Page 40 of The Lucky One

While herding goats.

Pretty sure I’ll never find another woman like her, and I don’t think I ever want to.

fifteen

BRIDGET

Ever After Farmsis abuzz with activity.

There’s still enough of a chill in the air this morning that I can enjoy the Golden Clover Hot Chocolate I picked up from the Storybook Cafe as soon as we got here. Food isn’t my forte, but the rich white hot chocolate has notes of caramel and cinnamon that I’d never have thought to pair. When the barista was finishing it, I watched her sprinkle gold flakes across the foam before putting the lid on.

It’s why this place thrives. Not just the farm, but the whole town. There’s no detail left to the imagination. When they celebrate something, they celebratebig.

The cute little tables out front of the cafe are covered in craft pieces, with a chalkboard advertising ‘How to Catch a Leprechaun’. There’s a few reading nooks outside, with green shamrock and rainbow shaped pillows. No one is here yet, so I plan on walking around for a few minutes, check out all the fun offerings they’ll have for this holiday.

“What is this?” Laila hisses, grabbing me by the elbow and yanking me around the main building of the cafe.

She shoves her phone in my face, and I blink back at photos of Weston and me. Lots of photos.

Hollow Hub has beenbusybusy.

“I assume you’re looking for a less obvious answer than what you see,” I say, glancing up at her.

Laila’s mouth is pressed into a hard line.

“I think that goes without saying.”

I’ve been avoiding this conversation since I got here, with short answers and strategic photos to make it look like I’ve been having the time of my life relaxing and enjoying the town. I should’ve known that this place practically has eyes and ears everywhere.

“Wait wait!” Ella cries, breathless as she rounds the corner. “Don’t start without me.”

I sigh. “You two really are the worst.”

“There’s a very handsome gentleman over there that told me your carbon copy kidnapped you and I’d find you back here.” Ella is absolutely delighted with this development and I wish she’d take it down a couple of notches.

“Wait, so he's cuteandfunny? I like what I’m hearing so far,” Laila says.

“Can you both please stop talking about me like I’m not here?” I snap.

Both of them freeze, shock on their faces.

Fine. I don’t normally snap at them. They’re used to quiet, don’t disrupt the peace Bridget. Neither of them have contributed to it, but I’ve felt like a third wheel for so long I don’t remember any different.

Mom bossed me around, Andrew had expectations—in the last week, I’ve been front and center in someone else’s life and I don’t want to go back.

Ever.

“This is Weston,” I say, holding up the phone and pointing to a photo. “It’s sort of a long story, but we actually met at Holly’s wedding. He plays with Cade.”

Ella’s eyes are bright and wide while Laila’s mouth is hanging open. They don’t look like they have anything to contribute yet—which is awesome—so I continue.

“Andrew and I broke up last month—I’m fine, by the way. I came here and booked the Wanderlust Refuge and Weston was already there. Funny story. Double booked by magic I guess. Anyway, we’ve spent the week experiencing Enchanted Hollow and now here we are. I’m here to build a leprechaun trap with my niece and he wanted to meet you two.”

I exhale a huge breath as the weight lifts from my shoulders. That felt so much better than I thought it would.

Laila is fighting back a laugh. “You were double booked at the Wanderlust? Stuck together? All week long?”

“Apparently there’s no rooms available anywhere.” I shrug.

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