Page 71 of What We Keep
“Are you planning to rebuild on your parents’ old property?” Amelia asked.
I shrugged, throwing my hands up and letting them fall. “That’s the plan. But it’s kind of a long-shot plan. For now, I’m staying at Heartfire Falls.”
“And Haven’s in love with her,” Chloe interjected, sooooo not-helpfully.
“Chloe!” I yelped.
She shrugged, clearly not feeling any guilt about putting my business in front of this whole group.
Josie’s smile was warm from across the table. “He totally is. Let’s just be honest.”
“I sense a story. What is it?” Madison asked.
I tried not to cry, although I could feel the tears threatening and had to blink them away. “He’s being a little overbearing.” I quickly summarized the whole situation about Brad, ending with, “And Haven butted in. I can deal with it.”
“What’s the deal with Brad?” Maisie asked.
“He’s my ex, and he’s an asshole. It’s kind of my specialty, dating assholes.” I let out another sigh. “It’s been a long time, but I’m sure you all remember, my dad was…” I tapped my fingers on the table. “Quirky? His quirkiness is what killed him. I’m all about people being a little offbeat, but he died because of his own stupidity. Drives me nuts. Anyway, even though he grudgingly let my mom send me to school, I never really got to have regular friendships or date. It wasn’t because he was controlling. He was just a dumbass.” I rolled my eyes. “To be honest, I was always embarrassed about bringing people out for a slumber party or something like that, and he was always worried about me being exposed to, you know, regular life. God love the man. He was a sweetheart but totally misguided. All this to say, I don’t think it helped me with my judgment in men, mostly because I just wanted the chance to have regular things in my life. So it’s not like Brad was anything unusual, except that he just took advantage of me. I have no idea how he found out about me owning the property in Anchorage. Now, he wants to use it as collateral.” I shrugged. “But it’s the kind of thing he would want to do.”
“I don’t like Brad.” Josie narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t either. Not even a little,” Amelia said.
“So let me get this straight. You’re upset with Haven for getting in the middle?” Phoebe prompted.
“I guess. I can deal with Brad. I really can,” I insisted.
“Of course, you can,” Madison said matter-of-factly. “But what’s wrong with Haven helping? Based on what you’ve described, Brad seems like the kind of guy who would back off more easily with a man. Sometimes it’s helpful. Haven can use his privilege in a good way.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay, that makes sense.”
“Like, say in a bar fight, I’m not that tall,” Lucy pointed out. “It’s probably helpful if somebody bigger than me gets in the middle of it. Brad isn’t physically threatening you, but he sounds like a class-A asshole who might pull some shit behind the scenes. And Haven’s an attorney, even though we all kind of forget that. He’s also a tough guy.”
“I wouldn’t mess with him,” Maisie offered with a wry smile.
“I know, right?” I let out a little snort. “I do forget he’s an attorney. He’s sharp and smart. He handles all the paperwork for the resort and everything, and fights fires on the side.”
“Let him make Brad feel small,” Tish said with a grin.
“Important question: are you in love with him?” Madison leaned forward, her gaze soft and understanding as she looked at me.
Emotion rushed through me, and I burst into tears. “Yes. And now I have to fix it.” I sniffled.
“Okay, well, fix it,” Luna said with an airy wave.
“I don’t know what to do,” I mumbled, feeling sheepish. Someone thrust a box of tissues in my direction, and I snagged a few to blow my nose and dab at my eyes.
“There is this thing called having a conversation. Crazy idea, I know,” Chloe offered dryly.
A laugh sputtered out as I looked at her. “Wow.”
“Just talk to him. Let him chase Brad away. You can hold your own,” she said encouragingly.
“You already did,” Madison pointed out. “You dumped Brad, right?”
I cleared my throat, nodding vigorously. “I did. Such a dick.”
“When is the resort officially opening? Those Silver boys must be up to their eyeballs in work right now,” Lucy chimed in.
