Page 4 of Sutton and the CEO's Baby

“Why do I get the feeling that this is going to completely rock my world?”

Candice scrunched her nose. “Why are those swingers in their late sixties getting more ass that I am?”

I thought that considering Alice and Reena to be anywhere near late sixties was a gift. But that wasn’t what I wanted to talk to her about. I really wanted to know what happened back there, but I wasn’t sure if she was willing to share yet.

“Who?” I tried to think. “Not Father Montgomery?”

Candice squealed in disgust. “Eww, no! It was actually your old pal Max.”

“Mad Max? Why, he must be ten years younger than they are! What in the hell is going on?” I could hardly believe the words coming out of her mouth. “There is no way that Max is hooking up with those girls.”

Candice just laughed. Leaning back in her chair, she shrugged. “I am telling you, after living in Otterville Falls for these past few months, nothing surprises me anymore. Not even the sex lives of two very scandalous ladies.”

“Wow, I am blown away.” I shook my head as if to clear it. “Any other news? How was everything when you left?”

Fidgeting, Candice pulled on her ear absentmindedly before replying, “Well, they are fully staffed at the diner and things seem to be running smoothly.”

“What about Knox?” I asked softly.

Her lip began to tremble, and her eyes filled with tears.

“No. No. No. Candice, what happened? I thought things were going well?”

It took her a minute to gain her composure. “I would tell you I don’t want to talk about it, but the truth is that I have to say something to someone. I feel like there are so many things bottled up inside of me. Maybe if I let a little bit out, I can actually take a deep breath.”

I nodded. “You can tell me anything.”

She continued, “I can’t believe I was so stupid. I really thought he actually cared for me. I should never have stayed out there. What kind of pathetic girl chases after a man—no, moves her entire world across the country—for someone that doesn’t give a damn?”

“Candice, are you sure he doesn’t love you?”

She laughed bitterly. “He made it quite clear. I feel like such a fool.”

“I’m going to kick his ass,” I blurted out, rising to my feet. My stomach lurched, and I had to hold still for the slightest of moments while the world settled. Then I was in rampage mode again. “He won’t get away with this!”

“No!” Candice wailed. “You have to swear to me, Sutton, not to say anything. Please don’t get involved. I just want it to be over. My time in Otterville Falls was a fantasy. I don’t belong there. Honestly, I couldn’t have lived in your trailer for the rest of my life. It is better this way, I promise!”

I wanted to argue. “Candice, I hate seeing you like this. I hate that he hurt you. I never would have believed it of him.”

She shrugged. “It’s not his fault. He didn’t do anything. I had expectations, but he couldn’t live up to them, and it’s not like I have the right to demand that he do anything. There were no promises broken.”

“I don’t give a damn about promises and expectations. I care about you. Be honest, Candice, do you need to take some time?”

Candice shook her head emphatically. “The last thing I need is to spend more time with my own thoughts. What I need to do is bury myself in the work. I need to forget about Otterville Falls. There is no future in it.”

“Did he break your heart?”

Her glassy eyes met mine, and I had my answer.

“I am going to kick his fucking ass!”

She gave me a tremulous smile. “I really missed you, Sutton. I know that I should have told you earlier what was going on. I guess I was afraid even then that what he felt for me wasn’t enough. When I was little, my parents would give us oranges at Christmas. And I don’t know what it was about that orange, but I would always hide it away, afraid that someone would take it from me. By the time I went to eat it, the fruit had always turned bad. I think what happened with Knox was the same way. I desperately tried to hide it and somehow ruined everything in the process. I feel like my heart has been ripped from my chest. It’s my own damn fault.”

Candice heaved a sigh. “Enough about me, let’s talk about you. When were you going to tell me about this?”

She motioned to my abdomen.

I tried to look busy shuffling papers on my desk. “What are you talking about?”

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