Page 132 of One More Secret

But if I met his expectations and a good-looking man glanced at me the wrong way, I was a slut, a whore, a cheater, a disgrace, and the outcome would be just as painful.

I shove away the memory. That was the past. It’s not my present and it’s not my future. I’m not the girl I used to be, and I’m more than okay with that. I’m working toward a brighter, sunnier future. A future filled with all kinds of possibilities.

One day.

I turn back to the booth, pay for my soaps, and we move on to the next table.

Avery picks up a palm-sized wooden box with intricate designs carved in the dark wood. “Wow, these are incredible.” She turns and shows it to Simone.

I trace my finger over the lotus carving in the lid of a box large enough to hold a pair of shoes. “It’s beautiful.” The whispered words slip over my lips. Beautiful and perfect.

“Thank you,” the man on the other side of the table says, his smile peeking through a bushy gray beard. “Do you know what the lotus flower represents?”

“No?”

“The flower represents different things in different cultures,” the man explains. “But it frequently symbolizes strength, enlightenment, rebirth. The flower grows from the murky depths of the water and raises above the surface. But the blossom is beautiful no matter how dirty the water might be.”

I lift the lid and peer inside the cedar-lined box, flip the box over, and check the price. It isn’t cheap, but the box is perfect for what I want it for. “I’ll take it.”

His smile widens. “Is this a gift?”

“You could say that.” I glance over at Troy. He’s still talking to Katelyn. She laughs and places her hand on his biceps.

Zara makes a huffing noise at the back of her throat. “Someone isn’t being too subtle.” She’s also looking at the guys, so I assume she’s talking about Katelyn.

“She’s just being friendly.” I can’t believe I’m defending her. But I’m also not about to stalk over to them and make a scene because she’s touching Troy.

He likes me. He kisses me.

And she’s beautiful and perfect…and you’re scarred and broken.

I swallow down my insecurities and turn back to the booth.

I pay for the carved box, put the soaps inside it, and Zara and I rejoin Simone, Avery, and Emily. The three women are waiting for us near the men and Katelyn.

Zara’s gaze drops to the box in my arms. “Are you planning to buy something from almost every booth we visit? Because if you are, you’re gonna need a pack mule.” The corners of her mouth twitch in a barely suppressed laugh.

“I’m sure Jess only has to smile at Troy, Kellan, and Garrett,” Simone says, “and they’ll be more than happy to be the pack mules. And if they’re not able to do it, I’ll throw in Lucas to help out since you’re my friend.” She flashes me a sweet and very real smile.

A soft laugh tickles my throat. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”

Troy tells Katelyn something but doesn’t wait for a response. He leaves her standing there and walks over to me. Her lips press together in a Victoria’s-Secret pout.

“Nice box.” He carefully removes it from my hands and tucks it under his arm. He grabs my free hand and pulls me to him. His lips find mine in a God-I’ve-missed-you kiss.

I lean into him, my body buzzing with the need to get closer. To get inside his skin. To satisfy the growing ache throughout my body. For him.

At some point during the kiss, Katelyn disappears. Relief floats inside me that she won’t be tagging along with our group.

Simone grins at Troy and me. “If you two haven’t figured out yet just how adorable you are together, then look at this photo I just took of you. Sorry…I couldn’t resist.” She holds out her phone, the screen facing us. Troy takes it from her.

In the cropped-in-close photo, he and I are smiling at each other, having just kissed. We look like we’re in our own little world. The photo is really good, the lighting perfect.

“I can send it to you, if you want,” she says. “And don’t worry, I won’t post it on social media…unless you want me to.”

My mouth goes dry. “Thank you. I don’t want it on social media.” Especially when Simone’s Instagram account has a crazy number of followers because of her business.

Troy hands the phone back to her, his smile still on his face. “That would be great. Thanks.”

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