Page 64 of The Reason I Married Him
“Oh yes, I’m so sorry to hear about that. I can’t imagine what your family must be going through. I can only imagine howmuch easier it would have been if you had someone by your side to help you through it all. Like I have Matt.” She snuggles in close to him and smiles, the look on her face basically saying I won the prize...and you didn’t.
Well, guess what, Amanda? Matt had a very hard time finding the G-spot, and when he did, he congratulated himself with a personal, one-on-one handshake. So who really is winning?
“But yup, we’re having a little baby girl, and we’re so excited. Just moved into town where we can raise our baby in a beautiful, peaceful environment. And of course, Matt was just promoted and granted access to work remotely. Isn’t that great? He can be the father he’s always wanted to be and still provide for us financially.”
Is she trying to write her annual Christmas card right here on the spot? Because that’s what it sounds like. Next thing I know, she’ll start saying how they’re volunteering at the soup kitchen this year while also adopting a rescue dog from the shelter who will be named Mitzy. And isn’t that just adorable?
I’m stunned if I’m honest. How is this the same person I used to call my best friend?How can someone who I used to believe had my back—loved me unconditionally—be so callous and cruel now?
“Oh, and we just adopted the cutest little furball.” What are the odds? “A kitten named Whiskers. Isn’t that the sweetest name? Matt named him. And he told me he’ll be in charge of all the cat litter so I never have to worry about it.”
“What a hero,” I say with a thumbs-up.
“He truly is. Boy, do I wish you had a man in your life like him. I think it would really make you less grumpy and happier. I hope that’s not offensive.” It’s really offensive. “I’ve just been asking around about you, you know, wanting to see how you’vebeen since we’ve had our falling out, and the word around the street is that you’re the grump of Almond Bay.”
Uh . . . pardon me?
That’s news.
“The grump?” I ask, falling for it of course.
“Yes. Apparently, a lot of the locals were happy when Hattie took over The Almond Store because she’s much warmer like Cassidy was.” I feel Wyatt place his hand on my back while stepping in closer, reminding me that I’m not alone in this conversation. His embrace is kind, but I feel utterly humiliated that he is witnessing this. “Although, Cassidy and Hattie were always so close, and youwerethe outcast in the family.”
Thanks for the reminder.
For digging your dagger right where you know it belongs.
That’s what happens when you know someone so well for so long—they understand your trigger points. And she nailed this one.
“Well, it was great seeing you,” I say with the fakest smile I can muster, desperately wanting to cut this short before she takes that dagger and goes after my other trigger points.
“So great seeing you. Maybe one day, you’ll find the kind of love that Matt and I have found.”
Jesus Christ.
When she came to Almond Bay, did she make it her mission to find me one day and just drive it home that I’m single and she’s not?
That she is with my ex-boyfriend?
That I seem like some grumpy loser with nothing going for me other than the dirt on my knees and the paint under my fingernails?
I hate that she’s making me feel inferior. I have different goals in my life.
I hate that she’s making me second-guess myself even though I’m confident in my choices.
And I hate that she’s put a sense of panic in my heart to prove to her that I’m not the kind of person she thinks I am.
A panic so strong . . . so overwhelming that before I can stop myself, I lean back into Wyatt and say, “Already found it, with this guy.” I rap my knuckles on his thick chest.
Both Matt’s and Amanda’s eyes move up as they take in the tall, broad-shouldered Wyatt standing directly behind me.
“Oh,” Amanda says, looking startled. “I just assumed he was one of your helpers out on the farm. He’s so . . . large.”
I look up at Wyatt’s face and do not miss the scowl. But he replaces it with one of congeniality and lends out his hand to both Amanda and Matt, who shake it. “My name is Wyatt. Nice to meet you. I do help Aubree out on the farm, not that she needs it. She’s so incredibly resourceful, strong, and independent. Talented. But my main job is writing books and making sure she’s happy and satisfied.” I look up at Wyatt just in time to see him wink.
Normally, I’d roll my eyes at the comment, but given the situation, I just go along with it as his hand on my waist grows tighter.
“Well.” Amanda lets out what seems like a frustrated sigh. “I guess that’s great. Good to see you’re in a happy relationship.”
