Chapter 4

When we finished lunch, Piper, Zoey, and Valentina led me around their small town and into every store in town. It was exhausting, but I’d never laughed so much in my entire life.

I didn’t know it was possible to enjoy something as simple as shopping. Or to not feel like I was being judged every time I tried something on.

“Ooh, you should try this on,” Valentina said, holding up a teal blue dress to me. “This color would be killer on you.”

“She’s right,” Zoey said. “With your hazel eyes, that will look really good.”

“Are you sure? It’s not fitted in the right places for me,” I said, hesitating when I saw the drape of the fabric. My mother always told me I needed to wear clothes that hid my belly instead of showing it off. Clothes that would disguise my imperfections.

“Is that you talking or your mother?” Piper asked me, zeroing in on exactly what I wasn’t saying.

I growled under my breath, and the three of them laughed.

“Just try it,” Valentina said. “If you don’t like it, I will not be upset if you don’t get it. I like this cut on myself, and my husband doesn’t argue when I wear dresses with short, flirty skirts like this.”

“Brantley doesn’t argue about anything you wear,” Piper told Valentina before turning to me. “Brantley was in love with her forever, but his college roommate snuck in and stole her heart before Brantley had a chance to tell Valentina how he felt. When they got divorced, he was more than happy to be there for her, and to help her find a way to a much better life with much better sex.”

“Yeah. So much better,” Valentina agreed.

I couldn’t hide my shock at the way they casually discussed sex, especially each other’s, and Zoey picked up on it.

“You’re scandalizing her with all the sex talk,” Zoey chastised. “She’s not used to picking out her own clothes, and you’re telling her about good sex.”

“Everyone should have good sex. No. No. Everyone should have amazing, out of this world, curl your toes and wonder how many orgasms it would take to kill you sex that has you testing that theory. Good sex isn’t worthwhile. Mind-blowing sex is what we all need,” Valentina said.

Zoey and Piper nodded along.

I wondered what kind of people they were that they not only talked like that but sounded like they actually experienced it. “You can have more than one orgasm?”

The three of them shared a grin and nodded. “Oh, yeah. Go try on the dress. Then we’ll talk orgasms.”

I snorted but followed their request. They followed me, waiting outside the dressing room for me to show them the dress.

I pulled the fabric over my head and refused to look in the mirror until I pushed my mother’s voice out of my head. I wouldn’t have even considered the dress if she was with me, and knowing that had my mind conjuring her voice.

I let out a breath and opened my eyes. “Wow,” I breathed. Valentina was right. The dress had stitching in an X from my shoulders to below each breast that gave my chest definition and lift. The bright teal color brought out the blue-green of my eyes and made them pop. The skirt hit just above my knees with a ruffled hem that lifted when I spun to look at the back.

“Come out,” Piper said through the door. “We want to see.”

I unlocked the door and found the three of them right on the other side. Their eyes widened and scanned my body.

“I think I need one of those,” Zoey said. “Damn, girl.”

I giggled. “Yeah?”

“Hell, yeah,” Piper said. “That is hot. It’s simple, but it looks really good on you.”

“It’s not just the color, it’s the fit. You look amazing,” Valentina agreed.

My cheeks warmed with their praise. “You guys are so good for my ego.”

“We’re just being honest. You’re the one with the assets,” Valentina said.

I snorted. “Thank you.”

“Are you going to get the dress?” Zoey asked.

“I think so,” I said, eyeing the mirror again. I didn’t know when or where I would wear it, but it made me feel good.

“Will you be mad if I get one, too? In a different color, of course,” Zoey said.

“Of course not. Why would I be mad?” I asked.

“I don’t want it to be weird,” Zoey said.

“Not weird. It’s a great dress. I’ll find somewhere to wear it, eventually.”

“It’s a good date dress.”

“I’m not having any of those for a while,” I said.

“You never know. There’s a dating app that’s for locals. Maybe you should try it out. See if you can have some of that better-than-good sex,” Piper said.

I smirked. “I’d be happy with good at this point.” They all gasped, and I clapped a hand over my mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Too late,” Piper said. “Sounds like you dodged a bullet.”

“I wouldn’t know, but I wasn’t impressed with what I did experience.” I scowled.

“You need a clean break. Someone new. A fling,” Piper said.

“If she’s open to that. Not everyone is comfortable with something like that,” Valentina said.

“I never was,” Zoey agreed.

“At least a date. And you should wear that dress out of the store. You look so much happier in it than you looked in your other clothes,” Piper said.

“I haven’t paid for it yet,” I said.

Piper shook her head. “It’s okay. We can snip the tag off and shove your clothes into a bag so you can walk out of here feeling like yourself.”

“I don’t know,” I said, feeling like I was doing something wrong.

“How are we doing here?” the lady who greeted us when we walked in asked.

“She wanted to wear the dress out. Is that an option?” Piper asked.

The lady pulled out scissors from her apron. “Of course. Want me to cut the tag off for you?”

“Um, yeah, that would be great,” I said, turning and lifting my hair so she could get to the price tag on the back of the dress. I felt her fingers between the tag and my skin, then she released the dress.

“All set. I’ll hold on to this up front for when you’re ready. I can give you a bag for your clothes, too.”

“Thank you,” I said, wondering why my mother was so down on small towns my whole life. She said they were full of simple people who did simple things.

I found the place charming and comforting. A store owner who cut the tag off for me and let me wear clothes out of the store? A group of women who befriended me without a second thought? A bar owner who threatened to hurt someone because I was hurt? What wasn’t to like about it?

I grabbed my clothes from the dressing room and helped Zoey pick out one of the dresses to buy. Valentina decided to grab one for herself, too. Before we headed to the register, Valentina said the dresses were her treat.

“You don’t have to do that,” I told her.

“I inserted myself into today, and seeing the look on your face brings me so much joy. All of you. Plus, I’m getting one, too. Piper? You want one?” Valentina asked.

“Well, hell, now I have to or I’m the weird one who doesn’t join in. But you don’t have to pay for my dress,” Piper said.

Valentina snorted. “Oh, please, you can let someone buy you something once in a while.”

I got the feeling there was a story there, but I didn’t ask.

We all took our bags and headed outside. I walked out first and stopped when someone bumped into me.

He smelled like grass and freshness, like the garden after a heavy rain. My eyes closed before I could think about it, the scent of him washing over me and making me feel safe and cozy in an instant.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice skimming my body like he’d actually touched me.

“Yeah,” I said, forcing my eyes open. “I know you.”

He chuckled. “I think I’d remember if we’d met.”

Damn, that voice. The way it dropped at the end. The tease in it. My thighs tingled, my body rushing with heat and desire.

“I’m Andre,” he said, offering his hand. His gaze slid past me and lit up. “Ladies. Maybe we have met.” His eyes found mine again, studying me.

“I’m Joelle.” My hand fit in his, those tingles from my thighs working their way across my arm and lighting me up all over.

“The guest,” Andre said. “So, we’re both right.”

“Andre,” Piper said, stepping forward and giving him a hug. “How are you? No Molly?”

Andre laughed. “No, she’s home. I’m sure I’ll hear about it, though.”

I took a step back, pulling my hand from his. He had a wife, or girlfriend. Someone who was home but around enough that they knew her. I squashed those pesky tingles, not willing to step in the middle of something.

“Sebastian said you’re looking at getting a cage for her,” Zoey said, hugging Andre.

“A cage?” I blurted.

Valentina chuckled. “Molly is his cat. Andre owns Davidson Outdoors and maintains the property at the Inn where you’re staying.”

“Oh, you’re the one who woke me up on Sunday,” I blurted before I could stop the words.

Andre snorted. “Apologies.”

“I didn’t mean to say that,” I mumbled.

“Sure you did. But that’s okay. I’ll do my best to not wake you in the future.” Andre winked at me. Actually winked. Then his gaze slid down my body, his lips lifting in a grin.

Was he flirting with me? Did I like it? I was engaged… No, I wasn’t. I could flirt with a man. I could do whatever I wanted.

I didn’t know how to flirt. “I… um, yeah.”

Andre’s grin widened. “Nice to officially meet you, Joelle. How long are you in town?”

The others seemed to have drifted away. Why did they do that? “Um, I don’t know. I’m trying to figure that out.”

“Well, I hope to run into you again before you leave town. Sometime later than nine in the morning?”

“Ten?” I suggested.

He barked a laugh, the sound drawing the attention of those around us. “I’ll see what I can do.” He grabbed my hand. “Although seeing a woman fresh out of bed is always pretty damn appealing. Especially one so beautiful.”

He winked at me again, then continued on his way as though he hadn’t just talked about getting me into bed.

Valentina, Zoey, and Piper were at my side again, all swooning.

“What was that?” Valentina asked.

“I didn’t know you’d met,” Zoey said.

“He wants you bad,” Piper said.

I shook my head. “He was being friendly.”

“No one is that friendly unless they’re hoping to see you naked. And Andre is really hoping to see you naked. If you’re open to that fling, I think we just found a willing participant,” Piper said.

“Yeah, we did,” Valentina agreed. “Did you say you’re not sure how long you’re in town?”

I tore my gaze from where Andre had gone and nodded. “Yeah. My trip wasn’t exactly planned, and someone is checking into the room I’m in on Sunday.”

“What are you going to do?” Valentina asked.

“I don’t know.”

“We’re trying to figure something out,” Zoey said, trading a look with Piper. “It might not be the same as what you’re in now, but we do have one option.”

I looked at her, noticing the pinch around her eyes. “I don’t want to put you out. Just giving me a room has made a huge difference.”

“We hate the thought of throwing you out,” Zoey said.

“And we have a room we never rent out, but that you could use if you wanted to,” Piper said. “It’s not a great option because it’s on the ground floor, but it has a private bathroom and it’s clean.”

“It’s where my aunt would stay sometimes when the weather was bad and she didn’t want to have to go to her house during the winter. It hasn’t been updated, so it’s not as nice as the room you’re in.” Zoey looked guilty.

“Are you kidding me? You would let me stay?” I asked.

“It’s really not much. You should look at it and see what you think. We were talking yesterday and we all hate that we don’t have any availability for you, and Gavin mentioned the room. We’ve never rented it out, and I don’t think any of us have ever stayed in the room. It’s clean, but it’s not fancy.” Piper scrunched her nose.

“I’ll take it,” I said.

“You need to see it first,” Zoey argued.

“I really don’t. It’s… I’m not ready to leave here yet. This town… I like it here. And if you have a place where I can stay a little longer—”

“As long as you’d like,” Piper said.

“Even better. Thank you. Are you sure? I mean, I’ll keep paying, obviously, but are you sure you’re okay with me using this room?” I asked.

“Yes,” Piper and Zoey said.

“And,” Zoey continued, “we’re not going to ask you to keep paying.”

“Oh, I couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be right,” I said.

They shook their heads.

“Like Hudson said, we take care of our own. You’re one of us now,” Piper said.

Tears welled in my eyes. “I am so happy my battery died where it did and Sebastian saved me.”

Piper and Zoey snorted. “We are, too.”

“I’m gonna need to hear that story,” Valentina said. “Dinner?”

“Works for us,” we all said.

* * *

It was my last day in the room upstairs. Zoey and Piper showed me the room downstairs after our shopping trip, and it was so much better than they made it sound. Not that I cared. It was a place to sleep that wasn’t under my mother’s control. The room was cute, though, with a wrought iron queen bed, a small dresser, and a simple and clean bathroom that was more than enough for me.

Plus, it was close to the kitchen, and they said I could get anything I wanted any time I wanted, so I was good with the location of the room.

I listened to the sounds of the house, enjoying the silence around me. My room was at the end of the hall and very quiet. My mind drifted, reminding me what sent me to MacKellar Cove and the Inn to begin with.

I closed my eyes and tried to forget the image of my fiancé and my mother in the middle of having sex. His tux pants around his ankles. Her mother-of-the-bride dress hiked up around her hips.

~How could I have been so stupid?~

Ugh.

I should have cried. Or yelled. Or something. Instead, I just stood there, watching them.

They stopped when I gasped, but it was too late at that point. I’d seen enough.

The looks on their faces when they realized I was there…

As I thought back, I realized he had the decency to look ashamed. She looked triumphant. Like she hoped they’d get caught.

In the ~bride’s~ dressing room. At the church. Fifteen minutes before I was supposed to walk down the aisle. Not that I was the one using the bride’s room. She insisted she needed it.

And I gave in. Like always.

And she fucked my fiancé.

I rolled the word around in my mind. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I’d never said it out loud. Mother wouldn’t have it. Ladies didn’t curse.

I had a few curse words for them.

The loud buzz of the lawnmower outside my window interrupted my thoughts. Maybe I could practice on the man interrupting my quiet morning. How early did he have to start cutting the grass?

I dragged myself out of bed and stomped to the window. The view was spectacular with the river in the background, a small lighthouse in the middle of the water. Sunlight sparkled off the water, mocking my misery with the joyfulness of it.

The lawnmower came close again, dragging my attention from the view to… the view.

My body tingled as I watched Andre maneuver the equipment around the extensive property.

I leaned closer to the window, gawking. I couldn’t pull myself away. The motor buzzed louder as he came closer. I gasped. I should not be staring at him. Not again.

I licked my lips. He was not my type. At all. He was sweaty and dirty and muscled and the kind of man my mother would have turned her nose up at and told me to stay away from.

She fucked my fiancé. On my wedding day. In the bride’s room. At the church.

She didn’t get to tell me what to do anymore.

I swallowed, the thick ribbon of need spiraling through me, just like when we met in town. When he flirted with me and talked about seeing me in bed.

The lawnmower turned off, the sudden silence revealing the way I was panting as I watched him.

He looked up at me, catching me staring.

I gasped and stepped back. My cheeks warmed. He saw me. What a fool I was.

A whistle pierced the air.

I stepped closer, trying to see without being seen.

Andre was still there, sweaty, with dirt and grass streaked down his arms. He walked around his machine, then stopped and faced me. He jerked his head my way, a silent hello.

Why was I hiding? I was a single woman. The engagement ring I left behind when I walked away from my anticipated husband ensured that. I wasn’t cheating. I could do whatever I wanted.

Andre smiled, then reached back and grabbed the collar of his shirt, yanking it off in one sexy, smooth move.

I gasped.

He winked at me, slung the shirt over his shoulder, then replaced his sunglasses and climbed back on his machine.

I smiled. It was time to get some sunshine.