Page 481 of One More Kiss

“You’re right. Well, I’m fine. Just working to keep my mind busy.”

She flashes me one of her pity looks, which I fucking hate. “She’ll be back in a couple weeks,” she reminds me as if I don’t already know that. “So while I’m glad you aren’t wallowing around, I need to get you out of this house.”

“I’ve been out,” I retort, though she knows it’s only a half-truth.

“To the studio is not going out. C’mon. Get cleaned up and dressed. You’re taking me to the church dinner tonight.”

Smiling, I nod.

I’d been working so much, I filled up every ounce of space on my shelves, which meant I had to start glazing them so I could put them in the kiln next. I loved every step of the process, but glazing was something I could do without much thought. Creatively, I just did what felt right for that piece, and no two were the same.

Per Aunt Millie’s request, I cleaned up and dressed so I could take her to the monthly church dinner. It was good to get out of the house for a change, but just another reminder that I was missing my other half. I told Mama and Millie about her return and anticipated permanent return, yet they refused to allow me to stay cooped up while I waited for that moment.

“Oh, did you hear?” Katie, a girl I’ve known since kindergarten, leans over her chair.

“Hear what?” I ask, turning to face her. Her eyes widen as she licks her lips, and I know it must be something juicy.

“Harmony was caught having an affair with one of her daddy’s best friends, and he cut her off, completely.” Her eyes widen with a smirk on her face. “No more fancy clothes, expensive car, and getting her hair done every week.”

“What a pity.” I snort. “Guess she’ll have to start hustling for her next sugar daddy.”

“Well rumor has it she caught one of those STDs, so unless her sugar daddy doesn’t mind double-wrapping every time, I doubt she’ll find one who’ll want to take care of her.”

I choke back a laugh at her words but realize it’s funny as hell.

“Well, karma’s a bitch when you get caught fucking a married man,” I say, not feeling the least bit of pity for her. It’d been a long time coming for karma to catch up to Harmony and her antics.

“The best part? The guy’s wife had suspected something for quite some time and hid one of those nanny cams in their bedroom, so she got the entire show on camera.” She arches a brow with a knowing grin. Yeah, that’ll be somehow “leaked” out.

I leave the church dinner in a much better mood than when I arrived. Seeing familiar faces definitely helped.

“Thanks for dragging me out, Aunt Millie,” I say, kissing her cheek before opening the car door.

“You’re very welcome. Now stop ignoring my phone calls, so I don’t have to do it again.” She winks, and I nod.

Once I’m back inside the house, I’m not the least bit tired. I decide to walk around the back. Henry greets me out there as I wander around the garden and cottage. It’s been quiet out here ever since guests stopped staying, which was probably for the best given my state of mind during those months.

Getting a new idea, I pull my key out and open the cottage door. I’ve only been in here to keep up with the dusting and cleaning, but now that I’m looking at it in a whole new light, I decide it could use a makeover. Something that’ll actually get some use.

And when I think of Vada, I get the best idea yet.

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