Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Caleb tensed, expecting to be told off. Instead, she said, “Do you want to talk? I’ve got a good bottle of vodka at home?”
“You’re not angry at me for upsetting Rhys?”
She shook her head. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Rhys decided to run. Again.”
“I think it’s over between us.”
“Only if you want it to be.”
“But he said—”
“Trust me,” Marianne said. “Now, do you want vodka?”
Caleb sighed. “I’ll hate myself tomorrow.”
“Are you working the opening shift?”
He nodded.
“Call someone to take your place.”
“I can’t call out when my shop is so new, not because…”
“You’re hurting and feeling like things are falling apart?”
“That’s not…”
Marianne raised her brows.
“Okay. Maybe I do feel like that, but it’s late to call someone. I’ll be fine. If I need to leave early, I’ll find someone then. I’ll be better off having something to do in the morning.”
“All right. So no vodka?”
“Maybe a little.”
Rhys didn’t know how long he’d been lying on the floor when Tessa showed up. He ignored her the first time she knocked and called his name, but he knew she wouldn’t go away. She texted him several times. Finally, he texted back: I don’t want to talk.
She knocked again, then texted that she would let herself in if he didn’t answer the door.
He pulled himself to his feet, wiped his tearstained face, and called for her to hang on. He needed a moment to steady himself. He had a headache building behind his eyes, and his head pulsed with each beat of his heart.
She scowled at him when he opened the door. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I think you saw.”
“I saw you making out with Caleb. All that tells me is that you were working together, and it led to making out. I want to know why you ran off and what you intend to do with him.”
Rhys snorted. “Are you worried I’m going to ruin his innocence?”
“No, that man very clearly knows what he’s doing.” Rhys glared at her. “Don’t be jealous. I know he’s gay.”
“I’m not jealous. I’m… I don’t know what the fuck we’re doing. I couldn’t answer him when he asked me either.”
“Sit down. I’m going to get you some water.”
He scowled at her. “I don’t want water.”
“I don’t care what you want right now. I’m here to take care of you, and you need to drink some water, eat some chocolate, and talk to me.”
“Chocolate does sound good.”
Tessa nodded and headed toward his kitchen. Rhys knew he wasn’t getting rid of her, so he sat on the sofa, pulled his feet up, and covered himself with the blanket that was draped over the back.
Tessa returned with a water bottle and a box of Thin Mints she must have extracted from his freezer. He’d forgotten he still had a box hidden there from last winter’s cookie haul. He opened a sleeve and started eating. When he’d had several cookies and some water, Tessa stole a cookie for herself and said, “Are you in love with him?”
Cookie crumbs shot from Rhys’s mouth as he sputtered. “What?”
“Rhys, I know there’s more between you and Caleb than work and making out.”
“I… maybe.”
“Then why am I here, taking care of you, while Marianne takes care of Caleb? You should be together.”
Rhys shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Because you’re worried about the town being in your business or—”
“Yes. I don’t want us to be what everyone’s talking about. I don’t want our relationship scrutinized like that, but what’s even worse is what happens if things end badly?”
Tessa sighed. He knew she didn’t have an answer. She couldn’t fix that problem. “You’re scared.”
“Yes.”
“I would be too, but what happens if you don’t see him anymore?”
“That’s not possible. He’s right there. I’m going to see him all the time.”
“And how will you feel if the two of you aren’t together?”
Rhys took a moment to attempt to pull air into his lungs as his body buzzed with panic. “Like shit.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ve already fucked everything up, haven’t I?”
Tessa shook her head. “No, but you’ve already fallen for him, and now you have to decide what’s worse, taking a risk or watching him live his life while you’re on the outside.”
“It won’t even be like that. He’ll be right there. He’s friends with you and Finn and everyone. If we are together and then…”
“Yes, it will be horrible if you date and then break up, but are you willing to risk that for a chance? What if he’s the man you’re meant to be with?”
Rhys’s stomach flip-flopped. What if he was? Being with Caleb was different than anything he’d experienced. Was he really going to give that up? “I don’t know if I risk everything.”
“Then take a little time and figure it out, but don’t wait too long. The festival is in a week.”
“I told Caleb to enter on his own.”
“Rhys, he doesn’t want to do that.”