Page 20 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

Before I can answer, Maria laughs. “Long enough for those with the high and mighty attitude back in school to have calmed down. Life finds a way to humble us all, doesn’t it?”

“Uh, right.” I swallow hard. “It’s nice meeting you, but if you girls will excuse me.”

“Not so fast. It’s been so long.” Maria raises one eyebrow. “Or are you being snobbish and don’t want to be seen around us?”

I blow out a breath.

Rachel chimes in. “So, what brings you back to town?”

“I’m here for my brother’s wedding. I thought everyone knew that.” I manage to say, hoping that will end the interrogation.

They pretend to have forgotten about the wedding, and their chatter continues. The produce aisle now feels like a trap. I shift from one foot to the other, my patience wearing thin as Maria, Rachel, and Avery regale me with tales of their success in town all the years I was away.

Maria’s voice is particularly grating, like nails on a chalkboard. It’s getting late, and I need to get home to make breakfast. But I can’t just walk away. They’d relish spreading a rumor about me being rude.

Maria picks up a blackberry and pops it into her mouth, eyeing me with a smirk. “So, Emma, do you still think you’re the sweetheart of Harmony Creek?”

“I’ve never cared about being the sweetheart of Harmony Creek or anything, dear.”

Avery shakes her head and leans in. “Maybe you should care more. At least be a sweetheart of someone. Our parents used to bleed our ears with how you’re the perfect girl, and now it doesn’t look much like it.”

I open my mouth to respond, but Rachel cuts in. “Why are you still single, planning other people’s weddings while you haven’t even tied the knot yourself?”

“I don’t think I need to explain?—”

Avery jumps in, too. “Hey, Emma, can you plan a renewal of vows for me and my husband? It’s our tenth anniversary next month.”

I force a smile, trying to keep my tone even. “I’m just here for my brother and June’s wedding.”

Maria’s smirk widens. “Oh, right. So you can’t even spare some time for your friends?”

You’re so not my friends. I bite my tongue, refusing to speak the words.

I look around desperately for an escape, my mind racing. Then, my phone beeps. A message from an unsaved contact:

| Need help?

I look up and paste on a fake smile for the ladies. “Excuse me, please, I’ve got to…” I raise my phone, hoping they’ll take the hint and back off. Wishful thinking. Maria just smiles.

“Go ahead and answer. We’ll wait.”

I grit my teeth as I quickly type,

| Who is this?

The reply comes quickly.

| Someone who can save you.

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued and at the same time grateful that I can distract myself from the chirping voices around me.

| What do you mean?

| You’re stuck in the midst of vultures. I can come over and pull you out of their claws.

I stifle a smile and type back,

| I’d appreciate the help.

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