Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Was he fucking kidding me?
Cammie shifted beside me, and I didn’t even need to look at her to know she’d noticed.
The whole pub probably noticed.
When the song ended, the vocalist thanked us, and the band began packing up their stuff.
Taran shot me a worried glance because I was glued to what was happening, waiting on edge for it to play out.
Sure enough, the redhead strolled over to the bar, introducing herself to Quinn and Ramsay. Quinn quickly turned to talk to the person at his other side and Ramsay bent his head as the redhead spoke in his ear.
Jealousy was like a knife wound across my chest—and I could say that with authority now.
“This is unbelievable,” Cammie hissed.
“Don’t look.” Taran angled her body toward me. “How’s the B and B coming along?”
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t engage in banal discourse.
Instead, I watched as the redhead and Ramsay barely made any conversation before they moved from the bar.
To walk out together.
It felt like my heart was cracking in two.
“Watch yourself with that one, sweetheart!” Cammie suddenly called over the noise of the pub, hushing everyone into silence.
I couldn’t even be embarrassed.
I could only process the pain.
Ramsay and the redhead halted.
“He’ll cut out your fucking heart,” Cammie spat at them.
I didn’t know how the redhead reacted because I was staring at Ramsay.
He met my gaze, and I couldn’t hide my feelings. I wanted to so badly because he didn’t deserve them.
And I hated him for it.
I hated him.
There was nothing on his face. No hint that he even cared.
The redhead nudged Ramsay, and he jerked his head round, following her out the door.
“What an absolute prick.” Cammie slammed her pint down on the table.
“Would you calm down,” Taran snapped at her. “You making a scene only made it worse for Tierney.”
It was true.
But I couldn’t speak.
And I knew Cammie’s intentions came from a good place.
Cammie flinched. “Shit. Tierney, I’m so sorry. I … I can’t believe him … I’m sorry.”
Slowly, the room returned to normal, but I could sense everyone watching me. Quinn’s sympathy was clear even from across the room, and I fought the urge to bolt. Rather, I stood, reaching calmly for my purse. It was new since Shawn Prescott had stolen mine after he stabbed me.
I’d been stabbed three weeks ago and my lover not only dumped me, but he’d walked out of the pub with another woman.
I hated him.
“I’m going home.”
“I’m coming with you.” Taran snatched up her purse too.
Cammie grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry.”
I squeezed hers in reassurance. “In the morning, I’m going to love you for what you did. But right now …” My lips trembled dangerously. “I need to leave.”
My friend nodded, pale with guilt, as she stood too. “Let’s all go.”
With my head held high, I got out of there without bursting into tears.
It was only once we were off Main Street and there was no one else around that the tears flooded out of me before I could stop them.
Taran and Cammie hugged me, protecting me inside an emotional and physical cocoon of friendship, as I sobbed for the first time since Ramsay ended things between us.
I promised myself it would be the last time I cried for him.
35. Ramsay
Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, trying to sleep and failing.
Akiva, sensing my turmoil, had her head on my chest, comforting me. I stroked her head and tried to close my eyes again.
As soon as I did, I saw Silver in the pub. Looking at me with such pain and betrayal and hatred.
My eyes flew open, and I cursed under my breath.
Despite having left the disappointed folk singer outside the rental she was staying at with the band, I couldn’t shift my guilt. I hadn’t slept with the redhead. After seeing Silver’s face in the pub, I couldn’t do it.
There was this pressure, this unpleasant sensation, crushing down on my chest.
I’d thought I could fuck a random woman and send a message to Silver. So that she wouldn’t feel bad about things ending between us. She’d feel like she’d made an escape. That somehow, we’d all move on.
But seeing her face and realizing I’d done that to her in front of everyone …
What a cruel fucking thing to do.
And more proof I didn’t deserve her.
36. Tierney
Six weeks later
“Don’t you think this could have waited?” I asked for the millionth time.
Cammie answered with patience, even though she’d be well within her rights now to snap at me. “No. We need the dresser so we can arrange the dining room. Having one space completely finished will be amazing for your social media. And I know you’re off on your travels tomorrow, so I’ll take all the photos and load them to the B and B socials.”
My friend and interior designer had already explained her reason for getting me and Greig in a pickup truck borrowed from Forde to collect the Welsh dresser Ramsay had built for me. Three times she’d explained it.