Page 74 of Secret Love

But you ended it,I remind myself.You said it was best to not see each other until the summer, if then.

But why did he have to go and listen to me?

I park in front of The Fairy Hut to meet the girls and am glad for the distraction tonight. Sadie invited Calista and Elle while we were together at the book store yesterday and I’m excited to spend time with all of them again, Felicity too.

When I walk in, Sadie and Felicity are already at a table and they wave me over. Felicity stands up to hug me and then I hug Sadie too before sitting down.

“This is such a cute place.” I look around, taken in by the whimsical decor.

The doors and windows are arched, and it looks like it could be the same builder who designed Henley’s kitchen with the unique wooden turrets.

Calista and Elle come in while I’m laughing about the menu. The names are hilarious.

“Don’t be scared off by the names of things,” Elle says, when I repeatCow Slobber Soup?under my breath.

“Beyond the Goat Hollow has become my signature drink,” Sadie says, laughing. “I couldn’t tell you what all is in it…too many things to remember…but it’s delicious.”

Sadie and Felicity talk about their day with the wedding plans and both have us laughing hysterically over Felicity’s Type-A level of organization and Sadie’s go-with-the-flow, keep-things-simple mentality. They're a riot together and I love that they're gonna be sisters-in-law because you can tell they adore one another. Henley has told me just a little bit about Sadie. She lost her sister unexpectedly, so I'm really glad she has people she cares about in her life who have helped her through this healing process. They all seem like such great people. I find out too that Rhodes has a little boy named Levi who Elle is crazy about.

“So you guys are best friends, or is there maybe more?” I ask.

Everyone stops and looks at Elle as she shakes her head and laughs.

“No, we're just friends. We've always just been friends. And we’ll only ever be friends. He’s always been hands-off, but now that I’m trying out for a spot on the Mustangs cheer team, that settles it!” She laughs and does a little dance in her seat. “The cheerleaders can’t associate with the players.”

“What? I didn’t know you’re a cheerleader! It makes sense though. You arehot,” I say.

They all laugh, and Elle’s cheeks flush. “Thank you. We’ll see if I get far enough. And I’m surrounded by hotties,” she says. “I’ve been in a relationship for a long time with Bernard, but—” She and Calista exchange a look.

“But we're trying to talk her out of that one, me and Rhodes,” Calista says. “Have been for a while.”

Elle makes a face. “Yeah, she's not lying. He's not their favorite. And not mine right now either.” She shakes her head. She's quiet for a few minutes after that and the conversation turns to Henley.

“Have you heard from him?” Sadie asks.

“No, nothing, but I can't blame him. I told him we should end things.” I swallow hard. “It's my fault and I knew we were a bad idea to begin with, but?—”

I hear a loud burst of laughter coming through the door and turn to seethefive men from the Colorado Mustangs walking in together, looking like every woman's fantasy.

Every woman in the restaurant turns and looks their way. It's like a collective pause that takes place, the noisy chatter dying down to a bated breath of anticipation. I watch as they sit down not too far from us, and Weston and Sadie make eye contact. He blows her a kiss and she blows one back.

“Did you plan this?” I ask her.

“No, I swear I didn’t,” she says, laughing. “But there are only so many places you can go in Silver Hills without running intosomeone you know. I did plan the other time…and the time before that.” She laughs. “But not tonight, I promise.”

I'm laughing when I look at Henley and he catches me staring at him. He looks serious and like he hasn't slept since our night together. I haven't slept much either, so I know the feeling. He still looks so good, but I feel the weight of his sad eyes on me and stand up suddenly, moving toward the restroom. I need to get away from here or I will be tempted to jog over there and crawl into his lap.

I rinse my face with cold water, shake my hands out, jump around, wiggling my arms as I try to psych myself out in the mirror.

“You can do this. He's just a very hot, sexy man that you like so much and had a life-altering night with. You can be in the same room with him and not jump him. You can be in the same room with him and not look desperate. You’ve got this.”

I point at myself once more emphatically before I walk out and run right into Henley Ward.

Damn, he feels so good.

“Hey,” he says, looking down at me.

His hands steady my shoulders.

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