Page 76 of Tempting Promises
Yeah, my fuck buddy. “I know, one is my neighbor.”
“His farm is significantly bigger than yours.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean that it’s better. I produce high quality, organic milk. Which no other farm in this area does. I’m certified, which means that while you may pay a little more, you get to charge a lot more. This isn’t some new wave of consumers who want organic for their children, this trend isn’t going anywhere.”
At least, that’s what Faye convinced me of and I’m dying on this hill. Literally.
He inhales and walks around a bit. “I agree, the organic market is only growing, which is the major appeal in working with you.”
I smile confidently, even though I feel anything but that. “I won’t let you down.”
“You know, I believe you wouldn’t.”
And I pray that means I have the best shot at this.
“I’m sorry, Charlotte,” Aurora says again on our video chat. I’ve avoided her calls the past few weeks, still angry about the way she acted the first night I slept at Rowan’s.
Since things have...well, changed, my anger has subsided and been more guilt and self-hatred for breaking the code of sisterhood.
I should not have slept with Rowan—several times. The worst was me going there last night. It wasn’t some mistake in the woods. It was me showing up there, with a hat that wasn’t even his, because I was feeling sad and alone.
Donny refused to fix the truck on a payment plan and ate all the food I brought. I don’t know what I’m going to do, and I’m falling apart at the seams.
“I’m more sorry,” I say, fighting back tears. “I was wrong to yell at you. You were concerned and I . . .”
“No, I was wrong. You’re right. You’re doing this on your own and I’m here, in New York because I hated small town living. I wanted to come back to where Mom and Dad raised us. Where we had food, fun, and options. You loved the life Granny and Pop had. I should’ve never ever thought you were doing anything with Rowan. I know you’d never be so stupid.”
Oh, how wrong you are, sister.
“Are you happy there?” I ask. There’s no way I can listen to her talk about how I didn’t or wouldn’t betray her because, that’s exactly what I did.
Not that it hasn’t been two years.
Not that she hasn’t spoken to him in that time or that they were ever really dating. At least not according to him.
But...in the end, none of that matters. She’s my sister and she was hurt by him.
God, I’m the worst human alive.
“I’m so happy here. I really like Ryan, too. He’s funny, sweet, and spoils me rotten. It’s amazing the difference dating a man who has his life together and isn’t slumming it on some farm.”
I let out a huff. “Slumming it on some farm?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she says quickly.
But she did. She always does.
“You seemed to like slumming it when you were here,” I remind her. With that same guy she hates and refuses to stop talking about.
“Again, I didn’t mean it like that, Charlotte. Please don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just different. I don’t go on dates in the woods and have sex by the creek. This is dress up and dinners at the best restaurants, shows, and so much more. Two nights ago, he sent a box with a dress and instructions on what to do. I showed up, completely unsure of what the hell was going on, and we went to this weird place that looked like a library. Then, oh my God, it was so cool. We said a password of some sort and they took us back where this door opened and it was a speakeasy!”
A part of me wants to yell at her, to tell her how shallow and ridiculous she sounds because, to me, a picnic and sex at the creek sounds pretty damn perfect. The idea of having to dress up and all that sounds complicated and over the top. It just further goes to show the difference between Aurora and myself.
“Well,” I say, refusing to fight with her. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“You could at least sound semi-happy for me.”
“I am happy for you.” I just think you’re a selfish twat.
