Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“I know. I know.” I glance over at the table where Hartford, Paxton’s mother, Carol, Hartford’s mother, Grace, and Hartford’s cousins’ wives, Clara, Emma, and Shayne, along with Shepherd’s girlfriend, Felicity, are sitting. “Maybe we should join the others.”
Hartford waves a hand in the air. “Over here,” she yells across the restaurant.
“We can discuss this later.” I make my way over to the table, saying hello to the women I barely know, and sit between Anya and Hartford.
“I’m mad at you,” Hartford says with a little nudge. “Carol, did you know Brock and Willow are dating?”
Carol’s eyes widen. “I think it’s lovely. I’ve been hoping he meets somebody new.”
I blush. “It’s all very new.”
“What about Lake?” Carol asks me.
I pour a glass of orange juice from the carafe on the table. “We broke up a few weeks ago,” I say, trying my best to change the subject. I need to escape. I grab my plate with both hands and stand back up, abruptly. “I’m going to hit the buffet,” I spill out in a rush, and beeline across the restaurant toward the buffet.
I study the contents of the buffet. It's a feast for the senses. There are freshly baked croissants, buttery and golden brown, and an assortment of pastries filled with creams and fruits. A platter of smoked salmon is elegantly arranged next to a variety of cheeses and cold cuts. The salad station offers fresh greens, roasted vegetables, and a selection of dressings. There's a carving station with a chef slicing succulent roast beef and honey-glazed ham. Bowls of creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables sit nearby. The dessert section tempts with miniature cakes, tarts, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
“Think you could slip away that easily?” Hartford asks.
She stands next to Anya, and they both assess me with their questioning gazes.
I breathe out an exasperated sigh. I should just tell them the truth, but I can’t. I can’t let anyone know the truth. That was the deal with Brock. “Look, it all happened so fast.”
“What about Lake? What if he asked you to get back together?” Anya asks. “I saw the way he was watching you last night.”
“Yeah, like he regretted every decision he’s ever made.” Hartford grabs a croissant and plops it onto her plate. “Would you take him back?”
“What?” My eyes grow as big as saucers. “No, never.” I can’t help it if it doesn’t make me beam on the inside that Lake looked upset, but I don’t want him back. “Look, what Lake did to me hurt me really badly.”
“Yeah, you need time to heal,” Anya offers.
“I know. And this thing with Brock isn’t serious. It’s something fun.”
“Like a rebound?” Hartford asks.
I shake my head, not wanting her to think I’m using Brock in any way. “No, not like a rebound. Just something fun and new. I realized last night, I don’t love Lake. Honestly, I’m not sure if I ever even did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to flaunt Brock in front of him. It also doesn’t mean I don’t want to make him jealous. Because I do.”
Anya smiles wide. “Let him see what he gave up.”
“Exactly. I’ll never take him back, but I can’t help to want to make him regret ever cheating on me,” I say, looking into each of their eyes.
Anya’s green eyes light up. “I can get behind that.”
“Yeah, he can eat his heart out,” Hartford says with a small giggle. “C’mon, let’s eat, we’ve got a scavenger hunt to do today.”
“Did you change the teams around?” Anya asks Hartford. “Brock and Willow should be on the same team now, considering.”
“No, that’s okay,” I say in a quick rush. I honestly don’t want to spend another second with Brock. He infuriates me.
“It’s fine. I already swapped out Tripp for Brock. So, now instead of Tripp, you’ll be with Brock.”
I try to hide my disappointment. “Great. Can’t wait.” And now I’m no longer in the mood for this breakfast on my plate.
Chapter 6
Brock
“We need to do this scavenger hunt,” Willow says for the fifth time.
I rub my temples as I will the ibuprofen to kick in faster. Last night I drank a lot. I drank way too much and today I’m paying for it.
“Brock, did you even hear me?”
“Willow, I hear you echoing in my damn brain. I heard you every time you said we need to do a scavenger hunt together. I heard you when you said Anya and Hartford cornered you this morning. I heard you when you said I snore. Please, give me a minute here,” I say, keeping my eyes closed as I sit on the couch in our room.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have drank so much last night.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have, but it’s clear I need to be trashed to handle this fake relationship we’re in,” I reply, lifting one eye open to look at her.