Page 99 of And I Love Her

“Not being there for you when you were with that asshole.”

“I didn’t want you to be.” A shadow crossed Aria’s pretty features. “That’s why I never asked for help. Why I hid everything.”

“I wish you hadn’t.”

“I know.” Aria shrugged and began wiping down the tables. “But if I hadn’t gone through that, and I know it could have been so much worse, I might not have figured out what I’m capable of. I might not have come back home and created this…” she waved a hand to indicate the café, “…or met Hunter. And believe me, I’d have battled much bigger monsters than a violent bully to ensure I have everything I do now. Life’s funny that way. You get to a place that’s better than you ever dreamed, and you realize you’d walk through fire to hold on to it forever.”

“When did you get to be the wise older sister?”

Aria chuckled. “When you had your nose buried in a dusty old book.”

“I plan to look up much more often now.” Callie scratched one of Kit’s ears with her forefinger. The cat retracted his claws a little.

Aria met her gaze, her eyes warming. “Good to know.”

Feeling somehow lighter, Callie helped her feed the cats before they walked to the Mousehole. The tavern was full, with chatter and music filling the air. Destiny, Rory, and Aria’s friend Brooke waved to them from the corner booth beside the big stone fireplace.

They sat down amidst a flurry of greetings and gossip about everything that had happened. Bliss Cove was settling down now that Jake had left, though he’d certainly left a great deal for everyone to talk about.

“Here comes Grant with the drinks.” Her eyes gleaming, Destiny eyed the handsome tavern owner as he rounded the bar with a tray of glasses. “I love watching him move.”

“You love watching anything with a penis move,” Rory remarked.

“Not true.” Destiny gave Rory a light slap on the arm as everyone else laughed. “I’m quite discriminating, if you want the truth. Oh, Grant, thank you so much.”

“No problem, ladies.” He set their drinks in front of them and took an order pad out of his pocket. “Ready to order?”

They placed their various orders for artichoke soup, salmon, and steak. Grant looked at Rory, his pencil hovering over the pad.

“I’ll have the fried cheese curds.” She shifted irritably.

He scribbled the order. “And?”

“What do you meanand?”

Grant narrowed his eyes. “Fried cheese curds and beer is your dinner?”

“Don’t judge.” She tossed her hair and pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Andthis booth is incredibly uncomfortable.”

“Then why do you always sit here?”

“Because it’s the only one open because no one sits herebecause it’s so uncomfortable.” Rory swiped her phone. Her fingers whisked over the screen.

Muttering something under his breath, Grant collected their menus and walked back to the bar. Destiny watched him go, her lips pursed.

“Mysterious, isn’t he?” she mused. “He has such a contained, powerful sexual energy, but I haven’t been able to get a clear read on his aura.”

Rory tsked and rolled her eyes.

“Don’t judge, Aurora.” Destiny arched an eyebrow at Rory. “You’re not exactly an open book yourself. However, Idohave a strong intuition about your One True Love.”

“No such thing.”

“You might think differently when you look at Max Weatherford with an eye toward romance.” Destiny winked and picked up her wineglass.

Aria coughed. “Max the veterinarian? AndRory?”

“Interesting.” Brooke sipped her drink, arching one eyebrow high as if her reporter wheels were already turning.

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