Page 115 of Chasing Forever
“Oh, no, we’re not starting that as a competition.”
Then I notice the woman with the purple glasses who was in my store that one time eyeing my table, and all the nerves double in my stomach.
Chapter Forty-Five
Brooks
I’m too busy laughing to notice a woman with purple glasses eyeing our table before she smiles and weaves through the crowd toward us.
“The mugs?” she says, voice full of excitement as she picks up one. “The daisy.”
I step back and let Lottie be the center of attention as she should be. She talks to the woman, apologizes, and openly confesses her fear of putting herself out there. It’s endearing to watch, and I’m so proud of the chances she’s taken in the last little while.
I saw her broken and shattered well over a decade ago, but she’s shown how strong she really is.
For the entire day, I admire Lottie from afar, helping her pack items when necessary, but never interrupting unless I’m directly asked a question. I try to be the strong wind at her back, although I’m not sure she needs me because she’s soaring all on her own. A constant stream of people come up to her and rave about her items.
After the last straggling customer leaves, she tackles me in a hug. Thankfully, I’m stronger than her. “Thank you so much. This was perfect and the push I needed. God, I’m so lucky to have you.”
“You would have done it at some point.”
She falls down to her heels and takes in the almost sold-out table. “I’m so happy I could burst.”
“Does this mean you might not be making me coffee every morning?”
She leans her head on my shoulder. “I’ll always make your coffee.”
“Good.” I kiss the top of her head. “Let’s go to dinner here in Lincoln and celebrate.”
“Sounds perfect.”
I couldn’t be happier with the way the day has turned out.
I’d been so scared, asking Romy to help me keep her distracted until I could get everything packed up in my truck. I now owe Bennett, Emmett, and Ben a night out at The Hidden Cave on me.
We pack up all her stuff, and I’m just shutting the tailgate of my truck when my phone vibrates.
I open my door, and Lottie’s already in her seat, putting on her seat belt. “I’m kind of sweaty and gross, so can we go somewhere not too nice? Maybe a bar-b-que place where we can eat outside.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket to look up a place nearby and blink when I see the message.
“What is it?” Lottie asks.
I turn my screen to face her, and she leans forward to read the text I just got from Ben.
Hey man, I know you’re in Lincoln, but I just wanted to let you know that I just saw your brother with your dad in town. Looked like he might have been campaigning with him or something.
Lottie’s face falls, and I’m sure mine is lined with anger. My dad called Holden home, I can almost guarantee it. The question is whether he’s just here for my dad or if he plans on messing with me too.
Chapter Forty-Six
Lottie
Brooks tosses his phone into the center console of his truck and jams the key into the ignition without a word. His hand lands on the back of my headrest as he looks over his shoulder to back out, never once looking at me.
Talk about going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Holden is back.
