You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,46

says, ‘I’m going to buy a house tomorrow because I got a dog’.” Jasmine chuckled. “I told her, you can’t get a house in one day. Hale needed a yard for her dog so she found a house.”

“It worked out. That house was in a good neighborhood and the backyard had plenty of shade.” Plus, it showed her that she had no ties to Florida. During those years, she hadn’t allowed herself to love anyone or anything. Miller showed her that she could love and not have it end in ruin.

“So, in Tampa, did you date a lot, have a lot of friends? You don’t talk about that very much.” Ashley sipped her drink.

“I dated. I had a couple of relationships, but with all of the traveling it was hard.” Hale looked at the full glass of tequila in front of her and reached for the bottle of water. “I made the type of friends that I could pick up when I was home and that I wouldn’t miss that much when I was away.” She wasn’t sure that she was loveable. She’d worked through the damage from the years her mom had berated her, when her dad hadn’t defended her and the fear that she wasn’t worthy of a good man’s love. She had spent thousands on therapists but she still felt that small bit of doubt deep in her soul.

“You had hook-ups. I think you had a lot of sex.” Jasmine watched her friend.

“When I first moved to Tampa, I worked fourteen hours a day, so when I could, I played hard too. Sex was a way to let off steam and I liked it.” Hale wasn’t embarrassed. It had been practical. A stress reliever.

“Sex is good.” Ashley chuckled.

“Over the years, I experimented, I went to clubs, had hook-ups. I was single, successful, and could do as I pleased.” Hale sank into the pillow at her side; it felt good to be open with people that she trusted. It was so freeing to let the walls come down for one night.

“No serious loves?” Ashley took another sip.

“It was hard because of the hours I put in and I didn’t date within my company. There was one guy, Neil. I thought that we might work out, but he took a transfer to Phoenix and that was that.” Hale had tried to love the man, but a part of her had still belonged to Finn.

“I liked Neil, he seemed like a good guy, but I don’t think it would have lasted.” Jasmine swirled the tequila in her glass. “I met him twice, but never saw that deep bond that a couple needs.”

“He got married about five years ago and has two or three kids. We exchange Christmas cards.” Hale took a sip of tequila.

“You’ll meet another. Once you’re settled and ready, that’s what I think.” Ashley finished her shot.

“She’ll have to want it. I do know one thing. Major is not that guy.” Jasmine gave her opinion.

“I’m not looking for ‘The Great Love’.” Hale took another swig of water.

“I just want you to be happy now that you’re home.” Jasmine licked her lips trying to catch a stray drop.

“I’m working on that.”

Chapter Eight

September

“Jasmine, it looks like the festival is a huge success. I don’t remember it ever being this crowded.” Major greeted Jasmine and Izzy as they gathered in front Jerry’s Hardware and More.

Jasmine looked tired but happy. “I think the weather is going to stay cool, so that brings more people out. Izzy checked the radar and no rain in sight. It should be sixty-three degrees for the parade start.”

“Of course it won’t rain, this is a Jasmine Benton event.” Hale teased as she stepped forward to give her friend a hug. “Oh my God, you look terrific.”

The Bentons had invited Hale to sit with them at tonight’s parade and at the last minute, she had relented and agreed that Major could join them. It was a telling weakness but she didn’t want to be the third wheel. They walked up one side of Main Street, browsing the artisans’ wares. Major watched Hale shop with an intensity that was starting to make her and everyone else uncomfortable. If she touched an item, he would immediately offer to buy it for her. He was trying too hard and she wondered why? Was it her money that kept him coming back when he wasn’t romantically interested in her?

Soon she could smell the grilled meat coming from the Cattlemen’s Tent. “Yum, that