Page 16 of Where the Heart Is

Great, just what she needed: a reminder of how this all-round shitty day had gone awry.

Sawyer stiffened and slammed his car door shut without getting in. ‘What’s he doing here?’

‘No idea.’

‘I’ll gladly kick his arse if you want me too,’ Sawyer muttered, drawing his shoulders back and leaving Mila in little doubt he’d make good on his offer if she wanted.

Not that she’d take him up on it, but it was nice to see Sawyer in defensive mode, ready to protect her honour if she asked. A bonus, seeing his shirt stretch across his chest, hinting at muscles she had no right ogling. Those few illicit moments in his lap had addled her brain, along with his joking proposal. Because while thrown out in jest, for a second she’d envisaged being married to Sawyer and known it would’ve been far from platonic.

‘I can take care of Phil,’ she said, raising a hand in a half-hearted wave at her runaway groom.

‘That’s what the lech is counting on,’ Sawyer muttered. A deep frown grooved his brow as Phil strode towards them.

‘Be nice,’ she murmured, seeing Phil’s steps falter the exact second he recognised Sawyer.

‘Sawyer Mann. Long time no see.’ Phil held out his hand. ‘What brings you to town?’

‘A wedding that’s not happening because of you, apparently.’ Sawyer ignored Phil’s hand and the older guy lowered it, his expression sheepish.

‘That’s between me and Mila—’

‘Cut the bullshit, Phil. I know all about your fake marriage.’ Sawyer’s glower made Phil take a backward step and Mila stifled a grin.

Not that she needed Sawyer to protect her but having him bristle at Phil like a guard dog felt kind of nice. She’d been taking care of herself for a long time and wore her independence like a gold medal. But Phil had ruined her plans for saving the farm so having Sawyer give him a hard time made her want to hug him.

‘Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,’ Phil said, his lopsided smile not earning any brownie points with her. ‘I’ve contacted everyone and told them I’ve met someone and I called off the wedding because of the other woman, so you don’t look bad.’

Animosity radiated off Sawyer and she laid a hand on his arm.

‘Actually, Phil, that doesn’t make me look bad, but it does make me look like a loser.’

Phil’s confused gaze swung between her and Sawyer. ‘But I thought I was doing the right thing, taking the blame for the wedding not going ahead.’

She should be more magnanimous, but it wasn’t until this moment that Mila realised she’d be the talk of Ashe Ridge for months to come. She’d done such a good job of fooling herself and the rest of the town into believing this marriage was real—dinners at the pub with Phil, shopping at the farmers market together, baking for the school’s fundraising stall—that she’d probably have to fend off countless questions and pitying hugs for ages.

‘I’m sorry, Mila.’ Phil held out his hands, palms up, like he had nothing to hide. ‘I wish things could be different.’

‘I don’t.’ Sawyer glared at Phil with such ferocity that fear glinted in Phil’s eyes. ‘Now why don’t you piss off and leave Mila alone.’

‘We’re neighbours and friends, so why don’t you head back to where you came from?’

Phil reiterating they were neighbours and she’d be stuck with him for the foreseeable future—unless the unthinkable happened and she lost the farm—must’ve hit home for Sawyer. Some of the tension drained from his shoulders and he managed a brief nod.

‘See you round, Phil.’

She almost felt sorry for her friend as his gaze swung between her and Sawyer, wondering if she was okay. ‘Thanks, Phil,’ she said, effectively turning her back on him when he looked like he’d stick around.

Hearing his footsteps crunch on the gravel as he walked away, she finally relaxed, surprised by the emotion clogging her throat again. She’d always hated being the centre of attention and to have people staring at her over the next few weeks … ugh.

‘Are you okay?’ Sawyer tipped her chin up. ‘It’s not too late for me to whip his arse.’

‘I’m fine,’ she said, but it came out shakier than she intended.

‘Hey, let me take you out to lunch. You’ll be doing me a favour. I hate eating alone.’

The last thing Mila felt like doing was parading herself through town on what should’ve been her wedding day. Then again, showing everyone how completely unaffected she was by Phil dumping her would stave off the inevitable pity and quash the gossip.

‘Sounds like a plan.’

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