Page 79 of Falling For You

My tongue clicked against the back of my teeth as I shook my head. “About what?”

“Losing you.”

A forced laugh rolled off my lips. “Probably more so over being caught.”

She patted my arm gently and shook her head. “I didn’t get that feeling.”

“Well, I did.” My stomach knotted at the thought.

I wanted to believe that he genuinely didn’t want this to happen. Still, the problem was that he created the entire situation.

Abby sighed softly. “He wanted to tell you the moment he met you. That’s what he told me, and I believe it.”

“Yeah, he mentioned that to me, too.” I shrugged. “But he didn’t, and here we are.”

“You know he signed an NDA with Vern, right?”

I nodded, feeling my chest tighten. “He still could have hinted or—”

“I promise you, I’m not trying to play devil’s advocate or take his side, but those agreements are pretty serious. My friend had to sign one when she worked for some celebrity. She would be liable for a lot of money if she said a word. I can only imagine what Owen will face.”

My eyes connected with hers. “What do you meanwillface?”

“Well, tomorrow after Vern signs is when the NDA expires, and he told you today. He told us today.” She studied me. “He’s on the hook for what he did and what’s about to greet Vern and the investors tomorrow morning. They aren’t signing until the afternoon, so they’ll know it came from him.”

The thought hadn’t exactly crossed my mind.

I was so focused on the betrayal and all the feelings sliding over me that I didn’t stop to think about the timing. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Owen. He had broken the NDA by telling me about the deal, but it was too late.

His confession didn’t change anything in my eyes. The land was still being sold to someone other than my family, a resort was being built, and our lives were about to be uprooted.

I looked around the room and nodded slowly. This storm was rolling into Buttercup Lake, and it was not stopping.

Besides, it would be best for Owen’s sake if he understood what loyalty looked like in his future endeavors.

She cleared her throat and picked up the tray. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I saw him, and he looks like a mess. I think he truly feels bad about the turn of events.”

“So do I. My parents might lose everything.” I slipped my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. “And I basically invited him in and helped him to do it.”

“I understand why it feels that way, but maybe just think about the fact that he did tell you. He has given you time to rally the town.”

“Not much.”

“It might be enough.”

“Thanks, Abby.”

“Violet, darling!” Millie, the leader of the town’s infamous book club, waved me over with a grin. Her gray hair bounced as she gestured dramatically to the sign they were working on. “What do you think of our masterpiece? We’re making sure it catches everyone’s eye tomorrow!”

“It looks amazing.” It looked like a glitter jug threw up, but it got the point across. “You all are incredible.”

“Oh, we’re just getting started,” Millie said with a wink. “We’re spreading the word far and wide. By the time the protest rolls around tomorrow, we’ll have people from every corner of the county here to support you. We won’t let those big-city investors bulldoze over our community.”

Another woman from the book club and Millie’s granddaughter, Grace, chimed in. “Abby’s already got the café’s social media account blasting out the protest details on social media. We’ve been texting everyone in town. You know us—we’re relentless when we believe in something.”

I chuckled, even though my heart felt heavy. “I can’t thank you all enough. My family… we’re so grateful for all the support. This means the world to us.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Grace said softly, patting my hand. “Your family is a vital part of our town. Honey Leaf is a destination. Your petting zoo keeps this town fun. But we’re not just doing this for your family. This is about all of us. This is for the principal of it. If that resort goes up, Buttercup Lake will never be the same. We can’t let that happen.”

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