Page 72 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

Suzy Jameson sneers as she says, “Their husbands own some big businesses in the other part of town and both of them are on the town council. Regina and Denise. Denise was the one who was mouthing off mostly. They like to rub shoulders with the wealthy and since that part of town is more catered towards their tastes, they tend to stay there.”

I smile wickedly at this. “Is that so?”

Jerry studies me. “Were they talkin

g about Finn?” He has a concerned look in his eye.

I sigh. “He’s not engaged to that woman. I checked. He’s engaged to me.”

“You said yes?” someone asks, excitedly, remembering the incident from last night.

I pause as I realize that this will spread like wildfire. “No. I mean, yes. But please don’t—”

From the looks on the faces there, my words have zero impact, and the diner is filled with congratulations.

I feel flustered by so much attention. Sharon is smiling broadly and I give her a helpless look as she laughs and finally gets everyone to back off.

“So, I take it this is not going to be an isolated incident?” she asks when she finally rescues me.

I shake my head. “I did meet Elaine Merington last night, but she just called me a whore and threatened me.” My smile turns evil. “So I went home and had sex with Finn. Of course that was after clearing up the whole situation with him.”

Sharon’s lips twitch. “So why is she…?”

I skim over the details, avoiding anything that is personal to Finn, basically just giving the woman the gist of the story.

Sharon looks annoyed. “But Finn doesn’t love her.”

“She’s going to try and spread rumors if today was any indication,” I say, lightly.

Sharon’s lips tighten. “Don’t worry. If I hear anything, I’ll set them straight.”

I smile at her. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

The noise dies down after that but I’m on my guard.

Danny and Nick drop by, and judging from their faces, Sharon has already told them.

When Lucia finds out, she’s livid. “I can’t believe she has the gall to threaten you!” However, she looks uneasy. “I did overhear two patients discussing something like this today. I heard the name Elaine but not your name. If I had known, I would have put them in their place!”

The corner of my lips curl up. “Don’t worry about spreading it around. I just wanted those who were close to me to know that Finn isn’t cheating on anyone.” A sneer forms on my face. “And I’d like to see what little Miss Elaine can do to me aside from attempting to smear my reputation.”

Nick lets out a chuckle. “Well, you are kind of feared. Nobody who knows you would come and say anything to your face. You’ll flay their skin off with your words alone.”

Danny suddenly looks excited and he nudges me. “Hey, text me when something is about to go down. I don’t want to miss this show.”

“Me too!” Nick grins.

I give them an exasperated look. “Don’t you two have better things to do with your time?”

Lucia gives them a withering glance. “That’s true. Shame on you.” Then she turns to me, anxiously. “But you’ll text me right?”

An argument breaks out between the three of them.

Used to this behavior, I ignore them moving on to work the lunch crowd. Not seeing Finn makes me a little despondent and I wonder if this is one of his ways to get me to seek him out. I smirk and taking out my phone, shoot him a picture of a breaking heart.

Twenty minutes later, my lover strolls into the diner, casually, his laptop stuck under his arm, pretending to look surprised to see me. “Darlin’, I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”

I give him a dry look. “I work here. Where else would I be?”

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