Page 95 of Fake It Till You Make It

“Of course. You’re one of us.”

Amarie exhaled. She couldn’t do this. “I would’ve loved it, but… I have enough money saved on my own to get me set up back in the city.”

Kanaan nodded, his intelligent blue eyes shadowed. “What about Eli?”

“We want different things from life.”

“Remember what I said about Eli doing everything solo?”

She sighed. “Right. You warned me.”

“More of a preparation,” Kanaan said, expression sad. “Eli sucked on his own. He’s a couple kind of guy, Amarie. Whether you leave or stay, you’re his other half. You make him want to be a better man.”

“Thanks, Kanaan. You’re a great cousin. But I have to do what’s best for me now.”

“Well,” he said, flexing his biceps, “I’m still available since my lug nut of a relative messed up the best woman to ever happen to this family since Aunt Leah.”

Amarie raised both hands. “Put those away,” she chided. “I’m weaning myself off country boys.”

“Geesh, that bad, huh?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“I heard your mom was in town. Is that going to keep you here any longer?”

“Ah, I’m the reason she’s here. As soon as I can pull myself together,” she pointed to her tear-streaked face, “we’re gone.” Though she had no idea how many hours it required to stitch a broken heart.

“Amarie.” He uncrossed his muscle forearms and offered his hand. “It’s been a pleasure, meeting you. And thanks for bringing a smile to Eli’s ugly mug.”

“How much do I owe you for fixing Prince?”

“Oh, pretty lady. I owe you for rescuing my family. You’re the real deal, Amarie Walker.” He opened his arms. She walked into his embrace. “Take all the time you need,” he whispered.

Amarie rose up on tiptoes and gave him a hug. “Thanks. I could kiss you.”

She didn’t. Her kisses belonged to Eli, even if he didn’t belong to her anymore. If she left now, she could make it back to Leah’s, get the luggage and her mother in the car,and reach the interstate before dark. Maybe she’d wait till everyone was at the Black Bear celebrating the end of the auction. Could she leave without a goodbye to her friends? Calvary Vet Clinic and Eli would be okay. The Auction Luv Buzz banner had reappeared on the site, as well as the number of bidders. Odd, but Tobias had garnered the most bids. Seems Noah’s first bid was so high, it had knocked a lot of the local ladies out of the running. She’d follow the final tally from the road. She’d used everything in her tool kit, everything in her arsenal, to fund the life that she wanted. She’d helped her friend Leah in the process. And somewhere along the journey, she and her mom had plugged the hole in their relationship. Amarie felt proud of herself then and now. With her father and Russell out of the picture, she had a feeling that they both would continue to blossom where they were planted. Even if it wasn’t Service.

“Kanaan, the keys,” she prompted, patting his back.

“Sure,” he said, “I’ll go grab them.”

She climbed in Prince’s back seat, like she’d done as a kid, and immediately she exhaled, relieved to feel the familiar cool leather against her skin. She’d have to say goodbye to Leah, Billy, Jean, and Diana. Tobias, Noah, Matt Johnson, Ruth, and Phoebe. Harry the horse, though they hadn’t quite bonded. She was practically the godmother to Belle’s foal. Hiccup and the kittens she’d save for last because she wasn’t ready to look into Eli’s handsome face. But he spared her the trouble by ripping open her back door with enough force to rattle the floorboards.

Kanaan. He must have surrendered her location. She should’ve paid him. Then she could storm up the stairs, grab her check, and rip it into tiny pieces.

“Jeezuz.” Amarie jerked. “You almost caught these hands, scaring me like that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was worried about you. Everyone is,” Eli breathed, folding his big body into the back seat with her. The interior shrank to just them, and the rest of the world faded away. He cupped her face in his large hands. “I’m so sorry. Please. Please, forgive me. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“You suck at being a boyfriend. Don’t quit your day job.”

He scooped her up in his arms, placing her in his lap. “I know. Never been the fastest learner.”

Amarie certainly felt like she’d been in a major crash. Not only did her heart hurt, she felt drained, wrung out, and stretched to her breaking point.

“How did you find me?”

“Your story from when you were eleven,” he breathed. “About feeling safe in Prince.”