Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
But it wasn’t just the town I abandoned… it was her too.
So I spoke the truth. “Elle, I asked you to come with me.”
“Only because you knew I’d never say yes.”
I shook my head, confused. “Do you hear yourself right now? You make no sense whatsoever.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Oh really?”
I held my hands out at my sides. “What are we, ten now?”
Ignoring my remark, she continued, “You know how much I love this town. You knew I’d never agree to leave with you. You only asked me to clear your conscience while you ran away from everyone who loves you for no reason other than trying to prove a point to yourself that you didn’t have to!”
“Elle,” I coaxed. “That’s not fair.”
“What’s not fair is that you own this place now! That’s not fair! Do you have any idea how badly that sucks for everyone? Especially the town residents who have been here since before you were born. Everyone knows you hate it here! We live in fear that you’ll immediately sell it off to the highest bidder without giving a shit about what they want to do with this place.”
I scoffed. “And you think I could do that to everyone?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know you anymore, and I more than likely never did.”
“Noelle, you’re the only one who did know me. I know you believe me.”
“Again, with the right words, but your actions speak way louder. You can rest your case, Nicholas. Now, if we can get back to our tour, follow me this way, Mr. Saint Clair. I’ll lead you to the kitchen.”
She turned, about to take a step, and I grabbed her wrist, holding her in place. “Give me a chance to make things right between us. Please…”
She glanced down at my hold before looking up at me through her long, dark lashes. “Why now? Huh? Where have you been for the past thirteen years? You’re only here because you have to be, and I refuse to be a commodity to you.” She yanked her arm away. “I’m done with this conversation.”
I watched her walk toward the back of the bakery and followed her, admiring the view. Even in her oversized overalls, she was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. It was like the girl next door turned into a goddess. Her mid-length, wavy, caramel-colored hair bounced off her slender back, simply accentuating her ass that was perfectly molded against the jean material on her silky skin.
The familiar scent of her coconut shampoo mixed with her vanilla perfume had my head slightly spinning with each step I took. For the longest time, the smell of her lingered on my pillow well after I left. We used to watch movies in my bed for hours at a time. Our bedrooms were our hangouts growing up, and I recalled those warm memories often.
Maybe it was why I kept myself working. It was easier to forget the life I left behind. Especially the life I could have had…
With her.
CHAPTER 3
NOELLE
Later that night, I finished adding the final touches to my Christmas tree when my doorbell rang. Seconds later, Felix called out, “It’s just me!”
I smiled, hearing his voice. “I’m in the living room!” I stepped off the ladder as his footsteps came down the hall, spinning to face him.
“Hey, you—”
He smiled big and bright, immediately holding up what looked like a cockapoo puppy in his hands. He was fully aware I’d never be able to resist such a fluff ball.
“Oh…” I held my hand out in front of me. “No, you don’t!”
“Noelle…” he charmed, holding the adorable puppy out in front of him.
Wiggling my finger as if it would do something, I warned, “Don’t you even dare, Felix.”
“It’s only for a few days. A couple of weeks, tops! Well, I mean… at least until he’s old enough to be adopted.”
“Felix… I have no time to take care of a puppy.”
He held the fluff ball up to his cheek. “But look at him,” he baited, unable to resist. “How can you say no to this face?”
As if on cue, the puppy stuck out his tongue, and I swear it shot right to my heart.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me right now. You know how busy I’ll be until the new year.”
“Doll, what’s your excuse for the rest of the year?”
“Ha ha.”
“Fine.” He pouted the most pitiful face, and the cockapoo must have been a paid actor because he gave me those puppy eyes, and I was a goner.
Felix didn’t miss a beat, adding, “I guess he’ll just have to live at the shelter all by himself with no one to love him. Then he’ll have abandonment issues and won’t take kindly to strangers trying to adopt him. You know what happens when they don’t get adopted, Noelle…”