Page 62 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“Thanks, Aunt Mae,” said the little girl as she skipped into her room.

“You probably want your room back, huh?”

“No! I want you to stay here forever!” Ellie gave her a big hug.

Mae smiled down at her. As much as she would like to stay here forever, she knew eventually she had to face the music. Just not today.

Ellie began playing in her room while Mae followed Lindsay downstairs. She took a seat at the counter and Lindsay handed her a hot cup of coffee.

“How are you feeling?” asked Lindsay.

“Better-ish.” Mae let out a sigh. “That’s a lie. I’m still totally hurt. Shocked. Pissed.”

“All valid feelings.” Lindsay took a sip of coffee.

“Being here helps. I realize how much I missed living away from the city. I feel closer to Mom and Dad out here.”

Lindsay nodded. “I miss them.”

“Me too.”

Mae and Lindsay had grown up together. They would always stay at each other’s houses for sleepovers or campouts. They were in dance together. They were in the same classes at school. They went to the same college. Mae had been her maid of honor at her wedding. Lindsay was like her sister and her parents treated her as such. When they had passed away, Lindsay had stayed with Mae for months to help her cope. Now here she was, coming to her rescue again.

“Thank you,” said Mae. “For everything.”

“Of course.” Lindsay reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

Ben came through the front door holding bags of groceries. “Breakfast, anyone?”

Mae hopped off the stool and helped unbag the groceries while he fired up the stove. Soon the kitchen smelled of eggs, bacon, and buttermilk pancakes. Ellie and Jack flew down the stairs.

“Pancakes!” they exclaimed as they sat down at the dining table.

Lindsay began setting the table while Ben started filling plates up with food. As good as everything smelled, Mae didn’t feel that hungry. She had barely eaten anything since she had been here. She knew this was Ben’s kind gesture of trying to take care of her. It made her so happy her friend had a good man in her life.

“I’m just going to make a quick phone call. Please start without me,” said Mae. She walked up the stairs to Ellie’s room and looked through her purse for her phone. She powered it on and scrolled through her contacts to Braydon. She hit send and listened to the lull of rings.

“Mae! There you are!”

“Hi, Braydon. I’m so sorry I went MIA.”

“I was worried about you. Where are you?” he asked.

“I’m with an old friend. I just needed some time away.”

“Does this have to do with Jonas? Is that why you’re avoiding the office?”

Mae remained silent. She wasn’t ready to talk about it, especially not with Braydon. He had loved the idea of them together. He was also like her second father. She would hate to disappoint him.

“I know there was some drama at the festival. Now, I don’t know what it was about, but, Mae. Let me tell you something about love. Love is wild, my dear. You don’t let it go after one fight.”

Mae stifled a laugh. If only Braydon knew that this wasn’t the first time. There was no point in telling him. It wouldn’t change anything. In fact, she was positive it would only make her seem like a fool.

“Sorry, I know it’s none of my business. I just loved the two of you together, but I loveyoumore. You know what’s best.”

“I will probably be out for a few more days. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Now that the festival is over, things are starting to slow down around here. All we have is the gala tonight, but that’s just a party to schmooze over champagne.”

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