“Tastes better on your lips,” he whispered, then dropped the spoon into the sink and walked out of her kitchen. She stared at the granite counter until she heard the front door shut with a click. Her knees gave way and she sank to the hardwood floor, bending forward to wrap her arms around Frank’s thick neck. The dog let himself be tugged into her lap.
“I’m in trouble, Frankie,” she whispered to the animal. “Big trouble.”
“You’re in trouble,” Jenny told her the next day.
Sam sat between Jenny and Chloe on the velvet couch outside the bridal shop dressing room. It was the last wedding dress fitting before the ceremony, and the three of them were waiting to see Kendall’s gown reveal.
Sam slid a glance toward Jenny. “Why do you say that?”
“You’re eating real chocolate,” the redhead fired back, gesturing to the small pile of foil wrappers on Sam’s lap. “You don’t eat real food.”
“I eat only real food,” Sam said around a mouthful of candy. She swiped the back of her hand across her lips.
“I don’t mean real ‘rabbit’ food,” Jenny clarified. “I mean the yummy stuff with sugar and cream and lots of crap in it.”
The saleswoman who was straightening a nearby rack of bridesmaid dresses sniffed. “I beg your pardon, but we don’t offer our clients crap.”
“No need to beg,” Jenny said sweetly. “I meant it as a compliment.”
“It’s very good,” Chloe told the woman with a bright smile. “I like that you support a local candy maker.”
Sam coughed to hide her laugh as Jenny rolled her eyes. All of it was true, though. The chocolates were from a candy shop a block away from the toy store Chloe owned in the Highlands neighborhood west of downtown. They were delicious and full of ingredients Sam normally wouldn’t eat.
After so many years of abusing herself, when Sam hit rock bottom she’d made the commitment to honor her body and what she put into it.
She grabbed the wrappers and stuffed them into her purse.
“What happened?” Jenny asked when the saleswoman moved away.
Sam sighed. “He made me feel special.”
It felt stupid to say those words, even though they were true. She could deal with judgment from Trevor. She’d worked hard to leave behind the woman she used to be, but the thought that he believed she was different felt uncomfortable and irritating, like a rock in her shoe.
“Of course you’re special,” Chloe said gently, moving closer on the couch and taking Sam’s hand. “We know it, and it’s about time you let a man see that side of you.”
Sam tried to smile but her mouth wouldn’t move. “I sound like an idiot,” she muttered. “Forget I said anything.”
“Did you screw up?” Jenny bit the edge of her thumbnail.
Chloe squeezed Sam’s hand more tightly.
Sam sighed. “Not unless you count tripping over the dog and falling on my butt, then shrieking at Trevor while splayed across the kitchen floor. He must think I’m a lunatic.”
Jenny rolled her eyes. “The annoying thing is you probably made crazy look gorgeous. Really, Cover Girl, your face sometimes gets in the way.”
Chloe let out a little groan but Sam only laughed. “Tell me about it.”
“Don’t worry,” Jenny answered. “I will.”
When Kendall had first introduced Jenny to their group, Sam thought the redhead was all snark. She soon realized that Jenny’s mask was even more firmly in place than her own. All that brashness hid the heart of a sensitive woman. While Chloe and Kendall were sometimes shocked by Jenny’s outrageous comments, Sam never minded them.
“Don’t screw it up,” Jenny told her now, and Sam saw the pain in the woman’s eyes before she hid it. Shortly after Kendall and Ty met, Jenny had also found her perfect man. So perfect, in fact, that she’d sabotaged their relationship even though he truly cared about her.
“I don’t want anything from Trevor,” Sam lied. “We’re only together because . . . well, this is about Grace.”
“This is about how much that man hurt you,” Jenny countered. “Even though you were the one who left.”
Sam shrugged. “He let me go.”
“He should have never let you go,” Chloe murmured. “You are worth holding on to, Sam. You have to believe that.”
Wasn’t that just the rub? She thought she’d grown enough that she could believe it but now—
The curtain in front of the dressing area parted, and Sam gasped as Kendall stepped toward them. All three women rushed forward and there were a few moments of hugging and crying as they exclaimed over their beautiful friend as a bride.
“You look like something out of a fairy tale,” Chloe whispered.
“Ty is going to lose his mind,” Jenny added.
Kendall smiled and swiped at her cheeks. “Don’t make me cry.” She pointed at Sam. “If you cry, I’m going to cry.”
“I’m not crying,” Sam said, even as she dabbed at the corner of one eye. “I don’t cry.” Except these days she was a veritable watering pot. It was embarrassing.
Kendall was a beautiful bride, and the dress she’d chosen was perfect for her. It was elegant and classy with just a touch of whimsy. The material was silk chiffon, which draped and fell in layers over her curves. Her creamy skin was set off by the ivory lace across the strapless bodice and more delicate lace over the fitted waist and flared ball-gown skirt.
“You have a train,” Jenny murmured, sounding a bit awestruck. “Like a princess.”
Kendall’s brows shot up but Jenny laughed and hugged her. “Just kidding,” the redhead said quickly. Sam knew one of Ty’s nicknames for Kendall when they’d first met had been Princess, which he mainly used to annoy the hardworking news anchor. It hadn’t exactly been love at first sight, which made Kendall’s happily-ever-after so much sweeter.
“Are those flowers?” Chloe reached forward to gently trace the gold stitching of the lace train.
Kendall nodded, her smile widening. “Even though most of his work is with Owen’s foundation these days, Ty still loves gardening.”
Sam raised a brow. “I think you once called it ‘mucking around in the dirt.’”
“I was a brat,” Kendall said. “Now I want to honor what he loves.”
“What he loves most of all is you,” Jenny told her. Jenny and Ty were like brother and sister, and the redhead had taken over Ty’s landscaping business when he went to work for the environmental foundation funded by local billionaire Owen Dalton.
“I wouldn’t be here without my friends.”
Sam felt Jenny step away and pulled her back into their tight circle. “Nice try, Red. But we’re a package deal. You’re friends with Ty. You’re friends with Kendall. You’re stuck with all of us.”
“I know, but you three were friends first. I get that and it’s fine. Besides . . .”
Chloe’s delicately arched brows furrowed. “Besides what?”
“Owen’s going to be at the wedding, right?”
Kendall nodded. “Of course.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly leave things with him on good terms after—”
“You cheated on him,” Sam supplied.
Jenny cringed as Chloe elbowed Sam in the ribs.
“What? She told us the story. Everyone’s worried about me screwing up, and we’re standing here with the reigning queen of self-sabotage.”
“We weren’t even dating,” Jenny mumbled. “Officially.”
“That hottie tech genius was head over heels for you,” Sam argued. “You purposely ruined it.”
“Be nice,” Kendall counseled, like she was speaking to a toddler or a puppy.
Sam arched a brow at Jenny. “Do you want nice or honest?”
The redhead studied her for a moment. “From you, honest. We’ve got Chloe for nice.”
“Exactly.” Sam rested her head on Chloe’s shoulder. “You’re the sweetest person we know, and Kendall is the most beautiful bride.”
“Hey,”
Chloe protested, but there was a smile in her voice.
“The most beautiful bride this month,” Sam clarified. Chloe had married Ben in Las Vegas last summer after a whirlwind and tumultuous courtship. The hot-tempered celebrity chef was the polar opposite of Chloe’s gentle nature, but they were a perfect match for each other.
It was good to see two of her friends happy, but it came with a twinge of envy. Sam couldn’t imagine loving anyone the way Kendall and Chloe did. An image of Trevor popped into her mind. Ok, she could imagine falling in love that way, but the idea of having it reciprocated was totally foreign to her.
“What’s going on?” Kendall’s pale green gaze narrowed on Sam.
“She likes Trevor,” Jenny offered before Sam could speak.
“Of course she does,” Kendall said without hesitation. “He was the love of her life.”
Sam hated the color rising to her cheeks. Blushing was second only to crying on her off-limits list. “It isn’t quite—”
“She likes him now,” Chloe said, as if those words explained everything. “She likes likes him.”
Kendall gave a small nod. “That complicates things.”
“The dress is perfect, non?” All four women turned to see the owner of the bridal boutique standing in front of the dressing room.
“So perfect,” Chloe answered on a sigh.
Kendall held up a finger. “Give us one minute, please, and then I’ll be ready to take it off.”
The woman’s mouth thinned but she nodded. Kendall was a local celebrity, so there was certain to be free publicity from her wearing one of the boutique owner’s original designs.
“I don’t think her accent is real,” Jenny muttered when the stern-faced woman disappeared again. “She’s about as French as I am a PhD.”
“You could be a PhD.,” Chloe answered immediately. “You’re more intelligent than you give yourself credit for.”
“Going off topic,” Kendall told the two women.
Sam quirked a brow. “I like that topic way more.”
“Is it so bad to like like Trevor?” Kendall gently fingered the lace that fell over her slender hips.
“Yes, it is!” Sam didn’t realize she’d shouted until her friends took a step back. “Casual is one thing but I can’t risk it becoming more.” She had to keep what was between them contained or she feared it might devour her. That fear was too much to share, even with her friends, so she said, “The only reason he’s a part of my life is because of Grace. What if I mess up and lose my chance to have a relationship with her?”
“You don’t know you’ll mess it up,” Kendall countered.
“I’m guessing she’ll mess it up,” Jenny said with a humorless laugh. “I’ll be the queen of self-sabotage and Sam can be the prime minister.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “I’m surprised you know what a prime minister is.”
“I’ve watched Love Actually a dozen times,” Jenny shot back then stuck out her tongue. “Hugh Grant was the prime minister. He went to meetings, danced alone in his house—way hotter than Tom Cruise, by the way—and fell in love at a school Christmas pageant.” She stabbed her finger in the air. “Didn’t you go to your niece’s band concert the other day? See, it’s just like Love Actually.”
Sam, Kendall, and Chloe stared at the other woman for several long moments before Sam quietly said, “The way your mind works is terrifying.”
“Was it like Love Actually?” Chloe asked, leaning in close.
Sam shook her head. “I wish.”
“What are you going to do?”
Sam stepped away from her friends and grabbed another piece of chocolate from the candy bowl on the side table. “I’m going to ignore my feelings until they go away.”
“That doesn’t work,” Kendall murmured at the same time Jenny said, “Nice plan, Cover Girl.”
The boutique owner peeked out from the dressing room curtain and cleared her throat.
“Go,” Sam said, shooing Kendall away.
“Yeah,” Jenny agreed, “before Madame Sphincter blows a gasket.”
Kendall closed her eyes as the older woman gave a horrified sniff.
“We’re here for you,” Kendall said, giving Sam a quick hug. Chloe joined in and looped an arm around Jenny’s shoulders to bring her into the group.
“Whatever you need,” Chloe whispered.
Sam nodded and swallowed back her emotions because . . . damn it . . . no more crying. “I’ve got a meeting with the Bryce Hollow board,” she said, checking her watch. “You are beautiful, Ken, and I can’t wait for your big day.”
“I’ve got to go, too,” Jenny said. “Cooper has a basketball game after school so I want to finish up some paperwork on a new account.”
“I’ll wait,” Chloe said, and Kendall grabbed her hand.
“Come back with me,” Kendall said, her voice pitched low. “Madame Sphincter is kind of intense.”
Another French-sounding sniff.
Chloe linked her arm with Kendall’s and they turned for the dressing area as Sam and Jenny walked out into the morning sun. Although there was still snowpack up at camp, the city streets and sidewalks were clear and the distinct smell of spring freshened the air.
Sam loved the unpredictability of Denver weather and the bustle of an urban city that still held on to much of its cowboy heritage. Colorado had been the first place where she’d felt the intrinsic tug of connection that brought her back again and again, finally staying for good to build a new life in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.
The mountains west of the city were a constant reminder that she was small and insignificant in the face of such massive natural splendor—a strange comfort after leaving the artificial world of modeling.
She’d liked the way Denver, with its casual vibe, made her feel grounded. Made her feel real. So many people were transplants to the city that it felt like the right place to set down her own roots. But now she was at loose ends again. The breeze caught her hair and, while it was gentle, she felt as though the slightest pressure could blow her over.
“You don’t have to do it,” Jenny said.
“Go to the meeting?” Sam took her sunglasses out of her purse and put them on, lifting her head to enjoy the warmth of the spring day and the bluebird-colored sky that hovered over Denver. “I want to expand the camp and increase our funding base. It’s important for the future of Bryce Hollow.”
Jenny stepped closer, using one finger to pull the sunglasses down Sam’s nose. “I mean screw it up with Trevor.”
“There’s nothing to screw up,” Sam said, brushing away her friend’s hand.
“He makes you feel special.” Jenny studied her. “He makes you feel. Period. That’s scary as hell.”
“How do you know?”
“Nine months ago I deliberately hurt Owen. I’ve spent every night since polishing my sabotage-queen crown, and it sucks. Don’t make my mistake, Sam. You deserve some happiness.”
“I am happy.”
“Liar,” Jenny whispered. “When I look at you, I see me.” She waved a hand up and down in front of Sam. “Well, me if I was six inches taller with bigger boobs, a better butt, and all the other business you’ve got going on. But I see me in your eyes. The fear and loneliness. The desperation.”
“What does that say about you?”
“Nothing I don’t already know.”
Sam bit down on her bottom lip. “I like you better sarcastic.”
“Yeah, the truth’s a bummer. It still needs to be said.”
“Goes both ways,” Sam told her. “You’re going to the wedding and we know Owen will be there. If you regret how things ended with him, change it.”
“Too late,” Jenny muttered.
“Why for you and not for me?”
“Because I said so.”
“Because you’re afraid,” Sam countered.
“I did something horrible to him and he has every right to hate me for it. What happened with you and Trevor was years ago. Yo
u were kids. You’re older now and, hopefully, smarter.”
Sam snorted. “That’s debatable.”
“All I’m saying is when you see yourself going down that dark road to self-sabotage land, take a breath. Just take a breath and give yourself a minute. If I could have those moments in the coat closet back again, I swear I would have bolted before Owen ever saw me. Or better yet, I wouldn’t have gotten myself into that situation in the first place. Remember to breathe, Cover Girl.”
Jenny’s voice broke on the last word and she turned away, her shoulders rising and falling in a clear struggle to maintain her composure. Sam reached forward and drew the petite redhead into a tight hug. She knew Jenny didn’t offer up her vulnerable side often, and she appreciated that her friend made the effort now.
“I’m sorry we suck,” she whispered. “But I’m glad we suck together.”
“That sounds perverted,” Jenny said with a shaky laugh. She pulled back and stared hard at Sam. “Promise me you’ll take a breath when that time comes.”
“I don’t know if it will help,” Sam said, offering the redhead a skeptical smile. “But I promise I’ll try.”
CHAPTER TEN
Trevor was on his back under the main sink battling a leaky pipe when he heard voices in the camp’s kitchen. They were masculine and unfamiliar, so he backed out and stood. He dusted his palms off on his jeans and wiped a hand across his brow.
Neither of the two men standing in front of him looked surprised to see him, so he figured they must be friends of Sam’s. After the debacle at Grace’s band concert, he was trying hard to tamp down his possessiveness where she was concerned. It wasn’t easy in the face of these two.
The man who stepped forward first had sandy blond hair and the tanned face and broad shoulders of someone who spent a lot of time outside. He wore a casual flannel shirt, cargo pants, and work boots and looked like a guy Trevor would choose as a friend if given the chance. The other man was a few inches taller with darker hair and bit more spit and polish to him. His button-down shirt was rolled to the elbows, revealing a large and probably expensive metal watch.
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