Page 88 of The Secret Heir Next Door

None of this makes sense.

Was that all for show?

Was all of it fake?

The way he kisses me, the way he makes love to me, the way he’s taken care of me and helped me with my business, was it all just a means to an end?

What’s so important about the sale of this building that he needs to trick me?

Is there a million dollars buried in the walls or something?

Did he feel guilty that I would be out on my ass soon, and that’s why he’s been helping me with my business?

Shit. I have to stop running through all of this over and over again.

I blow out a long breath, closing my eyes and focusing on the present.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

All of this hurts so bad because I really wanted to trust him. I wanted to love him and let him love me.

Yeah, we’re complete opposites, but damn if it wasn’t so exhilarating to be with him.

The bell over the door jingles, breaking through my thoughts. Lila and Emily walk in, arms loaded with takeout bags and determined expressions. “Oh, thank God. Please tell me you’re here to save me and not just bring me more things to stress about.”

“Would we do that to you?” Lila grins, setting down her bags on the counter and revealing a spread of sandwiches and fries. “Okay, maybe we would. But not today.”

Emily nudges Lila aside, hands already reaching for the nearest order form. “You looked like you were on the edge of a meltdown when you called, so we’re here to rescue you. And byrescue, I mean feed you and help you fill orders because we all know you’re a workaholic who hasn’t eaten since yesterday.”

“I ate this morning,” I protest, though I’m pretty sure coffee doesn’t count.

She gives me a look that says she’s not buying it. “Uh-huh. And I’m the Queen of England.”

Lila nudges me with her hip as she unwraps a sandwich and shoves it into my hands. “Eat first, then we’ll tackle the fudge apocalypse.”

I roll my eyes but take a bite of the sandwich. The food is good, but it’s their company that’s making me feel like I can actually breathe again. I didn’t realize how much I needed them until they showed up. I guess I’ve been so caught up in trying to fix everything myself that I forgot I don’t have to do it alone.

“Alright, boss,” Lila says, clapping her hands together once I’ve finished half the sandwich. “Where do you want us?”

“Anywhere that isn’t here,” I joke, but then I hand them both stacks of order forms. “Emily, you’re on fudge duty. Lila, can you handle the taffy? I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Consider it done,” Emily says, already tying on an apron. “Also, I brought wine for later. You know, when we’re done pretending we’re responsible adults.”

“Love that for us,” Lila chimes in as she snaps on gloves. “Nothing says ‘we’ve got our lives together’ like eating our feelings after a day of wrapping candy.”

I smile for the first time in what feels like forever because this is what I needed. Just my girls, some food, and a little laughter to cut through the chaos. For a moment, I can almost forget about Logan, the eviction, and everything else that's falling apart.

Almost.

We work in a steady rhythm, the sounds of crinkling wrappers and the faint buzz of the label printer filling the space between us. It’s comforting in a way. We’re piecing togethersomething bigger than just fudge and candy. Maybe, just maybe, we’re stitching my life back together one sweet at a time.

“So,” Lila starts, glancing at me with that mischievous glint in her eyes. “You gonna tell us what’s really going on with you and Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?”

“Did you talk to him about everything?” Emily adds.

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s always complicated,” Lila waves her hand dismissively. “Life’s complicated. But you’ve got that look, girl. The one that says you’re about to either cry or break something.”

---