Page 73 of Pity Parade

“Not right away,” I tell her. “Unless you want to move to Elk Lake and build a lodge with me.”

“I’d rather eat my own foot,” she grumbles.

I can’t help but laugh at that. “Let me know how it goes with Allan, will you?”

“You’re taking my calls now, huh?”

“Absolutely. You’re like a sister to me, Shel. I’d do anything for you.”

“Anything but build a skyscraper and be in business with me.” She sounds more disappointed than mad.

“For now, anyway.” Then I tell her, “When you leave the Bahamas, you and Allan should take the kids to Paris. When you’re done there, take them to Italy. Make this summer the best time of your family’s life.”

“You’d better watch out,” she threatens, “or I might bring them to Elk Lake and let them give you a run for your money.”

“I’d love that, Shel. I really would.”

“You’re a hard man to stay mad at, Heath.”

“Good,” I tell her. “I should be back in Wisconsin in a few days, so don’t show up before then.”

After hanging up, I realize it’ll probably take me a week to alert everyone that our intentions have changed. Most of the time will be spent making calls and telling the handful of employees we keep on staff that their jobs are ending. I’ll pay them through the summer and make sure they have great references, so who knows, they might even be happy about the news.

When I’m done pulling out of my Chicago affairs, I’ll go back to Elk Lake a new man. I know Trina’s seeing Daniel, but after our last day together, I also know that her heart isn’t in it. She and I have something special together and I can’t wait to tell her I’m no longer looking for a casual relationship. I can’t wait to tell her that I’m ready to commit.

Because she’s the one I want to commit to.

CHAPTER THIRTY

TRINA

I have no idea where Heath has been for the past few days, but he seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. I’ve been over to Daniel’s twice and there’s been no sign of Heath next door. His car isn’t even there. I’ve been tempted to call him, but what would I say? Just checking in to make sure you’re still mourning? No, thank you.

If Heath can pour out his heart to me, kiss me, and still disappear without a word, I definitely need to resist the hold he seems to have on me.

Daniel, on the other hand, has gone out of his way to show me what a good boyfriend he’d make, which makes me think it might be time to tell him I’m behind the contest that brought him here. I know I could just let it go, but I don’t want to start something for real based on a lie.

I’m not going to tell him today though. I’ve seen him the last two days and I need another breather day to make sure I’m not rushing into anything—even though rushing is exactly what I should be doing to get out of the show with Tom. And while that’s still my main motivation, somewhere along the line I seem to have decided I want to find love for real.

Looking at the clock, I discover I’m running late. I called Trent, the landscape designer, yesterday, and told him I had a nice woman I’d like to introduce him to. While he was surprised to hear from me, he was more surprised I was trying to set him up. He said, “It’s not you though, right?” It was hard not to take offense even though I’m not interested in him in that way.

After assuring him it’s not me, he agreed to meet me for lunch at the country club. I invited Paige to come along so there would be less pressure on Trent and Prim if they didn’t feel any kind of love connection.

I pull my hair into a ponytail before slipping on a dress and applying my lipstick. Then I grab my purse and hurry over to the clubhouse. Paige is waiting in the lobby when I get there. “Hey!” I give her a hug. “Thanks for coming.”

“I never turn down the opportunity for a patty melt.” Then she asks, “How are things going with Daniel?”

“Really good,” I tell her. “Surprisingly so, considering I wasn’t excited about him after the first day.”

She shrugs. “It can take time to reconnect with someone.”

Once we’re seated, I tell her, “He’s a lot different now. In fact, I’d go so far as to say he’s downright interesting.”

“And he wasn’t when you knew him before?”

“Not like he is now. He claims that back then he was still insecure about things his ex-girlfriend had said to him. She made him feel like he couldn’t be himself.”

Paige shakes her head. “People really screw each other up, don’t they?”

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