Page 43 of Loving My Enemy

“No, we won’t.”

I knew I messed up and I knew it was bad because Elka hadn’t just gone silent, she’d shut down. Completely. “Elka, please.”

“You did this.” Her words were so quiet I could barely hear them over the growing noise all around as the town began to show up for the cook-off. “I thought things were different, that you’d stopped trying to dig up dirt on me. But you didn’t.”

“Elka, please.” I reached for her, but she shrugged away from my touch. “I didn’t know.”

“You must have had a good laugh,” she said, a bitter kind of amusement on her face and in her voice. “Stupid Elka thinking you were interested when you were just trying to prove some point to yourself. You got me good, Antonio. Another lesson learned.”

“It wasn’t like that. I thought I was helping.”

She glared up at me, something almost like hate shining in her eyes. “Even after I told you everything?”

“I called them before that morning,” I admitted, albeit reluctantly. “You were clearly hurting and I wanted to help.”

“No, you wanted to know what I was hiding and now you have it all. Every sordid detail. I’m sure my parents will fill you in on everything you need to know, Antonio.” She shook her head and angrily wiped away a tear. “I can’t believe I thought I was in love with you.”

“Elka, let’s—”

“You should go, Antonio.” I tried to talk to her, to make her listen, but Elka was beyond that now. “You’ve fulfilled your obligation as a Hometown Hero and I’ll be sure to let Janey know. Oh, hang on.” She cleaned her hands and dug into her back pocket where she produced her phone. After snapping a few images and typing on her screen, she glanced up at me briefly. “Required photos for the day also sent.” She turned herback to me once more and I didn’t have the heart to stay when the tears began.

I was as asshole and I didn’t deserve her, but hearing her say she loved me changed everything. I would find a way to make this right.

I had to.

Chapter 26

Elka

The past few days had been a whirlwind and I’d spent them holed up in the cottage that was still mine. Just mine. For now, anyway.

Fulfilling and packing orders had taken up most of my day but the sound of the bell upstairs provided the perfect excuse to take a break. Wiping sweat from my brow, I pushed away from my work table with a deep sigh and I made my way to the door. “Penny. This is a nice surprise. Come on in.” I’d gotten calls from Janey and Nina, Max and even Bo, congratulating me on the chili cook-off.

Penny was put together, as usual, wearing a deep-pink dress that fit her like a glove. She stepped inside and kicked off her heels before hugging me close. She pulled back and glanced around the living room. Filled with boxes. “Was coming in second place so bad that you have to leave town?”

I let out a shaky laugh at her attempt at humor. “Actually, second place feels pretty damn good. Kind of like first.” I’d never really competed in anything other than video and word games against Austin, so that second place ribbon and gold-plated chili pot felt incredible.

“But you’re still leaving.” There was hurt and disappointment in her voice and I hated that I might have hurt her.

I nodded. “I am but maybe the second time is the charm. Starting over in Tulip didn’t work out so well so I’ll try someplace else. But don’t worry, all of the things I volunteered for have been taken care of.” I could leave town knowing that I wouldn’t leave anyone hanging.

“I don’t give a damn about any of that. I mean, thanks for doing it, but why are you leaving? I thought we were friends and you’re just up and leaving. Would you have said anything if I hadn’t stopped by?”

“I would have,” I insisted, even though I didn’t know for certain if that was the truth. “But I haven’t made any decisions beyond leaving. I don’t have a destination in mind or a place to live.”

She frowned and I motioned her inside. “Then why are you packing?”

“Because packing makes it feel real to me. It’s a constant reminder that I need to do better on my next move, maybe not draw as much attention to myself. Choose a town that’s a little bigger than Tulip.” A place where nosy cops had actual criminals to worry about.

I could feel the weight of her stare on me as I pulled grilled veggies from the fridge for lunch. “Antonio is in hell too, you know. If that makes you feel better.”

“It doesn’t, but thanks for trying.” I didn’t care that Antonio felt like crap; he should be happy since he finally got everything he was looking for. “He betrayed me, Penny. I thought things were different but they’re not.” They never were. “Besides, I’m sure my parents have spouted their lies all over town to anyone who’ll listen. I’m done here.”

“Are you sure?”

Absolutely not, but I nodded. “I can’t stay, Penny.”

She pulled an envelope from her purse with a sympathetic smile. “I’m afraid that you have to, for the time being anyway. This came across the mayor’s desk this morning.”

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