Page 51 of Keeping Happily Ever After

“I haven’t called either.”

“No.”

The word hung between them.

“Bella, I—”

“I hate this—”

They spoke at the same time and it broke the tension between them. “You go first,” Bella said with a laugh.

“I miss you.”

She exhaled slowly. “I miss you, too.”

“Is everything going okay there? You’re enjoying it?”

Bella didn’t want to read too much into his question. He was only asking because he cared. Not because he was hoping that she hated it and would go running back to Glacier Falls and him. He wasn’t like that. She forced the negative feelings away. “I am,” she said. “A lot. It’s been really busy but so great. I can’t remember the last time I sang so much.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Again, Bella couldn’t help but think she heard something in his voice. Was that the way it was going to be between them now? She was going to second-guess everything he said and wonder whether he was going to try to get her to come back? Would he ever support her? Did they even stand a chance?

Bella hated herself for doubting him.

“I am. But I’m absolutely exhausted.”

“Bella!” Bryan called to her from the stage. “It’s your turn next,” he half sang into the microphone.

“Who was that?” Jeremy asked. “Are you out somewhere?”

“I actually am.” She shook her head no at Bryan, and laughed a little when he pretended to reel her in. “They want me to sing karaoke.”

“Sounds fun. I thought you were exhausted?”

She definitely hadn’t imagined the inflection in his voice that time.

“I am.”

“Are you out with a—”

“Co-worker,” she said before he could imply any different. She turned away so she wouldn’t be able to see Bryan. “And how are things there?” She shifted the topic to safer subjects. “Has the chief made an official announcement?”

“That’s actually why I’m calling. That and of course I miss your voice,” he added quickly. “There’s going to be a bit of a ceremony to make it all official and welcome me as the chief.”

“That’s great, Jeremy. You deserve that. This is a big deal.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

Bella laughed. “Of course it is. Fire chief? That’s huge.”

“Will you come?”

She couldn’t believe he would even have to ask. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.” She sat up straight, a grin on her face despite the fact that he couldn’t see it. He’d be able to hear it in her voice and that was important right now. It wasveryimportant. The divide between them was too wide; she needed to close it however she could. Because yes, she’d been so busy since getting to the city and starting to work, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t found plenty of time to think about Jeremy and miss him. A lot. “I can’t wait to celebrate with you. You absolutely deserve this, Jer. I’m so excited for you.”

“Thank you, Bella.”

It wasn’t her imagination that she heard a sigh of relief in his voice. A softness. Gone was the hesitant, unsure Jeremy he’d been when she’d answered. Happiness filled her. Maybe this was it? Maybe they’d finally be able to get back to each other and fix what was starting to crack between them.

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