Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“Really? They’d be so much fun.”
“Yeah, but I was thinking of something more like going to a winery and getting tipsy trying to find the wine I like best or reading until I find a genre I really like.”
“Reading? Ugh.” Her nose crinkled with disapproval. “That’s so boring. What about doing a triathlon or taking an Alaskan cruise? Or taking a ride in a hot air balloon?”
“Hmm... I could do a marathon or maybe learn to ride a horse?”
“Yeah, those would definitely work.” Her eyes lit up as she gasped, “Oh! You should try riding a mechanical bull!”
“Um, I don’t know.”
“I’ll do it with you! They have one down at Crazy Jake’s Saloon.”
“Okay. I’ll give it a try.” I jotted our ideas down in my journal, then slipped them into my bag. “My break’s almost over. I better get back out there.”
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
I put my bag back in my locker, then headed back out front. The lunch rush was finally over, and things were finally settling down. I checked in with Flynn and was pleased to see that I had two tables waiting for me. I walked over to the first, and the air rushed from my lungs when I saw a familiar face staring back at me.
“James?”
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
He looked exactly the same.
His dirty-blonde hair was neatly combed over to the side, and his blue eyes matched his perfectly-ironed blue button-down. It was a look I had grown accustomed to over the years, and seeing it again had all my old fears rushing back. My throat tightened, my palms became sweaty, and I had to fight the urge to run. His lips curled into a warm smile as he said, “Hello, Jules.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for you.”
“But how did you find me?” The words had barely left my mouth when I remembered my last conversation with MJ. She’d warned me that James might have issues with the papers and come looking for me. I’d hoped he would just sign them and move on, but clearly, that wasn’t the case. I let out a breath as I muttered, “Damn. The papers.”
“Yeah. To say the least, I was surprised to get them. I wanted a chance to talk to you about them, so I went to the law firm that was listed on the papers. I hoped someone might tell me where you were, but no one was there. Thankfully, someone in town directed me to the orchard.”
“Yeah, thank goodness for that.”
He looked at me with his pouty, puppy-dog eyes as he said, “I can’t believe it. I thought I’d never find you.”
“If only I’d been so lucky.”
“Don’t be like that, Jules.” His brows furrowed with dejection. “You don’t know what I’ve been through these last three years.”
“What you’ve been through? Are you kidding me? I’ve been through hell and back because of you.” I stepped closer and lowered my voice so others couldn’t overhear. “You hurt me over and over again, and you made me believe I was the one at fault.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, baby. I know it was wrong, and if I could take it all back, I would.” He reached for my hand, but I quickly pulled it back. “I’m not the same man I was back then. I’ve changed. I’ve grown up. I know what it is to be a good man, and I want to be that for you.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” He reached over and took my hand in his. “I know how good I had it, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get it back.”
“Get what back?”
“You... Our life together.” I couldn’t believe my ears. James was completely delusional if he thought I would ever go back to him, but he sounded sincere as he said, “We had a good thing, and I screwed it all up. I just want a chance to make it right.”
“There are no more chances, James. I’ve given you all the chances I’m willing to give.” I jerked my hand free as I told him, “What we had ended three years ago, and there’s no way in hell I’d ever...”
Before I could finish my thought, Flynn came up next to me and asked, “Is everything okay over here?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine.” I glared at James as I said, “He was just leaving.”
“But...”
“Just go, James,” I pushed. “There’s nothing else to say.”
“There’s plenty left to be said, but if you want me to go, I’ll go.” He grabbed his coat from the chair and stood. “It was good to see you, Jules. You look good. Real good.”
“Goodbye, James.”
He leaned over, and before I could stop him, he kissed me softly on the cheek. “Later, babe.”
Without saying anything more, he turned and started for the front door. My entire body shivered with disgust as I wiped the remnants of his mouth from my face. As soon as he was gone, Flynn placed his hand on my arm and asked, “You okay?”