Page 112 of Forbidden Flame

“Thanks for listening.” It felt good to have someone in my corner.

“Of course. That’s what sisters are for.”

I nodded tightly before snagging my suitcase and heading for my bedroom. It never felt more like Heath’s place than tonight. Why had I been okay with staying on this farm and in Heath’s house? I needed my own place and some space from this family where I was never going to belong.

When I checked my phone, there was a message from Daphne.

Will you let me know you got home okay?

I’m home.

I couldn’t bring myself to say anything else. I still needed space to figure things out. I couldn’t make promises, and I shouldn’t be telling her how much I still loved her. It was pointless if we couldn’t be together. Our feelings didn’t matter. If our families didn’t want us together, we were done.

The next few days were a blur. After meeting with a realtor and seeing a few places, I went back to work.

I decided to move out before the rest of the Monroes got back from vacation.

There was no point in sticking around where I wasn’t wanted. I was having trouble sleeping, and I was short with the crew. I felt off-kilter.

I couldn’t help thinking about how happy I was with Daphne and Izzy. How much I was invested in them. I couldn’t think about not seeing them anymore. It felt like a crushing weight on my chest. I couldn’t breathe.

Despite Charlotte’s protests that no one would kick me out, I packed my things on Sunday and checked into Marley’s Inn. It was the closest hotel to the job I was working, and I didn’t have the energy to search for somewhere farther away.

Aiden, Marley’s brother, checked me in and gave me directions to my room. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why?” I shouldn’t have asked when I knew I looked like shit.

“I thought you were with Marley and Heath on the Telluride trip”

“I was. I came home early to work.” It wasn’t a lie. Not exactly. I was working.

His forehead wrinkled. “Aren’t you living in Heath’s cabin?”

This is why I should have gone through the trouble of booking a room at a chain. I wouldn’t have to have a discussion about why I needed a hotel room. This place was too small. I picked up my suitcase, hoping it would cut off any further questions. “Not anymore.”

Aiden came around the counter and took my suitcase. “I’ll just show you to your room.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Aiden shrugged. “Eh. I’m going to it anyway.”

I cursed under my breath but followed him to the grand staircase.

“Why don’t you come down for a drink? I could use a friendly face. Running the inn without Marley has been difficult.”

I found myself saying, “I can do that.”

His expression was grateful. “Get settled. I’ll order your beer.”

I nodded before I stepped inside the room. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It had recently been renovated and I was pleased to see it had its own bathroom.

I washed my face, changed my shirt, and then headed downstairs to the bar. There were paintings in the hallways and the main areas of the hotel of the gardens and the inn itself. They were a nice touch.

When I joined Aiden at the bar, my beer was already on the empty counter. I immediately wrapped my hand around it and drank deeply.

“That’s Holly’s work. She’s talented.”

I was sure I grunted in response. Then I tried to fix it. “They’re a nice touch.”

---