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Delaney
Icried the whole way down the mountain and all the way back into town. By the time I pulled into my parking spot in front of the bakery, my face was a red, splotchy mess and my eyes burned.
Damn Quinn McCauliffe. I should never have gotten involved with him.Everyone warned me, but did I listen? Nope, not me. I thought I’d be different. But I was just like every other girl to him. Things got complicated and he bailed.
My gut twisted at this thought. All he had to say wasstay,and I would have. One hundred percent. But now? It didn’t seem like he cared if I went to New York or not.
I plucked my cell off the seat, my finger hovering over Holden’s number. I should call him and tell him I’m in. Now, before his offer expired. My heart squeezed hard, a gnawing, empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I missed Quinn, and I hadn’t even left Peachtree Grove yet.
Another tear slid down my cheek and I swiped it away.Get your shit together, Delaney. You are better than this. You are not going to fall apart over some dumb guy.
Except Quinn wasn’t just some guy. And he wasn’t dumb. Hotheaded? Check. Stubborn? Check. Broody? Check. But also, funny, caring, and sexy as hell.
I dropped my head on the steering wheel, more confused than ever.
Tap, tap, tap.
Jumping a foot in the air at the sound, I swiveled towards the window. Mars had his face pressed up against the glass.
“Unlock the door.” He motioned to the lock and I hit the button. Hurrying to the other side of the van, he slid into the passenger seat, giving me a quick once over.
“Uh-oh. This doesn’t look good.”
“Oh, Mars. It’s worse than that. It went horribly.” Then I started to cry again, deep, heaving sobs.
“Aww, honey, don’t cry. We can still fix this.” Mars bent over the gear shift, pulling me into a hug.
“No, I don’t think we can,” I muffled into his shirt.
“What’d he say, sugar?”
“He told me to go.”
“Really?” Mars pulled back, his dark eyebrows knitted in confusion. “I’m surprised.”
“To be honest, I was too. I was expecting him to say stay and I totally would have.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Yes. I mean, practically. In so many words...I gave him options, none of which he took. He pretty much told me to do what I want.”
Mars facepalmed his forehead. “The two of you are going to need some therapy. Maybe Bree can squeeze you in. I swear—I told you to be honest, Lane, what the hell are you doing?”
“I put myself out there, Mars. He rejected me.”
“Did he? I find that hard to believe. The man is smitten with you. He definitely doesn’t want you to go.”
I shook my head. “He told me not to give up my dreams. So that means go.”
Mars half-sighed, half-laughed. “Uh, no. I think he was trying to be supportive, Lanie. I’m sure he wants you to stay, but didn’t want to look like an asshole asking you to give New York up for him.”
“You think?” I asked, biting my lower lip.
“Yeah. I know guys, Delaney. Trust me on this.”
“Now what?”
