Page 48 of Burning Embers
“I’m enjoying the attention. And being wanted is something I don’t feel I’ve ever had before… But I’m a single mum, and he’s a hot-as-hell bachelor. He’s not lacking in the personality department, either. He wouldn’t struggle to find someone more suited.”
Soph crosses her arms and frowns. “Then why are you with him?”
I trace an invisible mark on the counter. “Because I like him, and I want to live in this bubble for as long as possible,” I reply, honestly.
“Rachel, you don’t give yourself enough credit. I wish you could see what we all see. You deserve to be doted on and have someone love you. You’d want that for Molly, wouldn’t you?’
I straighten up and stare at her. “Of course.”
“Then do yourself a favour and start leading by example.”
I understand what she’s saying, but self-doubt and self-sabotage are hard habits to break. I guess I’m used to being let down emotionally—by my parents and then Marcus. It just became more comfortable to be as independent as possible, to not rely on anyone else. That way they can’t hurt me.
“I don’t mean to be all preachy,” she says. “I want the best for you.”
I nod. I honestly feel so lucky both she and Felicity accepted me as a friend and into their circle—warts and all. I’ve made mistakes, but they didn’t judge me on those. “Thank you. I know I’m a little hard to swallow at times, but I do appreciate your friendship.”
She laughs. “You arenothard to swallow. I see the walls you’ve built… It’s easy to see when I’ve been there myself. But we are all just trying to take it one day a time. We’re all a work in progress.”
I digest her words, knowing she’s right. So maybe, for now, I can enjoy whatever this is between Olly and me. Maybe I can allow myself to have hope again.
Chapter Thirty-Two
OLLY
I haven’t been able to see Rachel much—only small, stolen moments when I stop by the deli—but we’ve talked on the phone every night, laughing about and discussing everything and nothing.
Hearing a commotion, I look up from restocking the bottles. “What the fuck?” I mumble. Marcus is supposed to have Molly tonight. He already appears half-cut, and I’m sure he’s going to be as arrogant as ever.
“Marcus,” I say, approaching him from behind the bar.
He double-takes, then smirks—yeah, he knows who I am all right. “Well, if it isn’t the flavour of the month,” he says.
I ignore his jab and cross my arms. “Aren’t you meant to be with your daughter?”
“It’s none of your fucking business.”
I clench my fists. “Well, that’s where you’re wrong.”
He leans on the bar, and I can smell the alcohol oozing from his breath. “No, I’m not. Because whatever you may think is going on between you and Rach—you are sorely mistaken. We have a past, we’re just going through stuff right now, but it’s only a matter of time before she takes me back.”
I cock an eyebrow. He believes the shit that is coming out of his mouth. “I doubt you shirking your duties as a parent is going to win her back,” I retort.
His nostrils flare. “Why would you want some ready-made family anyway? What’s wrong with you? You some kind of perv?”
I lunge forward, grabbing the arsehole by the collar of his shirt. “I’ll let that slide because you’re drunk. Next time, I won’t be so amicable.” I release my hold, and he wobbles onto his feet. I stand on the rail on the inside of the bar—giving me a little extra height—and signal for Jase.
“You’re just a fuck to her, you’ll see.”
“Jase, show him the door.”
He nods. “You got it.” His hand cups Marcus’s elbow, but he shrugs him off.
“Oh, and Marcus?” His eyes stare daggers at me. “You’re barred. Stay the fuck out of this bar.”
“Fuck you,” he spits as he ambles to the exit, shoving people as he goes.
“Everything all right, mate?”
