Page 100 of Fake It Till You Make It

“He accused me of sabotaging him,” Amarie railed while raking what was left of her toiletries into her suitcase.

“We all make mistakes, especially when emotions are involved. I actually believed having your ex-lover come after you was a good thing. Russell and that awful Cara have enlightened this old woman. The sooner those two skedaddle, the better for all of us.”

Service would adore her mother, the same way they’d welcomed Amarie. Gracie Lou would give her a coalminer sandwich on the house. Lois Kline would invite her for lemonade and pie. Amarie still was on the hook for a visit.

“Mom, are you sure?” she whined, they were running out of time to vamoose. “I dumped her son. They might hold you captive until you surrender my whereabouts.”

Eli would forgive her abrupt departure… eventually. But she feared the heartbreak would truly be a permanent condition if she tried to build a life in his town. So, Amarie chose herself over love.Go, she told herself. She had a plan to keep herself in motion. The next step for her took her beyond Service’s borders.

“Don’t be dramatic.” Bethany swapped a blue bandanna for a red. “They can just ask.”

“Mom, you can’t be a grifter and a snitch.”

Leah walked into the bedroom. Amarie snapped the suitcase closed on the last of her books. The ones with Eli’s fly-footprint handwriting scribbled in the notes. No. Don’t think about him. She was doing what was best for her. She’d given her best to Russell, who she wasn’t going to track down just to return his jacket, and to Eli.

“Hey, honey.” Leah looked from Amarie to the spoils at her feet.

“Leah, thank you for allowing me to stay.”

She nodded, her eyes sad. “I see you’re packed.”

“Yes,” Amarie murmured, shifting her feet. Oh, this was hard. She didn’t want to leave, but how could she stay?

“It would be wishful thinking on my part to ask if you’re moving everything to Eli’s place, wouldn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so. I wouldn’t want to lie to you.” Amarie swallowed her tears, clearing her throat before she spoke again. “I have a job interview. It’s at a Virginia hospital. This is my chance to show the world what I’m made of.”

“Oh, you don’t have to leave home for that. I know how talented you are. So does Eli.”

Home. Service had become her home and it was breaking what was left of her heart to leave.

“I can’t stay here with him. And I don’t know what can make it better.”

“We Calvarys owe you gratitude, Amarie. Now, what can I help you with?”

“Nothing. I have everything I need.” But not the man she wanted more than her breath.

“You sure about that?” Leah gave a dubious smile before darting out of the room. “How about a goodbye kiss for your babies?” She beamed, walking back in holding out a familiar basket.

Raspberry, Dove, Formerly, Graffiti, and Artist meowed a melody that brought tears to Amarie’s eyes. “Aw, Leah you don’t play fair.”

“’Course not. I’m a mom. We play to win.”

Amarie plucked each one from the basket. “Mommy loves you. Mommy loves you,” she cooed to each kitty. They clawed at her hand when she settled them back in their nest for the last time. “Be good for Daddy. And Graffiti and Artist can’t eat too late at night, their poo is extra runny and smelly when they do.”

“Give me those little fur balls.” Bethany took the basket,handing Leah a brown bag and travel mug Amarie hadn’t noticed. “I’ll put your luggage in the car. Let you two say your goodbyes in private.”

“There’s enough biscuits in here to get you to Alaska.” Amarie took the cup from Leah’s hand. “The coffee won’t last as long. But it’s the good kind, from the computer.”

“Now how can I turn that down from one of my best friends in the world?”

“Oh, sweetie, you know we’re more than friends.”

Yeah, Amarie was hoping that they would be family. Leah opened her arms and Amarie walked right into them.

“The whole town is going to miss you. They’ll be sad they didn’t get to see you off before your big adventure.”

There was a hint of remorse in Leah’s tone, but Amarie steeled her spine. It would only get tougher if she stuck around. So, for the first time in forever, she scrapped her checklist. She’d have to wing it for today.