Page 90 of One Bride for Three Single Dads

I realize she has been talking, and I haven’t listened to a word.

“Yeah, you were saying, um, okay, maybe I wasn’t listening as closely as I should’ve been?” I confess. “I’m sorry, Amber.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “I’m just babbling! Probably a little overly tired from the flight,” she chuckles modestly. “But seriously, are you okay?”

“Totally,” I lie, taking a big swallow of beer.

It’s going to make me burp, but the faster I drink this, the faster we can leave.

A blast of laughter interrupts us from the far side of the bar, and I twitch, practically jumping into the seat next to me to avoid it. Amber reaches out and grabs my wrist.

“Jolene! What is wrong with you? Are you okay?”

I nod tightly, but glance over my shoulder.

She follows my eyes to the group of guys at the other end of the bar.

“Do you know them? Do we hate them? Should I go over there and throw my drink in somebody’s face?”

“No, no, I’m totally fine,” I smile weakly. “It’s nothing. Really.”

“Oh, it’s definitely something,” she counters with her lips pursed. “Do you want to tell me, or should I go ask the bartender? He seems friendly.”

She moves like she is going to walk over there, and I have to pull her back.

“No! Okay!” I murmur quickly. “You got me. Listen…”

She settles back into her seat. “I’m listening.”

As soon as I start talking, it starts to spill out. “I know that guy. He is part of the construction crew, or he was, maybe temporarily. This is a small town. People talk. And they’ve been talking. About me.”

“Whore?” she repeats when I finish my story, her eyes wide with horror. “Who said that? Are they here?”

I wave my hands urgently, trying to get her to lower her voice.

“No! No, it was women. Like wives or girlfriends or something. Not these guys.”

“Oh, okay,” she says as she settles, her voice sympathetic and understanding. “So you get the feeling people are gossiping about you. Small towns are the same all over the planet, I guess?”

“Yeah, that’s basically it,” I admit.

It feels good to get off my chest. I’m so glad she understands.

She narrows her eyes at me and leans forward.

“Does that mean it’s all true, then?” she asks shrewdly.

I am affronted. “What you mean? You know I’m not a—”

“No! Not that!” she interrupts quickly. “I would never— Jolene. Trust me. You trust me?”

I shrug. “Yeah. You know I do.”

“Okay, well, I’m glad we have that settled. I am not here to judge you. But I am curious, okay? So tell me… You are, right?”

I blink.

A slow smile spreads across her face and she purses her lips, then makes a slow kissing noise.

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