Page 61 of Take This Heart
“Mmm. Yeah, no. You don’t get to sweet-talk me.” Her eyes soften and I feel hopeful that maybe she doesn’t really hate me after all.
But then they get defiant and I’m not hopeful at all.
“He had everyone fooled,” she says. “Me, most of all.”
“What happened?”
“I found out that the entire two years we’d dated at school, he’d had a girlfriend he was also engaged to back home. He went by his middle name at school and wasn’t on any social media, and was a little funny about taking pictures, but I thought it was just because he wanted tolive in the moment. That was his line and I thought that was so charming and unique.” She rolls her eyes. “I had my wedding dress, invitations, flowers,everything,planned and paid for. His college roommate was the one to finally tell me the truth, and I think that was only because he knew Wes was really going to marry the other girl...which he did, the week beforewewere supposed to get married.”
“Fuck.” I’ve moved closer to her again and she’s softly petting Kevin’s ears. I want to find Wes Chandler and destroy everything he’s ever worked for.
She glances down at the little puppy and blinks, a tear falling down her cheek. She swipes it away.
“I hate talking about it. Idon’tusually talk about it. Ever. I avoid even thinking about it. It’s the most humiliating part of my life.” She shakes her head when more tears fall. “I’m not crying because I still love him. I haven’t loved him in years. I’m crying because I was such a fool.”
Her eyes are devastating when she stares up at me. I put my fingers on her chin and lift it up, so she won’t look away.
“You could never be a fool,” I tell her. “You’re the smartest person I know.”
She lets out a shaky laugh. “I’m a lot smarter now.” She takes a deep breath, a big step back, and resolve washes over her face. “And I willneverbe a fool again.”
Fuck. Me.
“Have you been in love?” she asks.
“I thought I was.”
“When?”
“It was six or seven years ago.”
“What happened?”
I make a face. “If anyone’s been a fool, it’s me. Roshana. We weren’t living together, but occasionally she’d stay at my place when I was out of town. I think she was pushing for that, but I wasn’t ready for that. Anyway, I flew in earlier than she was expecting and I caught her on my desktop, transferring a large sum of money to her bank account. Sort of broke my trust.” I lift a shoulder. “I would’ve gladly given it to her if she’d asked, but once she did that, I saw it wasn’t the first time she’d taken something from me. A watch of my grandfather’s…”
The door bursts open and Camden walks in. Goldie and I jump apart like we’re doing something wrong. Camden smiles and then it falters when he sees Goldie’s face.
“Hey, you guys. You okay?” he asks her.
“Yes, totally. I’m fine,” she says.
“Okay.” He looks uncertain, but when she doesn’t offer anything else, he puts his hands in his pockets. “You’re just the two I wanted to see,” he says.
“What’s up?” I ask, while Goldie turns and tries to subtly wipe away any stray tears from her face.
“I hoped we could brainstorm a little about the restaurant.”
“Oh, yes, I really hoped we could solidify the plans before you head back to Colorado,” Goldie says, perking up.
“That’s what I was thinking too,” he says. “You know how the property has that open meadow just north of the cabins? I was thinking we could turn part of that into a working garden.”
Goldie brightens. “And do farm-to-table?”
“Exactly. I’ve been talking to Dad about it. Real produce grown right here. Tomatoes, squash, herbs, berries, you nameit. We could have a small greenhouse too, for year-round fruits and vegetables. Whatever we don’t grow, we still get locally. McMann’s cheese and milk. Apples from the Snyders.”
“I love this idea.” Goldie grins.
“I’m thinking a little more rustic than my restaurant in Colorado. A big wood-fired oven, open kitchen, that kind of vibe.”
