Page 7 of Tempting Promises
“Yes, but I’m busy on the farm, and it’s really not a good idea to go away right now.” I try because it’s partially true. I had to let go of one of my last ranch hands this morning. I can’t afford him. I was able to keep one, because he agreed to do whatever tasks I needed as long as he could stay in the back house rent free. So, while I’m losing the rental income that was helping me pay my mortgage, my only paying ranch hand more than makes up for it.
Basically, I can pay the electric this month and worry about the next one later.
“Please, we know that the boys can handle it. Come on, Char, you haven’t come the last two years, and each time, when we get back, you bitch about how you wish you went. You deserve a little fun.”
Faye doesn’t really understand what it means to work and have responsibilities. She’s grown up with a silver spoon in her perfect lips, even if she doesn’t act like it. Her father is a sought-after plastic surgeon who makes ridiculous money. She goes and does as she wants and no one says a word. However, she’s one of the kindest and most selfless people I know. One who is constantly supporting the charities and foundations that need her.
She’s like a fairy princess, sprinkling her happiness all over.
“Fun and running a business don’t really go hand in hand. Since becoming certified organic, it’s a ton of work. Like, a ton,” I remind her.
She pulls out a shirt. “Ha! I knew I left it here.”
Looking at it, I’m incredibly confused. “In what, eighth grade?”
“Tenth, but it’s still cute. We’ll call it vintage.” Faye sits on the bed next to me, flopping back so we’re both staring up at the ceiling. “Do you remember when we used to do this as kids? Wish on the stars on your ceiling.”
I turn my head to face her. “You always wished for a boy.”
“And you always wished for a horse. I’m wondering if that wasn’t the first sign of your issues.”
“Yeah, wanting a horse instead of a boy, totally an issue,” I say with a laugh.
Faye sighs. “I worry about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you? You seem out of it the last few months. You know you can talk to me, right?”
I do know she thinks that, but I can’t. Faye would jump in and fix it, no questions asked. She’d pay all my bills, and I would forever owe her. I can’t do that. Through the years of our friendship, I’ve seen so many people use her for her money or connections. Her father is a plastic surgeon for A-list celebrities. She lives a pretty amazing life thanks to his funds, and everyone wants to be in Faye’s life just for a chance to be at a party with her. I’ll never give her a reason to think I’m like them.
So, I give her what truth I can. “I miss my grandparents. I miss my sister. I miss the way life was easier when they were all around.”
She kisses the tip of my nose and then taps it. “You still have me.”
“I do.”
“But I get it. Aurora isn’t far, though. She can come home and visit, can’t she?”
I sit up, groaning as I do. “She could, but she won’t because of Rowan.”
“It’s been like, two years already, why is she still letting him bother her?” Faye asks the million-dollar question.
“No idea, he’s not even that hot.”
My friend laughs. “And that’s a lie too. He’s ridiculously hot. We all know that, but he’s a player. No one wants to date him, but we all want to fuck him.”
I roll my eyes. “Gross.”
“Tell me you don’t.”
“I don’t,” I say immediately.
“Oh, please! I am so not buying that. If Rowan Whitlock wasn’t your sister’s ex, and you didn’t think he was a total douchebag, you wouldn’t want to bang him?”
I really hate the direction this conversation is taking. “Sure, if he was a totally different guy inside his body, I guess.”
Faye sighs dreamily. “I’d totally let him rock my world.”
