Christmas at Carly's Cupcakes by Jessica Redland

Author:Jessica Redland [Redland, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

13

Eight days until Christmas

As I worked on Sunday morning, I kept glancing at the clock, wondering how early it would be acceptable to call Bethany to ask how it had gone with Joshua last night. I’d really struggled to sleep, replaying the ugly scenes with Paige in my mind and worrying about how this was going to affect my sister. At 7.30 a.m., I sent Bethany a text, asking her to call as soon as she was able. When Bethany’s name flashed up with a FaceTime request shortly after eight, I grabbed the phone, not caring that I was getting icing on it.

‘Bethany! Are you okay? How’s Joshua?’

‘We’re both fine.’ Her voice sounded strained and she wasn’t smiling so I was relieved when she added, ‘There’s still going to be a wedding.’

‘So what happened at New Year?’ I asked.

‘Nothing much.’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t know if you remember but we went to a party on a farm up the coast. Joshua says Paige was touchy-feely with him all night. He didn’t think much of it at first because she’s always like that, especially when she’s been drinking, but it got worse as the night went on. A bit of flirting turned to some suggestive remarks and he didn’t know what to do. He asked her to tone it down but she kept saying that she loved it when men played hard to get.’

‘What was she playing at? I said. ‘I can’t believe someone would do that to their best friend’s boyfriend. I wouldn’t dream of it.’

‘Neither would I, but that’s because we have morals. Some people, like Paige, obviously don’t.’ She grimaced and I could tell from her expression that she was still hurting. ‘Anyway, Joshua didn’t want to cause friction between Paige and me by making an issue of it so he ended up spending the evening trying to avoid her. I can remember him disappearing a lot that night and now it makes sense.

‘It was really loud and hot in the barn so Joshua got a drink and took it outside but Paige followed him. He turned to head back to the barn but she stopped him and said that there was no need to leave because of her, apologised for flirting and said she hadn’t meant to make him uncomfortable. Then she suddenly burst into tears so Joshua did exactly what I’d expect him to do with any of my friends if they were upset. He gave her a hug and told her it would all be all right. Next thing he knows, she’s trying to ram her tongue down his throat.’ She stuck her tongue out and grimaced. ‘He pushed her off but she kept lunging at him, saying that it could be their little secret and I didn’t need to know. He told her he had no secrets from me and would be telling me exactly what she’d done. He stormed back into the barn to find me.’

‘Why didn’t he tell you?’

‘I was on the dance floor with Amanda, Robyn and Leyla.

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