Page 80 of Forbidden Desires

“Well, this is all a bit cute, isn’t it.” Cassie smiles at me. I didn’t see her arrive, but I run toward her.

“Cassie!” I wrap my arms around my beautiful friend, so grateful she came all this way to spend Thanksgiving with me.

“You got one of those for me?” asks Brandon.

I throw my arms around him as well. It feels like forever since I have seen them both. So much has changed. I have changed.

Brody comes to join us, never too far from my side. “Guys, this is Brody. Brody, this is Cassie and Brandon, my best friends from New York, I introduce them all.

I catch them up to speed and get them acquainted with all my new Deception Bay friends. Brandon hits it off with Noah instantly, and they go into deep discussion about the NFL.

“This is cool,” Cassie says, looking at the festivities going on around us.

“Apparently this is what they do every year. All the folks from around town bring a dish of food, and they all join here in the town square to share it. There is a parade and all. It’s a lot, but it’s adorable.” I smile, feeling like one of the locals.

She smiles back, and I can see she’s happy for me. “Are you okay?”

I know she’s referring to what happened last week. “I’m getting there. Still a little shaken up.” It’s been a week since the incident at the hotel, and while I’m starting to come to terms with what happened, I can’t help but look over my shoulder, especially when I’m alone. Which is rarely since Brody has taken to being my personal bodyguard. But today, I’m trying to put that behind me and be thankful for all the good I have found since coming to Deception Bay.

“I couldn’t believe it when you told me the story.” She shakes her head. “Here you were moving to a quiet little town in the hopes of a less eventful life, and this happens.”

“It was so unbelievable that even the police department was shocked. I’m told it’s the most action they’ve had to deal with since Mayor Harrington was caught up in some elaborate corruption scheme with a local underworld gang. And that was seventeen years ago.”

Her eyebrow lifts in surprise. “Hopefully now you can settle into your new life here and enjoy some time with your man. Can’t believe he offered to have us at his house for the weekend. He must really like you.”

“He does. Also, he’s not letting me out of his sight, so he kind of had no choice. Just wait till you see the ranch, it’s so beautiful.”

“Are you living out there now?” she asks more quietly so the boys won’t hear.

“Technically, I’m still living across the road in the blue house.” I point to it. “But I’ve stayed with him every night this week.” I smile, thinking about how amazing he’s been at taking care of me.

“Have you heard from your parents? Talk around town is Sarah got the lead in your father’s new production.”

“Good for her. She deserved it. I talked to my mom last week. She’s desperate for me to come home for Christmas, but my father is still being a stubborn asshole. I told her maybe next year.”

“That’s sad.”

I lean in. “I know, but it’s on him. What he doesn’t know is she’s booked a flight to come and see me in the new year. She’s dying to meet Brody. At least she’s happy for me and is trying to reconnect. She’s really surprised me.”

She smiles sympathetically. “Your dad will come around when he realizes how much of a massive ass he’s being.”

Emerson glances my way and smirks playfully. I have felt her eyes on me a lot this past week. I know she’s worried about me, and it’s nice to know I have so many people who care. “Em, this is Cassie, my friend from New York,” I introduce the two of them. “Em’s my boss and Brody’s sister.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Cassie, this one talks about you all the time. Your life in New York sounds so exciting.” Emerson moves her chair to come sit with us.

“It can be. Sounds like it’s you guys who have had all the excitement lately.”

“Isn't that the truth.” Em glances over her shoulder and leans in like she has a big, juicy secret to spill. “So, I’ve been doing some research. You know how we got that article rewritten, the nasty one about you and Brody? Well, I was curious as to why Hamilton didn’t get Annabelle Grace Turner to help us. Instead, he sent us to that intern Sophie Hilliar. Well, get this. Annabelle doesn’t exist.”

“Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent. I was dying to know who was leaking info to the paper from The Alexander. I mean, we can assume, right, Victor or Lana or even Mason, but I hate not knowing. I spent yesterday at the library going through all the birth records I could find. There is no one by that name. So, either she’s some sassy journalist who’s going under a pen name to keep her identity hidden, or it’s someone we know and they don’t want to be found out for all the secrets they’re spilling.”

“This town is juicy. Maybe I should move here with you.”

I flick my attention over to Cassie. “You so should.”

“I was joking. I kind of have a job I love in New York, but I will make a habit of visiting.” She laughs.

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