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14

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One thing Scarlett wasn’t sure if she’d get used to were alarms on Mondays. She groaned and cracked one eye open in time to watch Cole’s tight ass bound out of bed. Pip leapt onto the floor to follow his human into the bathroom.

It was still dark outside. Cole liked to get to the clinic a half hour before they opened at seven. If he hadn’t promised her breakfast she’d roll over, go back to sleep and let herself out later, but her stomach protested loud enough Pip scampered back onto the bed to check on her.

“I’m up,” she muttered at the dog.

To prove her point, she levered up into a sitting position and patted Pip’s head.

She pulled on clean clothes and tied her hair up in a messy bun. At this hour the only people who’d be at the diner were male counterparts of the L.O.L.s and a few cops. She didn’t need to dress up for anyone.

“Are you taking Pip to work with you today?” she asked when Cole stepped out clothed in teal scrubs.

“I was thinking I’d try leaving him here today. Ready?” He scooped Pip up.

“Hey, would you mind if I borrowed your washer and dryer? It looks like the pig has been back, rooting around my house and she did some damage to one of the pipes.”

“Yikes. Can you get it fixed?” He secured Pip in his kennel with another generous helping of treats.

“Garth and Benji said they’d work on it today. We just discovered it yesterday, so the water to my place got shut off.”

“Now I know why you came over wearing what you did.” Cole waggled his eyebrows at her and held the front door.

“Hush, you.”

“My place is your place. You know where the extra key is?”

“Yeah.”

Cole opened the passenger side of the car and handed her in, then kissed her cheek. He had this sweet side to him that she couldn’t get enough of. Sure, he could be macho and bossy at times, then he did something that melted her heart.

She had it bad for him. Oh so bad.

“Calm yourself,” Scarlett muttered as Cole circled the car and got in.

“I’ll come home and we can do lunch together if you’re still here.”

“Let’s be honest, we’re going to have breakfast then I’m going back to bed for a few hours. I’ll probably just be getting started by the time you’re ready for lunch.”

Cole grinned at her.

“What?” She narrowed her gaze at him.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

“It’s really nothing. I just like you. Here. With me.”

She watched his profile as he drove them down Main Street to the diner.

Did he mean that?

Probably not how her heart wanted him to mean it, but it was still a profound point in a relationship. Not everyone could share space easily.

“I like being around you, too,” she said finally.

Cole reached over, took her hand and lifted it to his lips so he could kiss her knuckles.

This man owned her heart. From the moment she’d laid eyes on him she’d been in danger of this. Falling for him. And now that she was here, she couldn’t see the point in resisting.

They parked and ambled inside.

Sure enough, the booths were mostly full of quiet little old men. A few patrol officers were at the counter.

Cole guided her to a table, and they took their seats. After a moment pursuing the menu they placed their orders. Scarlett curled one leg under her then frowned at the way Cole kept glancing over her shoulder.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

“I feel like everyone’s watching us,” he said in a low voice for her ears alone.

“Yeah, well, we’re still news around these parts, Doc.”

Cole waved. She turned and caught sight of Casey Smith and Liam Jones strolling toward them dressed in his uniform.

“What’s up, officer?” Cole asked.

Liam bent, leaning on the back of an empty chair while Casey remained standing.

“Morning,” Liam drawled.

“Sorry to butt in like this.” Casey’s frown was etched deeply on his face.

“What’s going on?” Scarlett glanced from Casey to Liam and back again.

“I thought you’d both want to know that Allie-Kate’s back in town. Liam stopped her last night for having a tail light out.” Casey nodded at the other officer.

Scarlett blinked, the words not yet processing.

Allie-Kate was back.

“She’s driving a car registered to you,” Liam said, his eyes on Cole.

“Yeah, she is. Did she have a dog with her?”

“She did.” Liam dipped his chin.

“Thanks for letting me know, guys.” Cole gave the two men a tight smile.

Scarlett reached her hands across the table to where he had his tightly clenched together.

“You two have a nice day.” Casey nodded his head. He and Liam moved away from the table.

Holy shit.

“You okay?” Scarlett whispered.

She’d known this day was coming. Allie-Kate was bound to come home, eventually. But when Mrs. Hume had said it would be around Christmas Scarlett had taken her at her word.

So much for Christmas.

“Yeah.” Cole dragged a hand across his mouth. “This doesn’t matter. It doesn’t.”

“You sure?”

“This was going to happen. Her being here doesn’t change anything.”

Then why did he seem tense all of a sudden?

Scarlett didn’t like it, but she couldn’t change things. Wishing AK away wouldn’t make their lives easier.

They ate in silence, Cole focused on his plate. She wanted to do something for him. Fix this. Take away the awkwardness. Whatever it took for them to regain the easy happiness they’d enjoyed an hour before.

She finished her breakfast, unable to enjoy the homemade cinnamon rolls after the news. She was glad they had the heads up. She just wished AK had stayed away a little longer. Cole paid for their breakfast and they left. This time it was her reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze, not the other way around.

The frown lines etched into Cole’s face made her stomach knot up. She didn’t speak until they were in the car.

“What are you thinking?” she asked softly.

“I’m not sure what to think.” He sighed and started the Buick. “I mean...I’m not upset she called off the wedding. Clearly. I’m just... I think I’m finally mad at her.”

“That’s not a bad thing. You’ve been very understanding. I think to be human you’d also have to be angry.”

“I guess I can finally get my car back. I wonder what she’s done to it?” Cole shook his head and turned onto the street.

“Everyone’s going to know she’s here by the end of the day. What do you want to do about her?” Scarlett personally wanted to smack some sense into AK, but this wasn’t her fight.

“I don’t know. There’s a lot of history there. You don’t tie that up easily.”

Cole’s answer left Scarlett unsettled.

She wanted to hear him say that he was done with AK that her stuff needed to go and their lives divided. But he wasn’t.

He pulled into the driveway and turned toward her. “I don’t know if I’ll be home for lunch.”

“Okay.” She jerked her head in a nod.

Was he going to see Allie-Kate? Why wouldn’t he talk to her about it? What did this mean for them?

Instead of asking any of those questions she pasted on a smile, leaned over and gave him a quick peck and said, “Try to have a good day, okay?”

“I’ll try.” His smile was tight and unconvincing.

Scarlett forced herself to get out of the car and wave him goodbye instead of begging him to stay, talk to her and figure out what came next.

She stood there and watched the Buick until it disappeared around a turn.

There was no way she was going to sleep now.

Scarlett gathered her laundry, let herself into the house and released Pip from the kennel. She went through the motions of getting her laundry going then settled on the sofa with Pip to stare at nothing.

Cole had never given her the indication he wanted to get back together with Allie-Kate. In fact, the way he spoke, it sounded like there’d never been any love there at all. But what if AK’s appearance made Cole realize he wanted something else? What if he decided to move? What if—what? What was Scarlett afraid of?

Losing Cole.

Against her better judgment she’d fallen in love with him and now all of the power was in his hands. He could hurt her. No, he could destroy her. She’d fallen for a man she knew wasn’t sure of what he wanted. That meant she had to accept that she could lose it all, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Three hours later Scarlett had started in on Cole’s laundry. The towels and sheets were next. She’d scrubbed the kitchen, did the dishes and a quick sweep. Nervous energy still had her itching to do more. Cole hadn’t replied to her more than twice all morning, which she didn’t like one bit even if she knew he was busy.

It wasn’t her life AK had thrown into upheaval, it was his. And Scarlett needed to remember that. She needed to be patient and understanding, just like he was. But she wasn’t as nice of a person as he could be.

The front door rattled.

Scarlett glanced at the clock.

It was almost eleven.

Had Cole gone to lunch early?

She crossed to the door, flipped the lock and opened it.

“Hey—” Scarlett stared into the stunned eyes of another woman.

A familiar woman.

“Allie-Kate.”

“What are you doing here?” AK tipped her nose up and frowned down at Scarlett.

AK was taller and curvier than Scarlett. Her wavy blonde hair was down and she wore ripped jeans and a T-shirt. She must have been somewhere warm because her tan was a deep golden brown.

“I’m wondering the same thing about you.” Scarlett leaned on the door, Pip tucked under her arm.

“This is my house,” AK said.

“This is Cole’s house.”

“My name’s on the lease.” AK’s gaze narrowed even further. “Scarlett?”

“Yup.”

“What are you doing in my house?”

“Laundry. What are you doing here?”

“I need you to leave.” AK stepped back and gestured.

“You don’t live here. Cole lives here, and Cole—”

“Is my fiancé.” AK presented her left hand. An antique sapphire ring encircled her finger.

Scarlett stared at the woman.

Was she serious?

Deep breath. Do not freak out.

“You called the wedding off.” Was Scarlett hearing her right? Did AK really think this would work?

“If you don’t leave, I’m going to call the cops.” AK’s voice rose to a shrill note.

Scarlett grit her teeth.

AK was probably right about the lease. She had a legal right to be on the property even if Cole wasn’t going to like it. Standing here starting shit wasn’t the way to handle the situation.

“Give me a minute to put Pip in his kennel and get my things.” Scarlett kept her smile screwed on tight.

She didn’t like leaving AK alone in the house. The other woman had to know Cole was at work. Why else would she be at the house in the middle of the day?

Because this was planned.

Scarlett’s hands slowed her packing up the basket.

Of course AK would know Cole was at work. In her shoes Scarlett might choose to do the same thing to avoid her former lover.

She glanced over her shoulder at Allie-Kate hovering in the doorway.

AK hadn’t even asked why Scarlett was there. Probably because it was obvious between the town gossip and from the lingerie she’d tucked away in the basket.

Engaged my ass.

But Scarlett was powerless to do anything about the situation.

“AK, if you could give Pip some water, that would be great?” Scarlett paused at the front door.

“Whatever.” Allie-Kate shrugged.

“I’ll let Cole know you stopped by.” Scarlett smiled, hefted her basket higher then exited out the front door.

The door slammed shut behind her, almost slamming into her foot. A tickle went up her spine, and a general sense of unease wrapped around her.

All of this was wrong.

Scarlett tossed her hamper in the Jeep, got in and called Cole. The line went to his voicemail.

“Hey, just so you know, AK showed up at the house and kicked me out. She was waving her engagement ring in my face talking about being your fiancé. Call me back, please?” She ended the call and started the Jeep just as a pickup driven by Mr. Hume pulled in behind the blue hatchback car Allie-Kate had arrived in.

This wasn’t right.

Allie-Kate was going to take advantage of Cole yet again by stealing away their stuff while he was gone. But Scarlett had no rights in this situation. She could call the cops, but what would they be able to do?

Call Cole. Tell him the same thing she’d just done.

She knew she had to leave, but she didn’t want to go far. Being alone was a horrible idea with her overactive mind feeding her all sorts of possible outcomes.

They had a relationship. She and Cole were a couple. Before she freaked out about AK showing up, as they knew she would, she was going to talk to him.

The tea room.

The L.O.L.s would have cleared out by now and Ingrid was more than likely by herself. Scarlett could do with someone to talk to. Someone who’d probably heard the gossip and could talk her off the ledge.

Ten minutes later Scarlett walked into the antique store and back to the tea room. Sure enough, Kasima was set up at a table with her laptop while Ingrid was wiping down tables.

“Oh my God.” Ingrid stared at Scarlett with wide eyes. “You know?”

“Do I know that Allie-Kate is back in town and claiming she’s still engaged to my—my boyfriend? Yeah.” Scarlett dropped into the chair across from Kasima and cradled her head in her hands.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that it’s official between you two.” Ingrid took a seat.

“If you two are together, won’t Cole set her straight?” Kasima asked.

“I hope so.” But Scarlett couldn’t help but think of his wishy-washy answer earlier.

“What?” Kasima frowned at Ingrid.

“Nothing.” Ingrid sat back, her hands up.

“That face means you know something.” Kasima leaned forward.

“What?” Scarlett’s heart pulsed in her throat.

“It’s nothing,” Ingrid insisted.

“Then tell us,” Kasima countered.

“When Cole first got here and the L.O.L.s were on him about you he made a big deal of saying he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Is that something you two have talked about?” Ingrid’s brow furrowed.

“Yes.” Scarlett swallowed. “We’ve talked about it several times. We’re together.”

“Okay, then all you do is tell AK to take a hike and keep on being awesome. Right?” Kasima shrugged.

“Right.” Scarlett stared at the table.

It should be that easy, but she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

g

The minute Cole stepped into the clinic the day went sideways.

A patient from the day before popped their stitches. The cops arrived with a distressed woman whose dog had been in a fight with a coyote and won. All of this had to be handled between the regularly scheduled patients and while enduring the wide-eyed stares of his co-workers and pet parents. Everyone knew Allie-Kate was back.

Just before lunch Cole couldn’t take it anymore and stepped out into the lot behind the clinic to catch his breath.

Dr. Green and Mrs. Billy were loading up over on the livestock end of the building. Cole rarely had reason to go out to the other side of the practice. It was Dr. Green’s domain, and he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the domestic pets now that Cole was there.

“Cole.” Dr. Green leaned on the pickup and waved him over.

Crap.

What else could go wrong today?

He glanced at his phone and Scarlett’s texts. Right now he couldn’t reply to her. He didn’t know what to say.

“What can I help you with, Dr. Green?” Cole asked as he neared the truck.

“I was going to ask you the same thing.” Dr. Green squinted at him and shielded his face against the sun.

Cole shrugged. He didn’t know what he could do about Allie. This was her home, not his.

“I heard that silly rumor about you being some kind of criminal,” Dr. Green said.

“What?” That was news to Cole. He stared at the other man.

“Yeah, I guess Allie-Kate’s mom got to talking to people at the pancake breakfast the other day, saying all kinds of off the wall things.” Dr. Green sighed and shook his head. “AK doesn’t fall far from that tree. I told them you’re no such thing, and I should know. Background checks don’t lie.”

“Thanks, Dr. Green. I’m really sorry about this.” Sweat beaded along Cole’s spine. He wasn’t a criminal, but he came from them. How long until those facts colored people’s opinions about him?

“Our second call got canceled.” Dr. Green glanced at Mrs. Billy. “I think we’ll stay close to the clinic today in case you need to take care of things. The Humes, they know how to stir the pot, don’t they?”

“Someone ought to tell Bunny. She’d set them straight,” Mrs. Billy said with a nod.

“That she would,” Dr. Green agreed.

Cole didn’t think his problems could be solved so easily. And how fast would everyone’s opinion of him change if AK started talking?

“You going to answer that?” Mrs. Billy asked.

Cole grimaced and pulled his phone out. This time Scarlett had called him.

What was he going to say to her?

This was a shit time to be involved with someone new.

Why had he allowed things to progress so fast?

Why hadn’t he kept her at arm’s length when they agreed that was best?

“Why don’t you take an early lunch, clear your head and I’ll cover for you?” Dr. Green suggested.

“You don’t have to do that. My personal drama shouldn’t—”

“It’s my practice. I’ll do what I want,” Dr. Green scoffed.

“And you don’t want to argue with him.” Mrs. Billy thumbed at the old man.

“Thanks.” Cole took a step back.

Scarlett’s messages were weighing on him. He didn’t want to talk to her right now, but he needed to hear her voice. She’d called earlier. Maybe the recording would soothe him?

He lifted the phone and listened to the message.

“Hey.” That one word was full of so much anxiety he wanted to reach through the phone and hold her. “Just so you know, AK showed up at the house and kicked me out. She was waving her engagement ring in my face talking about being your fiancé. Call me back, please?”

There were so many pieces to that message he didn’t know what to process first.

Scarlett wasn’t at his place, which he was both relieved to hear and disappointed. He needed space to figure this out, and he wanted to do that without hurting her.

Allie was at his house. The house that was supposed to be theirs, but she’d never moved into. And she was claiming they were still engaged after calling it off. There was so much bullshit in that concept he didn’t know where to start.

“Dr. Green?” Cole turned and jogged to the entrance leading to the livestock side of the practice.

“Yeah?” Dr. Green stuck his head out of the door.

“I need to take care of something that’s just come up—”

“Go.” The old man waved his hands. “I’ve got this place handled.”

“Thanks.” Cole sprinted back to the Buick.

Had Allie returned his car? What about Caesar? And what happened to Pip in all of this?

Cole pushed the speed limit on his way home, but by the time he arrived the drive was empty. All the blinds had been raised. He left them down.

He got out and stalked up to the front door. It was unlocked in typical Allie fashion. He stepped inside to the sound of Pip’s barks.

“Hey, buddy.” Cole went to the kennel and released the dog before turning to take in the place.

Kitchen cabinets were open, some had been emptied. Some pillows from the sofa were gone. There were other odds and ends also missing, like the TV. He stalked into the bedroom, but it was mostly untouched. The linens were gone, which struck him as odd, but whatever. The room where he’d put her things and the remainder of the wedding presents was cleaned out.

So Allie had shown up to get her stuff when she knew he wouldn’t be there. But Scarlett had. He was willing to bet Allie had reacted poorly. Whenever he caught her doing something or lying, she went off the deep end. Which was probably why she’d thrown the ring around.

He lifted his phone to his ear.

It was time to have this conversation.

Cole hadn’t attempted to contact Allie since that first week when she’d left. He’d realized he was too pissed to handle it well, and she had her reasons for doing this.

The line rang and rang before going to voicemail.

He clenched the phone in his hand.

She thought she could leave him then show up after he’d moved hundreds of miles for a fake relationship he’d committed himself to, and just not talk to him?

Why had he ever thought he could be happy here?

A white pickup truck slowed then turned into his drive.

Great.

Now this?

Why couldn’t people here deal with their own problems?

Why was everyone’s nose in his business?

Garth got out of the truck and ambled toward him. Like most days he was in a polo, jeans and boots. His frown lines were more defined today as he closed the distance between them.

“Afternoon,” Garth drawled.

“What do you want?” Cole wasn’t in the mood to put up with this.

“I’ve been hearing things this morning.” Garth came to a stop, his hands on his hips.

“Congratulations.” Cole shoved his hand through his hair.

“Wanted to know if there was anything I could do?”

“What?” Cole was taken aback by the question, especially coming from Garth.

“You and Scarlett are together. You and I have come to an understanding. I’m trusting that the things I’m hearing aren’t the whole truth. So, can I do anything?”

Cole swallowed.

He’d wanted somewhere to belong his whole life. He’d carved out a place for himself in St. Louis. He had friends, a job, a nice place, but he’d never had that sense of home. Moving to Ransom he’d found a peace he’d never had.

“You okay?” Garth squinted at him.

“You can’t help me.” Cole jerked around and stalked back into the house.

He kept fucking things up. AK had run from him. Why should Scarlett put up with this mess?

She was better off without him.

g

By early afternoon Scarlett’s stomach insisted she go home to at least eat. Ingrid and Kasima followed her up to her place even though they both had a lot on their plates. What would Scarlett do without friends like them?

She pulled into the drive and before her door was open both Benji and Garth had appeared on their porch looking in her direction.

Of course they’d know.

Everyone was probably talking about AK being in town and at Cole’s house.

Scarlett didn’t want to talk about it with them. She was hurt and confused by Cole’s silence. The things Ingrid had told her she’d heard Cole say didn’t help alleviate the stress.

But she and Cole were in a relationship. They’d agreed on that. It had to mean something.

She was determined not to go crazy girl again. When he got off work, they’d talk about this.

Scarlett got out of the Jeep and with the help of Ingrid and Kasima gathered her laundry.

“Here, let us help,” Garth said as they closed in.

“Please, not right now,” Scarlett begged. She couldn’t handle Garth’s know-it-all attitude right now.

Garth took the basket from Kasima and frowned at Scarlett. He must have put on his extra stubborn pants that morning.

Scarlett hefted the laundry higher then turned toward her house. Benji wisely kept his distance and got the door open for all of them to trek inside. She put the basket down on the old parson style dining table the guys had refurbished for her then shoved a hand back over her bun, giving it a tweak.

“Hey? Come here.” Benji grabbed her hand and pulled her in for a hug. “We’re worried about you. That’s all.”

“So you’ve heard?” Ingrid asked.

“About which part?” Garth shook his head.

“What have you heard?” Kasima asked.

“I heard some bullshit about Cole being a felon,” Benji said.

“He’s not,” Scarlett said.

“Of course he isn’t. You think Dr. Green would blindly hire a felon on AK’s word?” Benji chuckled.

“No,” Scarlett said softly.

“I was in town when I heard AK was back and she’d cleaned out Cole’s house. I knew you were supposed to be over there so I drove by,” Garth said.

“I was. God, that was awkward.” Scarlett covered her face with her hands. She rehashed her visit with AK for the guys and braced herself for Garth’s censure.

“What’s Cole said about all of this?” Benji asked when she was done.

“Nothing to me. He’s not answered my texts or phone call.” She sank into a dining chair.

“He was at his place when I went by. Something’s not right,” Garth said.

“Is this where you start in on I told you so?” She stared at Garth.

“No,” he said.

“I think—and I’m just a dude, so I could be wrong—but I think this is when we all need to keep our mouths shut and wait to hear from Cole,” Benji said.

“I’d love to, but he’s not answering and I’m not going to show up at his work,” she said.

“Have you tried lately?” Benji asked.

“Not in a while.” Scarlett chewed her lip.

“He was at his house a little bit ago,” Garth said.

“Fine.” Scarlett grabbed her phone from her purse, got up and slipped outside.

This was not a call she wanted to make with an audience.

She sat on the top stair, aware that if she spoke loud enough, everyone would be able to hear her. It was the pretense of privacy that mattered.

The line rang twice.

He wasn’t going to answer.

She closed her eyes.

“Hey,” Cole said in a clipped voice.

“Cole.” She was surprised he’d answered her at all.

“Need something?” A thread of annoyance wove through his voice.

“I wanted to see how you were holding up. All this AK business—”

“Yeah, it’s a shit show,” he said.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, at this point involving you will only make it worse. Allie’s probably convinced herself that I’ve cheated on her.” He sighed heavily.

“But she broke up with you.”

“And now she’s claiming we’re still engaged, so I hear.”

“You haven’t spoken to her?”

“No, I haven’t.” The annoyance was growing.

“Look, this might not be the best time, but I want to ask you about something.” Scarlett closed her eyes. All of this would pass, but she needed a tiny bit of affirmation.

“This really isn’t a good time,” he said.

“Did you tell Ingrid and the L.O.L.s you weren’t looking to get serious? That we’re casual?” They’d had a version of the relationship talk, but maybe it hadn’t been enough?

“Scarlett, I was supposed to get married in—what? Thirteen days? I’ve known you for a few weeks. How can this be anything serious yet? We’re together. We like spending time with each other. What do you want me to say?” His voice was ragged and a little angry. “Maybe we should take a step back while I sort out this stuff with Allie?”

“That isn’t what I want.” Scarlett’s body went cold with panic. She wished she was having this conversation face to face.

“It’s what I want

“Why are you being mean? This isn’t like you.”

“You barely know me.”

The call ended.

She sat there, numb and confused, holding her phone as the cool fall breeze slid past her.

Scarlett barely knew him?

It felt like he was her other half. Like they fit. And now this?

“Scarlett?” Garth’s steps thudded on the porch.

“Just—not right now, please?” She had moments before she fell apart.

Garth ignored her and sat down next to her, wrapping his big, strong arm around her waist.

“Men are stupid,” he said.

“You think?” She choked a laugh and the first tear fell.

“If he was stupid enough to make you cry, there’s your proof.” He rubbed circles on her back. “I know I’m tough on you, but I just want to protect you. You give so much of yourself and you don’t hold anything back. You love him, don’t you?”

Scarlett wasn’t going to answer that.

Garth was right about one thing, ever since Cole had arrived she’d been there for him. She’d driven him around, helped connect him to people.

The front door opened and Benji sat down next to her. Ingrid and Kasima sat on steps below her and turned to look up. Scarlett was surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. If Cole didn’t want to be part of it that was his choice.

“I don’t want to cry over this.” She drew in a shaky breath. She’d cry eventually, but right now she wanted to be mad. “I want to do something.”

“We could go shopping,” Ingrid suggested.

“A movie day?” Kasima put her hand on Scarlett’s knee.

“I think you should go to Colorado,” Garth said.

Scarlett whipped her head around. Who was this man?

“I think you should do something for yourself. I’m sorry I talked you out of it. I’ve had a lot to think about lately.”

“The conference starts today.” Scarlett would have liked to go, but she’d never seen it as a real opportunity.

“It lasts through Friday. You could catch the evening activities then the next four days,” Benji said chiming in.

“But—that’s crazy.” Scarlett shook her head.

“It would take your mind off all this. Hell, it’ll all probably blow over while you’re gone and when you get back Cole will be groveling in forgiveness,” Benji said.

It would give her something to throw herself into. Being around so many professionals in their industry would also force her to put on a brave face, move on and focus. Being apart might even be good for them. She loved Cole, but he wasn’t in the same place as her. She couldn’t forget her own hopes and dreams in the face of falling for a man that wasn’t fighting for her.

“Okay.” She nodded. “Yeah, I guess I need to pack?”

•  •

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