I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in my entire life. My cheeks burn, and the back of my neck feels like it’s on fire.

I can’t imagine Mr. White didn’t know exactly what he was doing bringing up the fact that I was on a date with Slade in front of Hunter. I wish he’d just leave. I’m not even really listening to him.

I just want to know what Hunter was going to say. I shouldn’t be hanging on to every word coming out of his gorgeous mouth, but I am. I’m ashamed that I seem to be falling for his charm again, but I can’t help it.

When I look at him, I see the boy I fell in love with and the way he says my name … it all comes back to me.

---

I giggled at him as he took my hand in his and led me through the back path of the woods to the creek. It was our favorite place to hide away and get lost in each other’s kisses and innocent touches.

We’d been together almost three months and it finally felt like… like it was real. Like it wasn’t going to end any minute now.

A wide smile made his handsome face even more attractive as he ducked under the thick branch of a tree.

I lowered my head and kept up, walking as fast as I could across the uneven dirt floor littered with sticks and random stones.

“Why are you in such a rush tonight?” I asked him with humor as he pulled on my hand.

He looked back at me, moving the branches out of my way.

“You’ll see, Vi.”

His face was so happy, and my heart seemed to melt.

It was the first time he called me Vi. The tone of his voice was so easy and full of warmth. It was as if in that moment, I was his. His Vi.

“Come on,” he said, tugging once again. I hadn’t realized I’d stopped.

He led me through the opening to a small clearing by the creek and I looked all around for whatever it was he was anxious to see.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled my back into his hard chest. I remember his hot breath on my neck sending goosebumps down my arms as he lowered his head and whispered into my ear.

“Look up.”

I did in an instant, letting my head rest against his broad shoulder.

Above us were so many bright white stars, lighting up the dark night. Shooting stars. My eyes widened, and my lips parted. It was so beautiful. The sky was littered with bright lights and streaks of wonder.

“It’s the aurora borealis,” he said quietly. I wrapped my arms on top of his, loving how his body warmed me in the chill of the night. “I thought you’d like it.”

I kept my eyes focused on the stars, but I was mesmerized by the sincerity in his voice and the comfort of his touch. “I love it.”

---

Mr. White clears his throat, snapping me out of the sweet memory and back to this bullshit reality. Time has changed everything.

I can’t look at him as the front door closes and Hunter walks out with his little niece in his arms.

I feel so guilty. I don’t even know what for! I’m not seeing either Hunter or Slade.

I turn around and start cleaning the marble cutting board. There’s a bit of icing on it left over from the cookies that needs to be scraped off before it hardens.

“Can I get you anything else while you’re in here?” I ask.

I don’t turn around. I’m focused on the mess I’ve made, and just trying to clean it up. I feel like I’ve had enough of Mr. White and enough of these games.

I need him though. I need that fucking loan. I have too much credit card debt and I’ve been denied so many times it’s not funny. He’s my last hope. I fucking hate it.

“You know it doesn’t look good on my family name for you to be talking to that young man,” Mr. White says, in a lowered voice that forces me to turn around and stare him down.

“I’m sorry?”

I give him a look that lets him know I’m pissed off. I may feel bad about how everything’s progressing, and the fact that I’m just not into Slade like I probably should be.

But I am not going to let him accuse me of anything. Or talk down about Hunter.

“Slade’s a good man, isn’t he?” he asks me.

I grab the small towel on the counter and wipe down my hands. My brows are pinched and no matter how hard I try, I can’t soften them. My breath is caught in my chest. I feel stuck.

“He is,” I answer simply.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with him. Even if there was, I’m not going to be rude.

“He deserves a good woman.” My skin prickles with insecurity as I stare back at Mr. White. “I understand you and Mr. Graves had a little thing going on a few years ago, but Slade assured me that it was just a mistake.”

My heart hammers in my chest. How the hell did I fall into this conversation? It’s been years since anyone has had the nerve to bring that up to me. Let alone a grown man.

“I fail to see what you’re getting at, Mr. White,” I say. I keep a straight face, daring him to accuse me of something, or anything or whatever the hell he’s getting at. My hands feel numb and I’m sick to my stomach, but I refuse to back down.

“I just want to make sure we’re on the same page, Miss Shaw.”

“And what page is that?” I ask in an even voice that makes me feel proud.

Inside I’m breaking down, but at least I look calm and strong on the surface.

“That the loan you need isn’t supported by the money the business is bringing in.”

My lips turn down instantly into a pathetic frown and my heart stops beating. Tears threaten to prick my eyes, but I hold them back.

Fuck him. I won’t let him see me cry.

He looks down and picks at his fingernail before looking back at me.

“Of course, I always make an exception for the people my son is fond of.”

I feel numb. I don’t know how to respond.

“I’m sure we’ll work something out,” he says, smiling that creepy smile. “Anyway…”

He takes the tray of croissants, and leaves the store. The door chimes on his way out.

Although I’m looking at the counter, trying to hold back everything threatening to come up, I swear I see his eyes roaming my body.

I’ve never felt so violated in my life. I don’t know what to do or say. I feel weak and helpless, but more than that, I’m angry.

I can’t stand the men in this damn town. They can all go screw themselves.