Because of You by Becky Wade

Author:Becky Wade
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, FIC042040, FIC027020, FIC027270
ISBN: 9781493413409
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

Britt, in true friend fashion, had driven straight to Maddie’s apartment when she’d received Maddie’s text. Maddie had just finished bringing her up to speed on all that had transpired between her and Leo last night and this morning.

“You know how Deb is,” Britt said. “She often speaks without thinking.”

“She might speak without thinking, but she definitely says what she means. She wasn’t happy about Leo and me.”

“Her reaction may have had more to do with surprise and grief than anything else. She’ll come around.” Britt was perched on the edge of the coffee table, directly across from Maddie’s position on the sofa. Britt pulled one of Sweet Art’s miniature boxes, just large enough for two truffles, from her purse and handed it over. “I was at the shop making Christmas truffles for my family when I got your text. I figured that missing your twice-daily dose of chocolate was guaranteed to make this situation worse.”

“You’re supposed to be taking the day off. Sweet Art’s closed.”

“Not to me when I want to make Christmas truffles for my family.”

“I’m not family.”

“Just about,” Britt insisted, giving Maddie a staunch, direct look.

Hot tears constricted Maddie’s throat. She’d known she could trust her friend’s fierce brand of support. Flicking open the lid of the box, she revealed two dome-topped dark chocolates, crowned with perfect sprigs of green fondant holly and red fondant berries. “Thank you.” She couldn’t eat them at the moment because Deb’s words had left her feeling physically nauseous. But these truffles were evidence of her friend’s love for her. That’s what mattered.

“Maddie,” Britt said. “Don’t go all quavery on me. This isn’t the end for you and Leo. You haven’t done anything wrong. Deb is the one who’s in the wrong for reacting the way that she did.”

“It’s understandable, though. It was hard enough for us when Olivia died. But imagine what it was like for her, to lose a child.”

“Brutal,” Britt allowed. “But that doesn’t excuse Deb’s behavior this morning. She was rude.”

“She was upset.”

“She was rude.”

Maddie’s phone beeped to signal an incoming text. She glanced at it. I’m really sorry about Deb, Leo wrote. Maddie slanted the phone toward Britt so she could see, then typed, It’s okay.

She and I will talk it over later today, Leo replied. I hope you have a good Christmas.

You too.

“See,” Britt said. “Leo’s on it.”

Yes, and she loved the way that Leo had stood up to Deb this morning. He hadn’t been cowed the way she had. And yet . . . everything felt so subdued now. It was like she and Leo were two elementary school students who’d been having a great time together right up until they’d been caught and sent to the principal’s office.

“Don’t let this throw you off course,” Britt said. “This is an obstacle, that’s all. Any long relationship will have to overcome dozens of obstacles.”

“But we don’t really have a relationship yet. We haven’t gone on a single date.”

“Overcome this obstacle and go on your date. Then overcome another obstacle and another.

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