Page 17 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“Hey there, hot stuff,” Willow greeted, her wavy hair catching the morning light as she entered. “How was yoga?”
Aubrey poured herself some orange juice and took a long sip, savoring the tart sweetness. “Sweaty. Intense. Exactly what I needed.”
Willow leaned against the counter, her eyes twinkling. “Well, hope you’re ready for more intensity. Charly’s picking us up in forty-five for the caterer tastings.”
“Sounds good,” Aubrey said. “Any idea what we’re in for?”
“Knowing Charly? Probably enough food to feed half of Timber Falls.” Willow chuckled. “Oh, and don’t forget your discerning palate. We’re counting on those chef skills of yours.”
Aubrey felt a familiar pang at the mention of her former career. “I’ll do my best,” she said, forcing a smile. “Better go get ready then.”
“Be quick,” Willow said, moving to fix herself a coffee.
As Aubrey headed to her room, her mind drifted to the potential sale of the farmhouse. The extra cash could help her find a place in town, somewhere that didn’t constantly remind her of how far she’d fallen from her old life.
Standing before her closet, Aubrey surveyed her options. “Practical, but stylish,” she muttered, pulling out a pair of dark-wash jeans and a soft, cream-colored sweater. She added a statement necklace and ankle boots.
Once she’d showered and finished getting ready, she caught her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked…different. Just nothing like the dream-chasing woman from Atlanta. Harder. Lost. So damn confused.
She reached up, smoothing the lines between her eyes away. She glanced to her lips, missing her smile that used to come so easy. She stared into her dark gaze again and saw each and every hurt she’d endured. Her father. Chef Bisset. Boyfriend after boyfriend walking away. And Gunner…the one that hurt most. Because she’d believed him, that he cared, and she was so stupid to have done that. She’d only known him a week.
But the truth was there, written in every hard line of her face. She missed the young girl she’d once been, who didn’t know people were so cruel.
Sick of her thoughts, she sauntered back into the kitchen, her heeled boots clicking against the weathered wood floor. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread enveloped her, a comforting contrast to the crisp winter air seeping through the farmhouse’s old windows.
Willow stood at the counter, her waves cascading over her shoulders as she spread jam on toast. She glanced up, a warm smile lighting her face. “Just in time. I made us a quick bite.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Aubrey said, reaching for a mug. “I swear, if I had to face Charly’s boundless morning energy on an empty stomach, I might snap.”
Willow laughed, the sound rich and genuine. “God forbid we unleash hangry Aubrey on unsuspecting caterers.”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow, fighting a grin. “Hey, my discerning palate comes with a price.”
As they leaned against the counter, munching on toast and jam and sipping coffee, Aubrey felt a familiar warmth bloom in her chest. As much as Timber Falls didn’t feel like home, being with Willow did.
“So,” Willow said, “on a scale of one to ‘I’d rather eat glass,’ how excited are you for today’s tasting extravaganza?”
Aubrey snorted. “Let’s call it a solid ‘mildly intrigued with a side of trepidation.’” She paused, her voice softening. “But honestly? It’ll be nice to be around food again. To see someone creating something…special.”
Willow reached out, squeezing Aubrey’s arm. “You could do more of that at the bar, you know? More than just apps and cocktails. We’d just have to find a way to make it work.”
Before Aubrey could retort that it wasn’t as easy as Willow suggested, the sound of tires crunching on gravel cut through the quiet morning. Charly’s arrival.
“Showtime.” Willow grinned and grabbed her coat.
Aubrey took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. “Let’s do this.”
As they gathered their things, excitement and apprehension swirled in Aubrey’s stomach. She followed Willow to the door, and then stepped outside, her breath forming small clouds as she walked toward Charly’s car. But her steps faltered as her eyes landed on an unexpected figure in the passenger seat. Gunner, looking far too comfortable for her liking, flashed her a lazy grin through the window.
“Ugh. Why?” Aubrey muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing.
As they approached, Charly rolled down her window, her warm eyes sparkling with barely concealed excitement. “Morning, ladies! Hope you don’t mind our extra passenger.”
Aubrey forced a smile. “Don’t mind one bit.”
As she slid into the back seat, Gunner turned, his eyes locking with hers. “Hello, darlin’.” There was a hint of challenge in his voice.
Aubrey’s heart raced, a mix of irritation and something else she refused to name. This day had just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
