Page 155 of The Grumpy Boss Agreement

"What do you mean?" I ask hesitantly.

Lucy grins, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I mean, don't give up on my brother so easily! He's being an idiot if he thinks moving to London is the right choice. His heart is here, with you."

"We need to make you look irresistible when Cole gets back," Lucy says around a mouthful of ice cream. "I'm thinking we give you a whole new look. Maybe some highlights in your hair, a spray tan, new outfits...."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Lucy, Cole likes me for me. I don't need a makeover."

Lucy waves her spoon dismissively. "Of course he does. But it doesn't hurt to enhance your assets a little." She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

I roll my eyes, but I can't help smiling. It feels good to have someone in my corner. Ever since my parents died, I've been so focused on taking care of myself that I haven't let many people get close. But Lucy has long since barreled her way into my heart and refused to budge. I'm grateful for her years of friendship.

As we finish up our ice cream, the conversation turns more serious. "I know you're scared to put yourself out there again with Cole," Lucy says. "But you have to be willing to take emotional risks if you really want to find love."

I nod, knowing she's right. "I'll try. It's just hard. I feel so vulnerable. What if he still leaves?"

"Then at least you'll know you gave it your all." Lucy squeezes my hand.

38

Savannah

I’m running late to the community center. The Wizard of Oz is supposed to have its debut in less than three hours and there are still plenty of last-minute tasks to take on. I rush into the building, but it’s perfectly empty. The lights are off, and it is eerily silent in here.

Where is the heck is everybody?

“Hello?” I call out. “Is anybody here?”

A shape coalesces out of the darkness. It’s my sister Birdie, and she has the biggest grin on her face.

“Hey, Savannah. How’s it going?”

I look left and right, throwing my hands up in bewilderment.

“Where is everybody?”

She just keeps grinning like a goon. My stomach is in knots.

Why is my sister being so weird right now? She looks like the cat that ate the canary.

“I have some news. You’re not going to like the first half. But you’re going to be happy in the end. Okay? Remember that I said that.”

Uh oh. A gathering storm of anxiety begins to well up inside me. First the break up with Cole, now whatever this is? Birdie honestly couldn’t have worse timing.

“What news? Birdie, I swear, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’m gonna scream.”

Birdie comes over to me and takes my arm, gently ushering me out of the front doors of the community center. She turns around, and glances up the building’s crumbling facade. Her words are gentle.

“On Monday, the community center will be condemned. It’s been purchased by the Bennett-Taylor Real Estate group for the purposes of being demolished to make room for a new hotel. A place for visiting players to stay while they play at the new training camp. Yada yada, you know the rest.”

I gape at her. Betrayal claws at my chest. If Birdie is telling me the truth, then after shredding my heart into smithereens, Cole did the exact thing I begged him not to do. That complete bastard!

“Cole pushed ahead with his plan even though I warned him not to?” I ask carefully.

Birdie gives me a sympathetic look. “I know. It’s not what you wanted to hear. But there is more. A big huge silver lining inside that thundercloud.”

My sister gives me an even smile and strokes my arm.

I tug my arm from her grasp, pinning her with my gaze. How Cole managed to get Birdie mixed up in all of this, I don’t know. But it’s apparent from her words that he has turned my sister and confidante against me. My heart aches.

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