His words sliced deep without laying a single finger on me.

I meant nothing to him.

Danny's eyes met mine, widening with sadness. Adam slowly turned, the flower still in his hand.

My tongue felt thick, sluggish as I spewed out some useless platitude to Danny. Forcing my feet to move, I turned and hurried away, but could I sense his eyes on me until I rounded the corner. Hand on my quaking chest. My stomach was hollow and my throat tight.

I meant nothing to him.

Clenching my eyes tightly shut, I cursed my stupidity. What was I honestly thinking? That a man like Adam Matthews, a doctor no less, would want someone like me? Riley Jo Lockwood. The fat one. The dumb one.

I'd never be good enough; I wasn't good enough.

Crazily, I'd let myself get carried away with a senseless fantasy like the ones in the hundreds of books I'd devoured over the years.

Yeah, I was stupid alright.

Emma, his wife, had been perfect. Beautiful. Elegant and super smart. I twisted my face in frustration.

Well, I'd learned my lesson. I was done. Swotting a fly away, I found my bike where'd I'd left it propped up against the side of the house.

Snatching the handlebars, I wheeled it from his garden, holding back the threatening tide of tears. Each step was heavy, as if I was dragging my heart behind me. I looked back over my shoulder and whispered to myself, "bye doctor." Mounting my bike, I waited a few more seconds in hope he might come around the corner and beg me to stay. Tell me I'd heard him wrong.

He didn't. Pedalling as fast as I could I didn't try to stop my tears.

Arriving back at my Nana's, I put my bike away and stood on her front porch. Wiping my tear-stained cheeks, I quietly opened the door to peep inside. It was safer coming through the front to avoid seeing my Nana.

Closing the door, holding my breath. I heard laughter from the kitchen. She was busy with Howard.

I tiptoed to the foot of the stairs, taking my first step.

"Is that you Riley Jo?" she called out.

Shit!

"Yeah, it's me Nana. I'm just gonna freshen up. Be down soon." She couldn't see the state I was in.

Picking up my steps, I was half-way up.

"Riley Jo Lockwood!"

I froze mid-step. Double Shit!

"What do you think you're doing tryin' to sneak past your old Nana?"

Twisting my head, but not enough for her to see, I spoke over my shoulder. "Nana, I'm just gonna wash up and get changed out of this dress." I took another step.

"Child, what you hidin'?"

"Me? Nuthin Nana." My lip trembled.

"Then turn around and look at me."

My stomach dropped. There was no escaping my Nana's scrutiny. I slowly turned. And I was right, there she stood with her lips pinched, head cocked and her hands sat firmly on her hips.

Forcing a smile, I hoped the distance between us meant she wouldn't notice my puffy eyes.

Busted.

I was out of luck as her hands dropped and her eyes softened. "What happened, Riley Jo?"

There was no avoiding it now. I took my time walking down each step. When I reached the bottom, she wrapped her arms around me, and sure enough, big ugly tears soaked my cheeks.

"Riley, what's happened? Who's upset you?"

I sucked in a sob. "I'm so stupid Nana."

Her hand rubbed circles on my back as she held me. "Now I know I just heard you wrong, because my Riley Jo is not stupid." She pulled back and swiped the hair from my eyes. "My Riley might be a little crazy sometimes." She lifted my chin. "And a little outspoken too." Her hands moved to cup my cheeks. "But stupid she is not." Nana sighed. "Now run upstairs, clean your face and come down and talk to me."

I didn't need telling twice. Having washed up and changed, I spied one of my books on the bedside table. I had to stop living in a fantasy world. Picking it up, I turned and dropped it into the wastebasket and headed downstairs.

Howard gone. My Nana brewed us some tea. "Come, sit Riley." She patted the seat. "Tell me everything."

Ten minutes later, my shoulders sagged. "You must think I'm really dumb, Nana, to give my heart away so easily."

Her brow furrowed. "Never be afraid of loving someone Riley Jo, even if it's not meant to be." She cupped my cheek with her warm hand. "But honestly, I don't believe a word he said."

She didn't? They why would he say it? "He sounded pretty convincing to me Nana."

"Riley, you know I loved your granddaddy even though he was as stubborn as a mule and said the dumbest things sometimes."

I couldn't help but grin. He was stubborn.

"It's a simple well-known fact. Men say dumb things." She sighed. "I imagine he feels a lot of guilt for moving on from losing his wife."

Eh? What was she saying? "But, Nana—" she cut me off.

"Hush, you don't get to be my age without knowing the workings of a man's mind."

I kept my mouth shut.

"I'm not saying what he said is right and if he was sitting there," she pointed toward an empty chair. "Then he would get a piece of my mind for upsetting you." She pushed toward me a plate of her finest butter biscuits. "Eat!"

I honestly didn't feel like eatin' and the way my stomach was churning, it agreed. But I picked one up and nibbled the edges to keep her happy.

"There you go, nothing my biscuits can't fix."

If only that were true.

Nana continued with her words of wisdom. "Sometimes we have to ignore the rubbish that comes out of mouths and instead go by their actions."

I nodded. "And this doctor, Adam, he treated you right, yes?"

He had. Was she right?

I tried to think back on every time we'd been together. He made me feel so good about myself and special. Every look, every word I would have sworn was genuine. And the way he had my heart pounding and stomach fluttering, surely it couldn't have meant so little to him? "He did Nana, real good."

"See child, sometimes we need to take a step back and listen to what's in here." she pressed her hand over my heart.

But still I had to face facts. "Let's say you're right, Nana. I'm still leaving Lockwood." I shifted in my chair. "And I think I also need to accept that Maddy is going to marry that snake and if I'm honest, I don't want to be in a fifty-mile radius when that happens, Nana."

Her mouth down-turned. "As much as it kills me, I think you might be right Riley Jo." She picked up her tea and took a sip. "I wish you weren't leaving again."

I hated to upset my Nana, but it was time to pack up and head home. "I'll come back to visit, promise."

She squeezed my hand. "Make sure you do."

Taking another nibble of my biscuit, my phone rang out. I dipped inside my back pocket of my denim shorts. It was Connor.

"Hey Princess," he sounded happy, "What you doin' tonight?" he asked.

"Nothin' why you askin'?"

"Because—I'm celebrating!"

"And what are we celebrating?"

"I got myself a promotion and named partner is in the bag." I smiled at his news. "So tonight me, you and my boy are gonna paint the town red."

I was so happy for him. And although I wasn't in the mood for going out. It was my last night in Lockwood and I wanted to spend it with him and Max. "What did you have in mind?"

"Max can't get cover till ten, so if we hang out with him at the bar and then when he's done we can head out someplace else."

He sounded so excited I would not mention what had happened with Adam. "Sure, how about I meet you there?"

"Yee-haw! Sounds good. I gotta shoot off. I'm due in court. I'll message you."

I met Connor at the bar at seven. We ate and talked about his promotion and he wrangled my woes out of me. He was as ever sympathetic and offered to kick Adam's behind, but I was trying to keep hold of my Nana's words and just accept it had been nice whilst it lasted.

And tonight was about Connor and I was happy for my best friend. I could indulge my own self-pity when I got back home to New York.

After eating, we shot some pool.

"Are you sure there's nuthin I can do to make you stay, Princess?" he puckered up his lips, emphasising a perfect pout to go with his question. "Lockwood ain't the same with you not in it."

I stood with one hand on my hip and the stick in the other. "I think I've just about had as much as I can take."

"I'm sorry it didn't work out with the doctor," He looked at the table weighing up his next shot. "Are you sure you don't want me to go round and kick his ass?"

"Nah, I'm good, honestly. I'm over it." The words were sour on my tongue.

Connor cocked his head, studying me. "I can handle you leaving Riley Jo, but don't be lying to me!"

"Fine, you want to hear how my heart is broken?"

Connor missed his shot.

"And, it' my own damn fault. Adam never made any promises and I let myself fall for someone who wasn't ready to let me into their heart." It was times like this I wished there was some magical sewing kit to mend broken hearts.

He looked at me thoughtfully. "If you stay, you know there's a chance he might change his mind?"

I knew he was only trying to make me feel better. "I heading home, I need some distance between me and my crazy family."

He nodded, understanding that.

Connor missed another shot and dropped his stick onto the table. "This is hopeless. There is something wrong with this stick!"

I grinned. I was good at pool - Connor? Not so much. I embellished a sigh. "Fine, you had me at hopeless. C'mon, let me help your whiny ass."

"I think you mean cute ass." He smirked.

"Fine! Cute, whiney ass." I poked my tongue out at him.

Moving next to him, I picked up his stick and held it out for him. I positioned his hands properly and settled my right arm against his. "Bend over."

"Two of my favourite words, Princess."

Trying to keep a straight face, my lips curled up, unable to help it. Connor smiled too. "See who's gonna make you smile like that when you head back to the big, lonely city."

I deflated like a balloon. No one. I hardly ever socialised. But I had my own little apartment and good neighbours and Mac and his wife often invited me over. I would be fine.

Resting my chest against his back, I pressed my cheek along his bicep, helping him to line up the cue. "It's just about angle and trajectory and that's about it."

"Damn, you're hot Princess, when you talk technical and take charge." He kissed my cheek. "Almost got me excited."

This time I laughed. "Well, quit talking like that. I've had my heart broken enough for one week." I pulled back and helped him take his shot.

"Yee-haw!" The balls scattered and three slid into pockets.

I shifted back. "See, all in the angle."

"Princess, I might just beat you this time." He grinned.

"Connor, I could still beat you with one arm tied behind my back and blindfolded."

Connor laughed as he positioned himself without my help for another shot.

Stepping back, from nowhere, a huge frame collided with mine, flooding my dress with the beer that had been in their giant hand. I gasped and jumped back. It soaked through in seconds and the smell made me feel dizzy and a little sick.

"Are you blind?" My eyes crept up his enormous frame. Urgh! Clay Henderson, Cooper's best friend from high school.

He didn't hide his irritation or the fact his eyes glued themselves to my chest, as unfortunately the beer forced my dress to cling to every curve and my nipples had stiffened the second the cool liquid touched down.

"I think you owe me another drink!" he said brusquely. Slamming his half empty beer stein on the pool table, dribbles running over his clenched fist.

Connor pushed between us and I could see the fury on his face as he looked from me to Clay. "Is that all you got to say?"

"What am I supposed to say when she walked into me?"

"You walked into her. Dumbass!" Connor got right up in his face. There'd never been any love lost between these two. "Apologise. Now!"

"Fuck you, queer boy," he said and I sucked in a breath.

Connor took a step forward, now nose to nose with Clay. "Say that again."

Oh shit. Clay was an asshole, but his dad was the town sheriff, and I didn't want Connor to end up before a judge. It wouldn't look good for his promotion.

I grabbed Connor's arm and dragged him back. "Just leave it Connor, he's not worth it."

The people stood close by stopped their conversations as other people turned to stare. "Honestly, I'll clean myself up and then we can continue our game." I gave Clay a pointed stare.

"Yeah, queer boy. It won't look good, you being a hot-shot lawyer locked up for the night."

I could feel Connor vibrate with anger, his fists clenching by his side, itching to rearrange Clay's face.

"Do we have a problem here?"

Relief flooded through me as Max stalked toward us. Clay's eyes shifted to Max's. "No problem, other than she owes me a beer."

"I owe you nothing. You walked into me!"

"Not the way I see it." An arrogant grin sat on his dumb face.

Asshole! "Well, I would love to see it from your point of view Clay, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass."

He eyed me carefully, too dumb to realise I just insulted him, but then he let his head fall back and laughed. He picked up his half empty beer and pushed past Connor. "Later queer boy!"

I rubbed up and down Connor's arm to calm him.

"You two okay?" asked Max as he slipped a hand around Connor's neck. "You good?" he asked Connor in a low voice.

"We're good Max."

"Fucking asshole," said Connor, mirroring my thoughts as Max nodded before stepping back.

"He's not worth it." I turned to see Clay stood with a group of his idiot friends, but thankfully Cooper wasn't with them.

"I'm gonna head to the restroom and get myself cleaned up." I gave Connor a kiss on his cheek "Thanks for standing up for me,"

His face softened. "Anytime, Princess."

"This may take a while. You go sit with Max at the bar." I rose to my tiptoes and kissed Max. "And get me a lemonade."

Running hot water, I cleaned myself up as best I could. I didn't want to head home yet, not as this was my last night with Conner and Max. Drying myself as best I could, my stomach churned. I decided a little fresh air might do me good before I re-joined the boys.

What was going with my guts?

I headed out of the emergency exit into the warm, sticky night. At least my dress would be dry in no time, although the smell might never go away.

I walked a little way from the bar, but I could still hear music as I looked up at the stars on this clear night. "When you gonna throw some good luck my way?" I asked the big man upstairs. It didn't take for my mind to flip back to Adam, wondering what he was doing.

Pulling my phone from my small clutch, I had no messages. My heart squeezed in my chest.

"Looksee who we have here."

Urgh. This was all I needed—another run in with Clay. I turned to be blinded by a bright light as I shielded my eyes. "I'm not in the mood for your games!" I blinked repeatedly. "Did you not hear me? Turn off—"

Unable to finish, I was lifted from the ground and thrown over his shoulder, and I dropped my clutch. I struggled as he slapped my ass. I tried to lift my head but someone smothered me in a dark, thick material. It covered my face completely.

Whatever was wrapped around my head had a strong smell of cologne. I had to bite back my nausea as my guts rolled.

"Let. Me. Go!" I started yelling, but the material was too thick and my words came out muffled. "This is not funny!"

"There!" said a gruff voice, and I stopped struggling. "No one will see us over there ."

I froze as dread seeped into my bones. This wasn't a prank.

Taking a deep breath, I told myself it was going to be okay. Instead, my stomach rolled from the smell of the face covering—or whatever it was.

It hit me like a bullet to the chest—Oh. My. God. I recognised the smell. It was the same cologne that Cooper Stanton smothered himself in.

With a yelp, I was hauled from Clay's shoulder and almost stumbled as he put me down. Head still wrapped, I shivered despite the heat of the night pressing down on me.

I tried to stay calm. Panicking wouldn't help. But it was hard as ice carried through my veins. My hands flew up to my head to get the thing off my face.

"Don't let her see." That was Cooper's voice.

"Don't you dare come near me; I'm warning you." I took a step back, then another.

They both laughed. Looking down, I saw a gap in the material and black boots approach.

But then they were gone as hands gripped my shoulders and dragged me backwards. I stumbled, but they quickly righted me.

"Connor and Max will look for me."

"Let them come. Scream all you like. No one will hear you," said Clay.

Stay calm. Stay calm. Connor and Max wouldn't be looking for me yet. I had to stall for time. Palming my fist, I slammed an elbow into his ribs and he grunted. "Get off me, you yellow bellied—"

Frantically I squirmed, trying to break free from his grip as cold hands wrapped around my waist and they lifted me off the ground. I thrashed out.

"Fight me—will you?"

Hands searching aimlessly. I reached behind me to claw at something, anything.

I felt warm skin. A cheek maybe? I dug my nails in deep.

Yes! He squealed like a pig and I felt a whoosh of adrenalin. There was no way I would go down without a fight.

"Cooper Stanton. I know that's you."

Clay's grip slackened, and I stumbled free to only feel a different pair of hands on me. Much larger ones. I shook my head from side to side. I had to get this thing off my head.

Twisting and squirming. My world suddenly was out of whack when they spun me around and slammed against something hard. A tree?

My head snapped back and a sharp pain burst through my shoulder, tearing the breath from my body. "No, no...no!" My shrill screams were again muffled.

"Stupid bitch." That was Cooper's voice.

"Bitch scratched me." That was Clay's voice.

My shoulder was jerked and although I couldn't see, I kicked out. I yelped as they yanked me from the tree, only to be slammed again—only harder.

Winded, I tried to catch my breath. But a hand came and snatched a handful of hair, dragging me forward as a knee barrelled into my stomach.

I dropped to the ground. The pain was something I'd never felt before. Coughing and spluttering, I felt something warm between my thighs.

Light shone through the material. I could make out two outlines. I held out my hand to stop them from coming near me.

"Fuck, she's bleeding, Cooper."

"No fucking names, asshole."