“If you’re over him, then it shouldn’t matter.”
“So, Wyatt is going to be home.”
Carrie Anne groaned. “As far as I know, he isn’t. I’m just saying if you were really over him, Wyatt being here wouldn’t be a big deal.”
Gabby paused as she picked up a picture of her and Carrie Anne. “I am over him.” She put the picture in the box. It was no secret Carrie Anne wanted Gabby to be an official member of their family, so to thwart her best friend meddling, she added, “In fact, I’m dating someone.”
A small gasp answered. “You are? Why didn’t you tell me? Who is it?”
“Yep, it just started, and he’s a coworker.” Wow, a double lie in one sentence. There was no dating, and she was no longer employed. It would take a while for the second part of that thought to sink in.
“What’s his name?”
A name? Shoot. She should have thought this through a little better before opening her big fat trap. “Tim Redmane. He’s a great guy, but like I said, it’s still early.”
“Ohhh! I’m so happy for you. If that Tim guy is smart, he’ll sweep you off your feet, and before you know it, you’ll be married too.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, you hopeless romantic.”
Sighing heavily, Carrie Anne said, “Fine. At least I get to see you tomorrow. Are you bringing Tim home?”
“No way. It’s too early in the relationship.” Even more so for a non-existent one.
“Well, I get to meet him before it’s too serious. Maybe I can even convince him to get you to move back home.”
Laughing, Gabby rolled her eyes. “Carrie Anne, you are a mess, but I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“You’re picking me up at the airport, right?”
Carrie Anne waited a beat and replied, “Uh…actually, I can’t. The wedding planner I wanted just had a cancellation and that’s the only time she has available to meet, but you will have a ride, I promise. I can’t wait to see you after the appointment.”
Gabby was a little disappointed that Carrie Anne wouldn’t be there to greet her at the airport, but she understood with the wedding being so soon.
“Late night with popcorn and A Knight’s Tale?” Gabby smiled.
“It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without that.”
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
They said their goodbyes, and Gabby ended the call.
Every time she thought about going home, anxiety would nearly cripple her. She’d stayed away from her home and family—her mom, dad, and sister—because of Wyatt. Always coming up with excuses as to why they should visit her. She’d played it off as being swamped at the paper, and to a degree, she was. As an intern, she’d been given all the crummy grunt work and bad hours, including weekends and every federally observed holiday, plus a few the newspaper made up.
Of course, Gabby’s family visited her on occasion, but it wasn’t the same. Walking the streets of Charleston didn’t have the same effect as Caprock Canyon. Heartache wasn’t waiting for her around every corner as it did at home. In Charleston, they were just streets, not memories.
Those years she’d worked as an intern had taught her that if she fought hard enough, she could get through anything. Which meant she’d get through going home. Now that she thought about it, five years was a really long time. How much had things changed? How much had she changed? Well, she’d soon find out.
She finished packing up her office, took the office key off her keyring, and with a sigh, she looked around. This was where she’d done most of her growing up. Where she’d learned how to take criticism, meet demands, and stand on her own two feet. It was where she pushed down homesickness…and shed more than a few tears when things were hard. Now what was she going to do?
Setting her wristlet on top, she picked up the box and walked to the door. Giving it one more glance over, she inwardly said goodbye and flicked the light off. At least this was coming at a time when she was headed back to her hometown. With Wyatt not being there this time, she’d be able to get her legs under her. She’d lick her wounds and then come back with an updated resume and the determination to start over.
At least Wyatt’s absence would give her the chance to face memories without an audience. She was different, the town was different, and she could tackle things now that she couldn’t when she’d left. Still, the first step was always the hardest. With a little gumption, she’d get through it.
Grab your copy of The Best Friend’s Billionaire Brother and find out if Wyatt finally sees Gabby as more than just an extra little sister.
Also by Bree Livingston
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About the Author
Bree Livingston lives in the West Texas Panhandle with her husband, children, and cats. She'd have a dog, but they took a vote and the cats won. Not in numbers, but attitude. They wouldn't even debate. They just leveled their little beady eyes at her and that was all it took for her to nix getting a dog. Her hobbies include...nothing because she writes all the time.
She loves carbs, but the love ends there. No, that's not true. The love usually winds up on her hips which is why she loves writing romance. The love in the pages of her books are sweet and clean, and they definitely don't add pounds when you step on the scale. Unless of course, you're actually holding a Kindle while you're weighing. Put the Kindle down and try again. Also, the cookie because that could be the problem too. She knows from experience.
Join her mailing list to be the first to find out publishing news, contests, and more by going to her website at https://www.breelivingston.com.
Mending The Billionaire Brother (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 3) Page 19