Tequila Rose (Tequila Rose #1) - Willow Winters Page 0,8
anyone. Renee insisted on helping me, and Robert, much to my surprise, did too. I didn’t realize how much I needed them to get through it all. I don’t know how I would have survived without them.
Renee’s brow raises at “Robert,” but she bites her tongue.
“You know I couldn’t have stayed here if he hadn’t helped me.” She knows that’s true. Not a single soul who was capable of helping offered me any assistance. Renee is my best friend, but she didn’t know a single thing about the charges and how the legalities would play out, let alone have the money to pay for everything up front. Robert did, using his local family connections, and he stood by me when no one else with his background would.
The town whispers that he still loves me. They think I broke up with him when I found out I got pregnant by someone I cheated on him with. Inwardly, I roll my eyes. They have no idea what the truth is, but I let them talk. I wouldn’t tarnish Robert’s name when he’s the only one who protected me and provided for me financially, emotionally … and in other ways too.
“He stood by you in one way and threw you under the bus in another.”
“Because he didn’t want to date me anymore?” My voice is filled with ridicule.
Renee remains silent. She knows what happened when most people here don’t.
“Thank you for not judging me,” I say softly, not wanting to fight. Especially not over Robert. If Renee is known for anything, it’s the fact that she can hold a grudge like no other.
“I would never judge you. Never, Mags. Never. You have to do what’s right for you,” she says, her tone adamant as we pull up to my townhouse. “Even if you are a complete disgrace to your Southern heritage,” she says, mocking Robert’s mother’s accent.
Everyone else I give a pass to because that’s just how this town is. That woman, though, is a bitch with a stick up her ass. I don’t even like to cuss, but she gets two of those words in her description in my thoughts.
The car slows to a stop in front of my door.
“I’ll pick you up at eight?” she suggests and I relent to the idea of having a few drinks to celebrate.
“Yeah. Eight works,” I answer and mindlessly go over the schedule I have for today. Opening my car door, I think out loud and say, “Miss Terbont will be here then. Although you know she’s usually ten minutes late.”
Renee grins wide and says, “That works for me. I can have a quick tea party with my little Bridgey.”
“Perfect,” I say and shut the door after adding, “See you tonight, love.”
Renee blows a kiss to me and I watch her drive off before finding the key to my front door.
I don’t need it, though, since Robert’s standing on my porch with a handsome smile on his face.
“Robert.” I greet him warmly and can’t help that I smile when I see the way he looks at me. Once you have love for someone, I think it’s always there. Either that or hate, and I could never hate him.
He’s always in dress pants and a tie. The one he’s wearing right now is my favorite. The deep navy blue fabric matches his eyes and makes them pop. With a clean-shaven face showing off his angular jaw and his hair cut short, but a little longer on top, he is the epitome of a Southern gentleman. A good ole boy with dirty blond hair and a twinkle in his eyes.
“Told you that you’d win,” he says with a slightly cocky undertone and then he reaches out for me. His strong arms open wide and I don’t hesitate to fall into him. He lets out a rough groan of victory as he picks me up off my feet.
I don’t mean to squeal but it’s my instinct.
I’m still laughing when he sets me down on my feet, my heels clicking and then I open the door.
Tossing the keys on the kitchen counter and flicking the lights on, I don’t bother asking him to come in. He owns the place, after all.
It’s modest but with updated appliances and has everything Bridget and I could need or want. My purse drops to the rustic front table that matches the rest of the place. The pops of teal and yellow throughout keep it happy and bright. It’s a home. Robert helped me