Page 16 of Secret Love

“Slowly but surely, it’s coming together. You know us, we want to make everything so special, so it’s taking forever,” Wyndham says. “Last weekend, we made a firepit out of the river rock from our backyard.”

I shake my head. “It’s going to be fabulous, you guys. Whatever you do will be.”

“That’s what Bree says too.” Wyndham shrugs. “But I think she’s secretly tired of all the projects.”

“She didn’t know what she was signing up for when she agreed to be our wedding planner.” Greer laughs.

“She can handle it.” I laugh too. “Let me know if you need help with anything. I have time right now, you know.”

Wyndham nods mischievously. “I’ll put you to work.”

“I’m getting out of here,” I tease.

When I walk out, I stick a box of cinnamon rolls in my truck and take the other box inside. I nearly back out but pause when Tru walks to the counter. Jacklyn is on the other side of the room, and the girls are putting their things in their bags.

I hold the box out to Tru without saying anything. She looks up at me reluctantly.

“What’s this?” she asks.

“Take a look,” I tell her.

She opens it and gasps softly when she sees the cinnamon rolls.

“They look spectacular,” she whispers.

“Wait until you taste them,” I say.

“They’re for me?” Her mouth parts in surprise.

I nod. “Think of it as one more apology for how I acted the other day.”

Her cheeks flush and she looks down at the cinnamon rolls again.

“Thank you,” she says. She turns and puts them in a little cubby where I see her purse and sweater. “I’ll be getting into those the first chance I get,” she says, and there’s not a smile on her face, but thereisa softening in her expression toward me.

I’ll take it.

CHAPTER SIX

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER = BRINNER

TRU

Well, this form of an apology is one I will never turn down.

After I’m home from dance class, I open the box of cinnamon rolls from Henley and inhale the sugary goodness. When I sink my mouth around the buttery, cinnamon deliciousness, I close my eyes and can’t even believe how good it tastes. No one has ever given me cinnamon rolls before and I appreciate that he remembered me buying them the day we met.

It’s too soon to let my guard down, but I sure don’t mind the way he’s going about trying to make things right.

Jacklyn raved about Henley after he left, and she also mentioned that he’s divorced. I couldn’t tell if she was saying it for my benefit or if she’s crushing on him herself, honestly, but knowing he’s single makes me feel a lot better about the flirtation between us that first time we met. I’m not interested in him now…but is he raising three daughters alone? What’s the story there?

When I get out of the shower later, I have another cinnamon roll for dinner. The things are massive, so it will be all I’m eating tonight, but I savor every bite. I watch a movie and wonder if I should do more to show my appreciation, but I did thank him already, so I don’t know that I have to make any more of an effort.

It wouldn’t be that hard to find him around here.

Nope. I’m not going out of my way. If I’m supposed to see him, I will. I’ve already run into him three times without trying, and God knows I need to keep my distance from a man like him. His dreaminess could find a way to soften my heart a little too easily.

Sunday afternoon, I get a call from Mr. Hanson, the principal at school, asking if I can come in early Monday morning, and if I’m free to work there all week. I’m hopeful that they’re going to ask me to stay, but I try not to get too far ahead of myself.

---