Forgive & Regret by Kaitlyn Cross

Author:Kaitlyn Cross [Cross, Kaitlyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kaitlyn Cross
Published: 2015-04-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Stella shook Vicky’s hand on automatic pilot, and then proceeded to take a drink from her empty glass like a complete fool. Blushing beneath the twinkle lights strung from the underbelly of the tent, she cleared her throat and was about to speak when Vicky beat her to it.

“It is so nice to finally meet you, Stella.” Vicky stretched a pleasant smile that set off her blue eyes. “Hank dotes on you all the time.”

Stella swallowed the fact that Vicky couldn’t be more than ten years older than Stella, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. This lady was so far from her mother it made her stomach turn. Gold digger flickered through her mind, twisting her gut into knots. How could Hank fall for this? The next five years unfolded in the blink of an eye. It was easy to see. Vicky would take Hank for half of everything he owned, including the bar and the house. Jase would have to get a job at the car lot and Jenny would have to retire. Stella stepped closer, inhaling Vicky’s sweet smelling perfume, fighting the urge to vomit in her cheery face.

This was the librarian?

“I am so sorry I missed you earlier today,” Stella said, matching Vicky’s smile inch for inch. “It’s been crazy since I’ve been back.”

Vicky fanned a flippant hand, a large diamond ring leaving a shiny tracer through the air. “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up when you get settled in.”

Stella hung onto her pretend smile like it was a life preserver in turbulent waters. “I can’t wait.”

“And this is Sawyer,” Hank said, gesturing with his beer. “I call him my second son.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sawyer shook Vicky’s hand, his eyes as surprised as Stella’s.

“Nice to meet you, Sawyer.”

“Where are you from?”

“Portland.”

“Well, welcome to town.”

Vicky shifted in her yellow heels that complimented her jeans and fleece vest. “I love it here. It’s so cute.”

Hank raised his beer to Sawyer. “Vicky and I are throwing a little shindig at the house tomorrow night; you should stop by.”

Sawyer glanced at Stella, his eyes lighting up with the invitation.

Silently, she willed him to have other plans, to have mercy on her soul and just back the hell off.

Sawyer grinned at her. “I’d love to, Hank.”

Hank slapped him on the arm. “Fantastic!”

“Tomorrow night?” Stella heard herself say.

Hank’s eyes flicked to his daughter. “It’s Vicky’s birthday tomorrow.” He pulled Vicky against him, a glazed look in his eyes. “Just a little get-together.” He swallowed thickly under the weight of her pointed glare. “Probably only be an hour or so.”

Stella dropped her empty glass to the ground and stepped on it, wondering how she’d get out of this one. A birthday party for another woman! In her mother’s house? What was he thinking? Stella would just have to go to the bar and pretend to work because there was no way in hell she was singing Happy Birthday to this bitch, nor did she intend on running into Sawyer ever again.

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