Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“For weeks now that man has been showing up every day.” Her tone might be innocent, but her smirk is anything but. “Think he’ll finally work up the nerve to ask you out?”
With a wince, I rub the back of my neck, as if it’s possible to massage away the tension his presence stirs in me. “I really hope not.”
“Girl… That man looks at you like you’re a tasty cupcake.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not interested. In anyone. But especially not him.”
The lie comes out a little too easily. A little too smoothly. For the first time in years, I feel a stab of disappointment behind the words.
The truth is, I’m tired of doing this all alone.
Even though I tell myself I don’t have time for a man, that doesn’t mean I don’t want one.
So, yeah… Maybe I kind of want someone to ask me out.
Just not him.
River Thompson is a carbon copy of my ex.
This is the first time since Nora was born that I’ve even entertained the idea of going out on a date.
I mean, who has the time between late-night feedings, keeping the bakery operating in the black, and trying not to fall apart in the wake of the destruction Zane wrought? When he walked away, it was like a bomb detonated.
Romance died.
Along with hope.
And trust.
I loved Zane.
Really loved him.
I put my faith in that man and all the pretty promises he made. I gave him my whole heart along with my body and my future.
Instead of holding it carefully in his hands, he tossed it aside like it meant nothing at all.
Not only did he walk away from me, he walked away from our daughter without so much as a backward glance. I have no idea how he could have done that. All it took was one glimpse at her precious face seconds after giving birth, and I was a goner.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for that little girl. No number of hours I won’t work to make sure we have a roof over our heads and food on the table. I’d gladly go without in order to give her the world.
It baffles me how he doesn’t feel the same. Instead, he leaves us with crumbs of child support and explanations that make me feel stupid for ever believing he was my knight in shining armor.
How do you come back from something like that?
From learning the hard way that the only one who’s going to give a damn and save you is yourself.
It was a painful lesson to wrap my head around.
But I did it.
And I’ll be damned if I make the same mistake twice.
This is no longer about me.
It’s about Nora.
“Are you sure about that?” Sloane asks gently.
The question snaps me out of my thoughts. She’s been working at the bakery for a couple of years now, and it didn’t take long for us to become fast friends. Sloane has the innate ability to read people. There’s not much I can hide from her.
“One hundred percent.” My tongue darts out to moisten my lips. “Plus, he’s a hockey player.”
Sloane doesn’t blink. “So?”
“So…” I exhale. “Zane was a professional athlete too. I think we both know that lifestyle doesn’t mix well with mine. Even if River’s nothing like him, I refuse to do that again. I’ve already had my heart broken once.”
Actually, broken is an understatement.
More like obliterated.
I push up from the stool, needing to move, to do something to shake off all this pent-up energy. “I just want to focus on Nora and the bakery. That’s it.”
And it’s more than enough.
Sloane opens her mouth to argue when the bell above the door chimes and Evelyn Kingston breezes in dressed like she’s about to walk in a fashion show. I’ve never met anyone like her before.
It was a shock when she stopped by a few months ago, wanting to know if I’d be willing to supply a Railers event with desserts. As tempting as it was to pounce on the opportunity, I had to think long and hard about the fact that it would once again place me in Zane’s orbit. In the end, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
She gives us both a smile.
“I passed your number along to Beau,” she says by way of greeting. “You can expect a call soon. He’s very interested in working with a local bakery, and your lemon iced shortbread was all he could talk about.”
Hope flickers in me like a candle catching flame.
“That’s amazing. Thank you,” I manage, trying to stay calm. Inside, I’m doing a little happy dance and praying this works out. I need this break more than she knows. It’s one that will keep the lights on a little longer and buy me time to catch up on some of the bills.
Maybe even save this place for Nora’s future.