Abby What an arrogant ass. He’s just as egotistical as he always was. I rub my temples as the back door slams shut behind Karl. I stalk back across the room, giving John a look as I pass. He lifts his hands in supplication. “Sorry, boss. But to be fair, he started it.” “This is a kitchen,
Abby He doesn’t respond for a moment, and I hold my breath. Is he angry? Hurt? Annoyed? It’s impossible to read the expression on his face. “Oh,” he finally says, leaning back in his seat. “Just helping out?” I nod. “He insisted on helping, so I put him in the back. Tonight, he was doing
Abby At least she whispers it. I glance around, but none of my employees seem to have heard her. I shush her, grabbing her arm. Karl smirks. “Chloe.” She glowers at him. “Karl.” “You’ll be working with Jack again,” I say to Karl, squeezing Chloe’s arm a little. The last thing I need is
“I remember,” I say. “I promise I’m not getting back together with him.” She gestures around at the restaurant like it’s the ultimate proof. “He can’t just weasel his way back into your life now,” she says. “Look at how far you’ve come! Look at all you’ve accomplished! If you let him back in, he’
Abby “Seeing anyone new?” I ask Leah, trying to take a bit of the attention off me. She turns and gives me a cheeky grin. “Always.” “Anyone of note?” Her smile grows. “Always.” I don’t think Leah’s ever been in a serious relationship, and I’m confident she never wants to. I’m more
“Maybe you guys just need to rekindle the romance,” Chloe says. I can’t help but think it’s a little early to need to ‘rekindle’ anything, but I don’t say so. “Yeah, take a night out to have some fun,” Leah adds with a wink. It doesn’t take a genius to get the message. If I want passion in my re
The kitchen doors swing open, and I pull my hand away from Karl’s. It’s Ethan. I don’t know why I feel like I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn’t. Ethan doesn’t seem to notice as he crosses the room and picks up the cup. “Thanks,” he says, his voice sounding groggy. “I really needed thi
Abby She just glares at me, then turns and slips back into the crowd. I watch her go until she reaches the bar, where her friends are waiting for her. “She doesn’t like me very much.” “Yeah, I got that.” He wraps his arms around me when a slower song starts up, and we sway together. “Don’t
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha