Mr. January by Jules Hahn

Author:Jules Hahn [Hahn, Jules]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: firefighter; Friends to lovers; small town; reunion; brother's friend; misunderstanding; trust issues
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2022-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Crossing through the park, Ellen smiled, and a bubbly euphoria filled her. The awkward discussion had gone better than she could have imagined. Every horrible thing she figured he’d say never happened. Instead, he’d been kind, sympathetic, and understanding. His reaction had been completely the opposite to the anger and demands she expected. Slowing her pace, she frowned. Why? Hearing his friend and sister had sex had to be shocking, right? Only, instead of being surprised, he had been calm.

Her elation exploded like an overfilled balloon. An icy shiver, which had nothing to do with the frigid temperatures, sliced down her spine. She skidded to a stop and fisted her hands. Someone bumped her from behind. She turned.

“Oh, excuse me, Ellen. I guess I was too busy enjoying the holiday scene that I didn’t realize you stopped.” Mr. Winders shook his head. “Guess I need to pay better attention.” He strolled past her.

Ellen stared at his back. Mr. Winders wasn’t the only one who missed the signs. Frowning, she glanced at City Hall, then toward the fire station. How dare he! Her anger was irrational. After all, Dax had taken the brunt of Ben’s fury, whereas she got the calm, reasonable response. Still, he had no right to discuss something so personal with her brother without first informing her. A knot formed in her stomach. Hadn’t she done the same to Dax? She pushed the thought aside. Ben was her brother not Dax’s. Pivoting, she hurried across the street and ripped open the door to the café.

Betty and Maybelline stood at the counter, chatting. They turned.

Maybelline smiled. “Looks like you survived.”

Shushing Maybelline, Betty turned her attention to Ellen. “You okay?”

Nope, not even a little. Heck, she couldn’t even form a coherent thought. Ellen marched toward them. “I am, but I guarantee someone who won’t be.”

“Uh oh.” Betty frowned. “What did Dax do now?”

“He told Ben. Can you believe it?” Storming behind the counter, Ellen slammed her purse onto the counter. “And here I told Ben I was a sex addict.”

Maybelline rubbed her hands and waggled her brows. “Oh, I like the sound of that.”

“Would you hush.” Betty glared at Maybelline before turning back to Ellen and sighed. “Okay, why a sex addict?”

Ellen fanned a hand. “Well, I couldn’t use the whole friends-with-benefits thing. He’d think I lost my mind.”

“So, sex addiction was your solution?” Betty shook her head. “I told you not to complicate things.”

“Too late.” Ellen frowned, ignoring the heat burning her face. “You know I’m terrible at this stuff.”

Betty chuckled. “I’ll say.” She pressed a hand against the metal counter. “So now what?”

Ellen slid the purse strap on her shoulder. “Well, for starters, Dax owes me an explanation.”

“Now, wait just a second.” Betty caught Ellen’s arm, stopping her. “What was so wrong with him telling Ben?”

“He should have told me.” Ellen ripped away from Betty’s grip. “I’ve spent years worrying about Ben’s reaction for no reason.”

“So, then, why are you upset?”

“Dax lied.” Ellen jammed a finger into her chest.

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