Page 19 of Won’t Let You Get Away

I take a moment to contemplate her question, searching for the right words. But before I can answer, Bri continues speaking. “Sorry, I should be grateful that you’re agreeing with me, but I was expecting either a ‘there’s nothing to talk about’ or ‘it’s now or never’ type of response. Just forget it. I’ll come back in a couple days.”

As she turns to leave, I call out her name and immediately stop her in her tracks. “Bri,” I say firmly. “You asked for what you needed and who am I to deny that? If you need time, then take it. Pushing you when you’re not ready or in the right headspace won’t do either of us any good. Your well-being is more important than anything else. So take your time, rest and gather yourself. I’m not going anywhere.”

Even from a distance, I can see her bottom lip trembling as she nods and softly thanks me before hurrying out of the barn.

It isn’t until a few hours later when I’m mindlessly working in the barn that I realize how true my words were. Despite everything we’ve been through and all that we still need to discuss, Bri has me wrapped around her finger.

I’m not going anywhere.

SABRINA

“Damn girl, you didn’t waste any time taking over the office,” Addison quips.

“Half the reason I’m here to work.” I remind her sternly. But my annoyance dissipates when I see the binders in her hands. “Are those the numbers from Ma?”

“Yes. However, it feels like I should hold them hostage until you take a break from this place.” She playfully taunts, holding the binders close to her chest.

Frowning, I join her in looking around the room. My presence has taken over every surface—discarded sweaters, Post-it notes with tasks scribbled on them, and half-eaten takeout containers.

“You make it sound like I’m some sort of office troll.” I grumble, pushing my chair back and stretching.

“All you need is a messy bun and some cheese puffs and you’re there, Sis.”

“Thanks,” I sigh in annoyance. “Now I’ll be craving cheese puffs for the rest of the day.”

Addison rolls her eyes, dropping into the seat at the small table in the corner of the room and continues to guard the binders.

I’ve been working on updating my parents’ business plan for four days now. Their record-keeping system is outdated and disorganized, and it’s been a headache trying to make sense of it all. Folders and files are piled up on the floor in front of the book shelves across the room from my earlier search for last year’s payroll numbers. It’s frustrating to know that after all this effort, everything will eventually need to be digitalized or shredded.

“You’ve only been here for a week and you’re already getting lost in all of this,” Addison comments, gesturing to the cluttered table between us.

“It’s called doing my job,” I retort defensively.

“Yeah, but that’s all you’ve done!” She counters. “I didn’t bring you here just so you could bury yourself in work again.”

“Well, technically, I brought you since you didn’t drive,” I remind her with a smirk.

She scowls at me before closing her eyes and sighing deeply.

“This is exactly what you were doing back in the city, where you said you weren’t happy,” she presses on. “I can’t just sit back and watch you fall into that same routine.”

Shaking my head, I reach across the table and place my hand on top of hers.

“Trust me, this is different.”

“Are you sure? Because to me, it looks like you’re using work as a distraction and avoiding having a social life,” Addison voices her concern.

I bite my tongue, knowing she’s not entirely wrong. Work has been consuming most of my time, but it’s not because I’m trying to avoid having a social life.

It’s to avoid running into Noah. He promised to give me space after our initial encounter, and he’s kept his word. Well, except for his horse who greets me every morning at my front door, but that’s not his fault.

Tucker is the only one who knows about my complicated connection with Noah. While he handled the news gracefully and didn’t push me for more details, I know my family all too well. They’ll undoubtedly insert their opinions into my personal life once they find out, and I’m not ready for that yet. Not until I figure out how I truly feel.

“I’m not avoiding a social life,” I defend myself. “There just aren’t many options in this small town.”

Addison flashes a mischievous grin, causing nerves to flutter in my stomach.

Having been dragged to countless clubs and bars by my sister, I’ve come to recognize herlet’s cause chaoslook. And this is definitely it. “Oh no,” I mutter.

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