Page 105 of How to Break My Heart

“I just needed to see you.”

With a shuffle, I glance up to look at him. “One day, I’m buying that house.”

Aston chuckles. “I don’t think it’s habitable.”

“Houdini thinks it is.”

“Houdini?”

“A frog. He comes and goes, hence the name.”

“Right…” Aston trails off. “Are you smoking a joint while you’re talking to your imaginary friend?”

I smack his chest with a grin. “He’s not imaginary! Though, I do admit talking to a frog does make me sound cuckoo. Do you know how many times I’ve thought about lying in this bed with you? I hated how much I thought about you in high school.”

Aston kisses my forehead. “I’ve also thought about you in this bed. I was just the fool who couldn’t see past his ego.”

We lie together for another hour, but then reality becomes unavoidable. I reach for my phone to ensure Billie opened the store, and Chloe came in to assist. With Billie’s mom still recovering, I tell Billie to leave early. Chloe can run the store today, and anyway, I plan to stop by later.

As for tomorrow, our store is officially closed for the first time ever. Chloe offered to open up and work, but I wanted one day to relax and be focused on my best friend.

Aston is dead tired, falling asleep again, so I muster my way out of his arms to put my clothes back on. Sneaking out of his room feels so juvenile as I tiptoe down the hall to Maddy’s bedroom.

Just like Aston, she is fast asleep. So I grab my bag from the room and head straight to the shower. By the time I’m completely dressed and downstairs, no one has joined me.

I sit at the kitchen counter and enjoy a strong coffee prepared by Hilda. With my focus on my phone, ensuring emails are up-to-date and everything is ready for the rehearsal dinner tonight, I don’t hear footsteps behind me.

“Good morning, Everleigh,” a voice calls.

My body twists on the tall stool to see Mr. Beaumont behind me. I force a smile and offer him some coffee, which he accepts.

So much for a stress-free morning.

“I know I haven’t had a chance to speak to you privately,” he starts, slow and steady. “However, now would be the perfect opportunity to thank you for all your time and effort in making my daughter happy.”

I drop my gaze, focusing on the cup between my hands. “Maddy’s happiness means everything to me. She’s my best friend.”

“Yes, I’m aware the two of you have a close relationship. I’m sure once my daughter starts her own family, it will be difficult for you, given that she’ll no longer have time to focus on anything else.”

This time, I raise my eyes to meet his. Thank God he looks nothing like Aston because it would be much harder to loathe him. “If Maddy chooses to have a family, I will be there to support her. I understand the true meaning of family, unlike some others.”

“My daughter knows what is expected. What she doesn’t need is a best friend encouraging her to go against what is best for our family.”

I cross my arms, annoyed by his sheer disrespect for Maddy’s wants. “Maddy deserves to make her own decisions, as does Aston. They’re no longer kids.”

“See, Everleigh, your lack of understanding is the reason why you’ll never work out with my son.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m no fool. Who do you think owns the building you slept in? And did you expect to attend the event without me finding out? When a woman is standing beside my son, everyone is watching, including me. After all, the next Mrs. Beaumont will be more than a small-town café owner.”

Mr. Beaumont cocks his head with an arrogant smirk while I stand here in shock. Just as he is about to open his mouth again, Maddy walks into the room groaning.

“I will never drink again,” she mutters.

With a shaky hand, I slide a tall cup of Americano toward her. Maddy despises coffee with no milk, but today, she needs the extra jolt of energy.

Mr. Beaumont leaves the room when his phone rings. The piercing sound is enough to make Maddy block her ears. Even after he’s gone, the tightness in my chest lingers from his callous words. Not only does he know about me and Aston, but I’m considered not good enough.