Small Town Secret: Mayfield Springs Book 1 Read Free Page B

to see him," said Cassie narrowing her eyes skeptically. "Don't tell me that you haven't got over the breakup yet. It was four years ago, Amy. You should put it behind you. And you know he's not married to Stacey anymore. He's single you know," she smirked.
    "Of course, I'm over it," I lied. "But just because Chris is single, it doesn't mean that I'd be interested or that he'd be interested in me. Once bitten, twice shy," I said. "I'm not going to get burnt a second time."  
    "Oh Amy," replied Cassie. "He's grown up since then too. You should give him a second chance."
    Cassie raised two fingers to a passing waiter, and he returned promptly with more drinks. This time, however, the sparkling water was replaced with a mimosa.  
    "I shouldn't drink Cass; I'm driving."
    "So? Take a cab," she replied, leaving no room for doubt that she wanted a drinking buddy.
    I sighed. Cassie's flippant attitude was beginning to annoy me but how could she possibly help it. She lived the life of an NYC 'It' girl, getting her way all the time. With her high flying job and opulent lifestyle, she probably found me quite dull. I doubt she imagined that I'd love to join her in a drinking session but that I couldn't afford the mimosas... or the cab.
    As if she was reading my mind, Cassie said, "My treat Amy, I'll pay ok?"
    I guess if she was paying I could enjoy a drink or two. Sipping my Mimosa, I thought back to what Cassie had said about Chris.
    "Hang on Cassie," I said without thinking through what I was asking. "Did you say Chris was single? How can that be? He's never photographed without a beautiful blonde by his side."
    Cassie hit me playfully on the arm.
    "You do still have a thing for him. I knew it," she said laughing. "If you didn't, you wouldn't notice who he's with, or even care what he's doing."   She hesitated for a second before looking me in the eye. "Yes, he's single. He hasn't found anyone since you."
    I knew she was baiting me, to see how I would react, so I changed the subject.
    "I'm only in love with one person Cassie, and that's my princess Bella who is right this moment waiting at home for me," I said, glancing at my watch to signal that I was worried about the time and would have to go shortly. "In fact, I should probably get home to her soon."
    "Oh for God's sake, relax a little. Bella won't even notice."
    Thinking of Bella made me wonder what I was going to tell Chris when he came to the wedding. And Cassie for that matter. Cassie had always known about Bella, but she thought Bella's father was someone I'd met in my first weeks of Art School. Sooner or later I was going to have to tell both of them.
    My thoughts were broken by the jangling of Cartier bracelets and a very well-manicured hand waving in my face.
    "Hello?" Cassie looked insulted. "I've been talking for ages, and you've just been all weird and staring into space."
    "Sorry," I mumbled. "I've just got a lot on my mind. "
    "I can see that. You wanna talk about it?"
    "No, I'm ok," I said, my shoulders sagging, weighed down by my guilty secret.  
    Cassie didn't seem to notice. "So, as I was saying. Daniel. Oh, my god, he's so hot. You'll just love him. It's not long before he'll be here for his final night of freedom."
    "He's having his buck's night in Mayfield Springs?" I frowned at the thought.  
    "Yeah! Haha!" Cassie burst out laughing and slapped the table. "I talked him into it. I thought it'd be funny. He's such a city slicker, can you imagine?" She seemed amused at the prospect of Daniel out for a night on the town.  
    I watched as the girls at the table beside us vacated their table. One of them had left behind a glossy magazine, one that I could never afford to buy. As it was directly in my line of vision, I couldn't help but see who was on the front cover. Chris stared back at me - the headline reading, ' Hottest Man on Earth? Definitely' .  
    It would seem there was no end to being reminded of him and a knot formed in my stomach as I thought of the