara was always good at reading me when no one else bothered. “She’s pretty.”
I nod. Denying it will just make me look and feel like a liar.
“And young.”
I shrug. Again, no use denying it.
“Does she know you’re in love with her?”
“Don’t.” The word is soft, but she hears the warning and straightens.
“It’s not my business anyway, right?” She turns away from me and smiles at the waitress, who slides our food in front of us.
When we’re alone again, I ask, “Why’d you ask me here, Sare?”
Her smile wobbles. “You called me Sare. No one’s called me that since . . .” She shakes her head and picks up her fork. “I wanted to apologize for . . . everything.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“I know you said you forgave me for what I did.” She picks up her fork and pushes her egg whites around her plate. “I couldn’t forgive myself, and I didn’t want to admit that I needed help.”
The reminder of those last days between us doesn’t hurt as much as I anticipated. It’s like going to debride a wound, only to find it’s already healed. “I wish you had.”
She nods, still not meeting my eyes. “Your whole world was tied to alcohol, Brayden. I couldn’t . . . I needed to cut it out of my life completely, and I didn’t see any way of doing that without asking you to do the same.”
“I would have.” It’s true. I’d have walked away from the family business for her. My father was still healthy when she left, so it would have been easy. And everything would have been different.
“I know. That’s why I couldn’t tell you. I was so ashamed.”
“Thank you for telling me now.” I reach across the table and put my hand over hers. “I mean it.”
“There’s another reason I brought you here. I wanted to tell you in person that I’m moving back to Jackson Harbor.” She takes a long, shaky breath. “And that I never stopped loving you, so if you ever find it in your heart to give me a second chance . . .” Her lip quivers. “I know it sounds crazy, but I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t tell you.”