Page 40 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“Oh, my gosh, yes!” Poppy squealed, clapping her hands together. “More cowboys? Yes, please.”
Aubrey snorted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Of course that’s what you’re focusing on.”
Poppy placed a hand on her chest and said, dead serious, “As if there is anything elsetofocus on.”
Twelve
The next morning, the sunlight streaming through the curtains danced across Aubrey’s face, coaxing her awake. She stretched, savoring the rare luxury of a lazy Sunday morning. As consciousness fully returned, a ghost of a memory flitted through her mind—Gunner’s warm lips pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead at dawn—making her heart flutter.
She eventually got out of bed and padded barefoot to the kitchen. “A day off deserves a proper breakfast,” she mused, pulling ingredients from the fridge. Her hands moved with practiced ease, chopping vibrant bell peppers and whisking eggs for a frittata. The sizzle of bacon in the cast iron skillet filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma.
The coffee maker gurgled to life, its rich scent mingling with the savory breakfast smells. Aubrey took her time, setting the table with care. It was a far cry from the elegant place settings of her Atlanta restaurant days, but there was an intimacy to this simple act that touched her.
Footsteps in the hallway announced Willow’s arrival. She appeared in the doorway, hair tousled from sleep but eyes bright.
“Morning, sunshine,” Aubrey called out with a grin. “Perfect timing, breakfast is just about ready.”
Willow inhaled deeply, a smile spreading across her face. “It smells amazing in here. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Aubs.”
Aubrey waved away the comment as she plated the frittata. “Please, you know I live for this. Besides, we deserve a little pampering on our day off, don’t we?”
They settled at the table, and Aubrey took a sip of her coffee, savoring the rich flavor before setting the mug down.
Willow took a bite of the frittata and moaned in happiness. “Always so dang good.” She took another bite before saying, “It’s been so long since we’ve had a morning alone.” She gave Aubrey a long stare. “How’s things going with Gunner? You guys seem happy.”
“You know,” Aubrey began, her voice soft but steady, “I never thought I’d say this, but things with Gunner, they’re really good. Better than I could have imagined.”
Willow’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Oh? Do tell,” she encouraged, leaning forward slightly.
Aubrey felt a blush creep up her cheeks, but she continued. “I feel safe with him, which is not something I ever expected to feel again with any man.” Not after her handsy boss. Or her absent father.
Willow reached across the table, squeezing Aubrey’s hand. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve this.”
Aubrey smiled, feeling a weight lift off her chest. She’d been holding these feelings in, afraid to jinx things by speaking them aloud. But sharing with Willow felt good. Right, even.
“Thanks. It means a lot to hear you say that,” Aubrey replied, her voice thick with emotion.
Willow nodded, then bit her lip, seeming to contemplate something. Finally, she spoke. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something too. Eli and I have been talking about maybe moving in together.”
“Wow, that’s big!” Aubrey said. “How do you feel about it?”
“Excited, but also a little scared,” Willow admitted. “After everything I’ve been through, it’s a big step. What do you think?”
Aubrey considered her words carefully, knowing the weight they would carry with her friend. “Honestly? I think it’s wonderful. Eli’s a good man, and I’ve seen how he treats you. If you feel ready, I say go for it.”
Willow smiled, but it looked a little sad. “But what about you alone in this big house?”
Aubrey glanced around the spacious kitchen. “I’ve been thinking about my own living situation lately, actually.”
Willow tilted her head, curiosity evident in her expression. “Oh?”
Aubrey nodded. “I miss being in the city, and while downtown isn’t really a city, it would give me a little more of that feel. If you moved out, we could sell the house and I might buy a condo in town.”
“Really?” Willow’s eyes widened. “That’s a big change.”
“I know,” Aubrey replied. “This place, as beautiful as it is, it’s too quiet and lonely. I want something that feels more…me.”
Willow nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. “You want more life.”
