Page 174 of Heart’s Cove Hunks

Fiona heads to the kitchen, and I hear her rummaging around—probably for tea. She’s a tea fiend. I almost call out to tell her that I only have chai, but the words stay stuck in my throat.

A couple of years ago, Fallon started making me tea fairly regularly. It was before the kiss, before the messiness, before everything. I’m not sure I have it in me to drink the spiced tea now—it’ll only remind me of Fallon.

“Well,” Candice says with a long sigh, “let’s talk about something happier. What are you going to do with your prize money? And when can we display your trophy?”

“When the last episode airs in three months.”

“And will you be opening your own bakery, or what?” Simone smiles at me. “We know you’ve got big things planned.”

I stare at my hands for a moment, because the truth is, right now I just feel tired. The thought of opening a bakery just seems redundant when I could keep working at Four Cups. All the reasons I wanted to win seem so…small.

“I haven’t decided yet,” I finally answer. “I think I might just take it easy for a bit.”

The girls exchange loaded looks. That’s not the type of thing I usually say.

Candice pats my knee. “Okay, honey.”

Conversation moves on, and before I know it there’s food and tea and water being presented to me. The girls make sure I’m fed and comfortable, then leave with stern orders to get a good night’s sleep.

When they’re gathering their things to leave, I still have remnants of feelings that I don’t deserve their care and affection. What have I ever done to get friends like these?

Candice must see something in my expression, because she walks up to me and squeezes my arm.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I blurt.

Candice tilts her head. “You’ve been my best friend for decades, Jen.”

“Yeah, but…why?”

Her eyes are steady on mine. “Well, you’re loyal and caring. You’re reliable and funnier than you realize. Supportive. You’re great! Even if you are a logical little weirdo.”

I frown at the last sentence.

My friend just grins. “I’m just telling you I love you—exactly the way you are. I’m fully supportive of you taking some time off, of figuring out what you want to do. If you don’t want to start your own bakery, then don’t. Hire someone to help out at Four Cups. Take a breather. You deserve it.”

“Once Fallon comes back and begs you to take him back, you should take two weeks or so to hole up in some secluded resort somewhere so you can sex each other to within an inch of your lives,” Simone suggests.

I just roll my eyes. “I think you mean if Fallon comes back. Big if.” As in, this time he’s probably gone for good.

Didn’t I always know this would happen?

“He’ll come back,” Fiona says, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “You should have seen his face when he walked into Four Cups and asked for you after six months away. Looked like a man starved.”

They say their goodbyes and leave me to myself, but their words rattle around my brain. Everyone seems so sure that Fallon will come back and want to see me…but what if he doesn’t?

CHAPTER 30

Fallon

Slim looks old. His face is haggard, blotched with red, with yellowing eyes. When he grins at the sight of me, I see his browned teeth, a few of which are missing. He’s still skinny as hell, though.

It’s shocking, really. Would I look like this if I had spent my entire adult life in and out of prison?

“The great Fallon Richter finally decided to grace me with his presence!” He guffaws, opening the door wider. “Come in. Drink?”

“I’m good,” I answer, but Slim still heads for the fridge to grab a beer.

I catch a can against my chest when he tosses it, then nod in thanks. His kitchen is filthy. After working in professional kitchens for years—and spending the last few years alongside perma-clean Jennifer Newbank—this space makes my skin crawl.

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