Page 49 of When Forever Falls Apart

“Maddy running into Myles.”

“Yes,” he says simply, but avoids making eye contact as he diverts his attention back onto the tray of donuts waiting to be iced. “I’m aware.”

“Okay, what is going on here?” Billie questions with frustration evident in her voice. “Are you back with Myles or something?”

I shake my head. “No! Why would you think that?”

Billie shrugs. “Did you sleep with him? I get it, make-up sex with an ex can be good… therapeutic.” She giggles.

Elliot stiffens his back, but keeps his expression hidden.

“No,” I reiterate. “Nothing at all like that happened. Look, it was just awkward, and Myles has a new girlfriend, so there’s that.”

“Aw, hon, I’m so sorry.” Billie’s voice softens. “Moving on so quickly and flaunting it in front of you is a dick move.”

I swallow with difficulty, then slowly lift my gaze to meet Elliot’s. In the corner of my eye, I spot a customer waiting at the counter.

“Billie, your customer is waiting to pay.”

“Be back in a sec,” she answers quickly.

With Billie gone, I lean into the sink and say to Elliot, “We should probably go shopping for the wedding.”

“Shopping?” Elliot questions.

“Yeah, it’s themed. Cowboys and stuff, you know, because it’s being held on Bluebell Ranch.”

Elliot pauses his icing, his eyebrows knitting together in annoyance as he glances at me. “You never said the wedding was themed. I willnotwear a cowboy hat.”

I place my hands on my hips. “Who said anything about wearing a cowboy hat?”

“I don’t like shopping.”

“You and every man out there,” I mutter under my breath. “How does after work sound? Unless, of course, you’re busy?”

Elliot turns away to mumble, “I have something on.”

“Oh, right.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Sure,” I say, attempting to mask my disappointment. As I leave the kitchen, a sense of frustration lingers, an unwelcome chip resting on my shoulder.

For the rest of the afternoon, I avoid Elliot, assuming his plans involve Ginger. Between customers, Billie tries to bring up Myles again, but my mood turns sour really quickly. I end up blaming it on period pain to get out of talking about it.

When the last customer leaves, Elliot disappears to the kitchen to tidy up and shut down the appliances. Billie and I wipe down the dining area, and once everything is in order, the three of us say goodbye.

Elliot offers to catch up later or call, so I head my sorry ass home, only to be greeted by silence and the same four walls.

Boredom.

Damn small towns. Where nothing ever changes.

I start on the book I picked up from The Book Basket, but my head’s not in it, even with smut in the first chapter. The main character is jerking off in the shower, and while that’s usually hot, I end up yawning and craving something more.

What I need is to burn off energy.

So I change into my workout shorts and crop top, lace up my runners, and head out for a run. As my feet hit the ground at a fast pace, I suspect this pent-up energy has a lot to do withthe itch I haven’t scratched. The idea of a one-night stand flits through my mind, but the thought of being intimate with a stranger does nothing for me.