Page 2 of Merrily Mine
Divorce?I blinked. “I wasn’t gonethatlong, was I?” Did I somehow wake up in an alternate dimension?And why was my heart racing just from hearing the news?
She patted me on the shoulder. “Well, if you need anything, I’m sure he’d be happy to help.”
An offer I wouldn’t think about too much. “Thanks, Mom.” I looked down at my watch. “What time do you need to leave for the airport?” I’d offered to take them, but they’d turned me down, citing icy roads. I hated driving when it iced over. There was a lot of snow in the weather forecast this week, and I planned to spend most of it curled up inside, watching old Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate.Was it too earlyto spike it?I contemplated the thought. It was five o’clock somewhere, right?
My dad placed his mug in the sink, now empty, and came over to stand in front of us. “Our car is coming in ten minutes.” He wrapped his arm around my mom’s waist. “Assuming your mom is ready to go.” Dad winked at me.
Mom rolled her eyes at him, patting him on the chest. “Of course I am, honey. Suitcases are packed and by the door.”
He pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Then let our daughter be. She’ll be just fine, sweetheart.”
She sighed, taking a step towards the door before turning back to me. “The fridge is fully stocked, and I gave the housekeeper two weeks off, but if you need her?—”
“Mom.” This time, I laughed. “I can clean up after myself. It’s fine. Stop panicking.”
“You should have seen her in the OR,” my dad grumbled. God, I could only imagine how amazing it would be to see her in the operating room, taking charge.
Not that I’d want to see anyone’s insides—I was firmlynota fan of blood or other bodily fluids. There was a reason my older brother was the doctor of the three of us and not me.
I smirked. “Alright, you two. Go on your tropical vacation and have an amazing time. Soak up some sun for me.” I wouldn’t get any here. Not when the ground was already covered in a few inches of snow, and the Montana winter wouldn’t be kind to me. Sure, I’d lived here my entire life, but in the last few years, I’d become somewhat of a wimp. I blamed all the time I spent in warmer climates. I wasn’t above shoving my feet in a second pair of wool socks to keep them warm. “Have a pineapple drink for me,” I said, all but pushing them out the door. “I’ll be fine, I promise!”
After my parents were finally gone—one last hug and reassurance later—the house was empty.
Yeah, I was ready for my two weeks of silence. My content was scheduled and all of my brand contracts were fulfilled, meaning all I had to do for the next two weeks was…nothing.
God, that sounded nice. Scratch what I said before—I wasseriouslyglad I’d agreed to come home for Christmas.
My Kindle was loaded full of books, including the new one that my brother Benjamin’s wife, Angelina, had illustrated the cover for. Both she and my other sister-in-law, Gabbi, were best friends with the author, Noelle Harper. I’d gotten to know her pretty well myself over the last six years since she’d been a bridesmaid at both of my brother’s weddings. Which was how I’d become obsessed with her writing. I definitely was looking forward to getting lost in the new love story she’d written. Her heroes were always swoon-worthy, and that was more than I could say for the guys in my life. Was it so much to ask that I found a man likethat?
At least I’d have my books to keep me company.
Sitting on the couch, I looked at the space where a tree normally sat. They hadn’t put one up this year since they’d be gone, and I had to admit, the space felt a little lonely without the warm lights and presents underneath the tree. Not that I needed one just for me. It felt frivolous, especially when I’d already shot all my Christmas content earlier this week.
Pulling a blanket over my lap, I stared out the large picture windows that looked over our property. It was a beautiful winter day, with the sun high in the sky making the snow sparkle, and the pine trees standing tall past our pastures and horse barn.
The barn where my horse, Smokey, the beautiful dappled gray, waited for me. When I’d gotten back from my last trip, I promised myself—and her—that I’d start taking her out for daily rides again. Maybe the fresh air would be good for me. Help me figure out what was next.
After all, I never imagined I’d be twenty-eight and still single.
Dating apps wereuseless, and I’d given up on the idea of meeting someone in a bar or while traveling. Hookups might have been fun at first, but they’d never amounted to anything. And though my parents had offered to set me up—multiple times,might I add—with the single doctors that worked at their hospital, I’d always turned them down.
“Stop chasing the fairytale,” I muttered out loud to myself. But was it so wrong that all I wanted was a man who was obsessed with me? One who wasn’t just the love of my life, but also my best friend. Someone I could talk to for hours without getting bored, who would get down on his knees and worship me.
The last one might have been the romance novels talking, but damn, I missed sex. I missedgoodsex. And I certainly wouldn’t find someone to hook up with at a bar in town. Not when the chances of running into someone I went to high school with were high. Or someone who knew my parents or my brothers, and…
Safe to say, the only orgasms I was going to be getting were battery powered ones. Though I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity if it came knocking.
I sighed, smoothing a hand down my face. “You’re a mess, Emily Sullivan. Nothing has changed. Of course, the perfect man wasn’t waiting on your doorstep to sweep you off your feet. That kind of thing only happens in romance novels.” I paused. “Or Hallmark movies.”
Maybe I should adopt a dog. Especially if I was going to stop traveling all the time. I needed to get a place of my own and act like an actual adult, even though I had no clue what I was going to do with my life now. It wasn’t like I had acareer. Social media was all I knew. I was tired of influencing, but what else did I have?Nothing.
Snuggling up under my blanket, I opened my book on my Kindle, getting lost in the story of a witch falling in love witha wolf shifter. I’d already read a few chapters before my phone buzzed with a text from my best friend, Hannah. We’d become friends in middle school and had been glued at the hip ever since.
Hannah
Hey! How’s it going? You’re back in town, right?
Emily
