Page 127 of First Bride to Fall
“Oh, that’s awesome. How great.”
Headlights poured into the café, and they turned toward the street.
Her heart thumped. This was really happening. She was going to England.
More importantly, she was going to save her family. Her “me time” would come. She believed that now. It hadn’t been derailed—only delayed.
“I guess that’s my car.”
She peered out the front-facing windows, for a moment having the fleeting hope that Grant would be there. But he wasn’t.
“Safe travels, love,” her dad said with a hug.
Nell hugged each of them in turn again.
“Well.” She picked up her bags. “I’m off to London.”
…
Grant sat at his breakfast table before dawn, drinking his tea and staring at his one birthday gift from Nell. His small staff at his store often did something nice for his birthday, like bring in a cake or some cookies, but Grant hadn’t gotten an actual present in years. When Susan and he had been on and off again, they’d typically been “off” during his birthday, which had suited him fine.
He was glad Susan was back with Paul and that they were building a life together. She’d known Paul first, and he’d always been her true love, Grant guessed. He considered the lofty ideal, the concept of a once-in-a-lifetime romance. Then he shook his head, remembering he’d foolishly believed he’d potentially found that with Nell.
And now, she was off to find that with Aidan.
Or would she?
It was hard to conceive of any man kissing Nell the way that he had, with his whole soul and being. He didn’t enjoy thinking about it, either. What did this Aidan guy have that was so special? Billions of bucks? So what?
There were tons of rich folks in the world, but money didn’t make a person.
Character did.
So, Aidan owned his own business? Well, Grant could claim that, too. Only Grant started his store—he didn’t inherit it from his dad.
Did Aidan have a great sense of humor? Could he turn a phrase?
Probably not. It was doubtful.
Play Scrabble with Nell and make her laugh?
Grant doubted those things, too.
Could Aidan reach into his pocket and pull out a rainbow?
Grant hadn’texactlydone that, but the smile on Nell’s face had made him feel like he had.
Grant thumped the table with his palm, then reached for Nell’s package, sliding it toward him. He didn’t know why she’d brought him a gift, and he was conflicted over the fact that she had. Maybe it was a goodbye gift, a peace offering of sorts. Something to make up for the way she’d lied to him.
He pulled off the blue bow, recalling that he’d told Nell that blue was his favorite color. Had she remembered, or had this pretty ribbon just been the luck of the draw? He guessed he should be grateful she’d brought him a gift, but it was hard to be happy knowing she was flying off to marry somebody else.
He ripped back the paper and found a simple white box with a lid.
It looked like a shirt box from a department store.
He frowned. Maybe she’d gotten him a polo?
Why?
