Not Over You (Holland Springs) Read Free Page B

don’t let her say at sunset. Please, please, please.
    “ He doesn’t have a favorite time of day, not that I’ve ever heard. He just kisses me whenever.”
    Summer exhaled, and then glanced at her customer. It wasn’t Gabriel. She was silly to think it was, or even to think of him at all.
    The redhead blushed and tipped up her chin. Summer felt a bit sorry for her, because she got the impression the woman hated that her boyfriend didn’t have a favorite time of day to kiss her.
    Despite what people thought about her, including her sisters, she couldn’t stand to see innocent people in pain or feeling bad about themselves. She knew what it was like.
    “ I think that’s perfect, really,” Summer said, trying to put her at ease. “His favorite time of day is all day. You’re so lucky to have a man like that...Um, I didn’t catch your name.”
    “ I’m Elise Dumas, the not-so-new head librarian.” Elise stuck out her hand, and Summer shook it, and then let go.
    “ Summer Holland, by the way. I’ve just moved back to Holland Springs.”
    “ I know who you are, and I want you to stay away from Gabriel,” Elise said firmly.
    This time, Summer’s entire body froze. “What?” she managed to croak. Maybe there was another Gabriel in Holland Springs, and Elise didn’t mean the Gabriel Summer knew at all.
    “ Gabriel Edwards and I are dating. Seriously dating. I would appreciate it if you would stay away from him. Or if you do need his help, go ahead and get it, then leave.”
    Red-hot fury boiled inside of Summer, melting all the frozen parts of her. She stepped away from the display and toward the woman beside her. “I didn’t come here for his help.”
    “ Did you come here for him?”
    Yes. “No.” Never , she swore to herself, ignoring the woman inside of her who missed the man who always put her first. Summer barely held on to her temper, although she wasn’t mad at Elise. She was mad at herself, for having such conflicting thoughts over him. Just like always.
    “ I know I’m not the first woman he ever loved, but I want to be the last one, so I’m begging you, please stay away.” Elise let out a shaky breath. “He’d choose you over me, I know this. So, I’m asking you, woman to woman, to respect our relationship, and stay the hell away.”
    Before Summer could say another word, Elise fled the store, leaving Summer standing there. So that was why Gabriel hadn’t been by. He was in love with someone else.
    Claws of jealousy ripped at her heart.
    Trudging to the front of the store, she let the pain overtake her. How could he do this to her? How could he have let her found out like this? Usually, Gabriel would have been here on the first day she made an appearance, but after three days and counting, she had come to the conclusion he wasn’t coming.
    Now she knew he wasn’t coming—not that it mattered.
    He didn’t matter , she reminded herself. She ignored the pain in her heart. The only thing that mattered was family, and he wasn’t family. He would never be her family.
    But Gabriel used to be your family , a little voice in her head reminded her. She told that voice to shut the hell up.
    After flipping the ‘open’ sign to ‘closed’ in the window, she moved to the door and slumped against it, rubbing her temples. She needed to take the rest of the week off, and think long and hard about what had prompted her to come back to Holland Springs in the first place.
    A knock almost made her jump out of her skin. “I’m closed.”
    The knock came more vigorously this time, and Summer’s lip curled. She managed to unlock and yank open the door at the same time, ready to curse the person behind it.
    “ What the he—?” The curse died on her lips.
    Jemma Leigh stood there, smile on her face. “Ready for that muffin?”
    Dumbstruck, Summer stared.
    “ You thought I forgot, didn’t you?” Jemma Leigh asked, but she wasn’t looking for an answer. “I have been looking forward to this