“Her name’s Candy Faye Hutchison,” Capri said, looking pained. “She’s got short, snappy reddish-brown hair with blonde highlights, tight jeans, and let’s just say she’s got a lot filling her top.”
Charlie Grace reached for Lila’s hand. “Capri said she walked into the bookstore asking for directions to the clinic, claiming to be Whit’s girlfriend.”
Lila felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. Her voice grew tight. “But…he never mentioned any girlfriend. Not once.”
Reva picked at her napkin. “I looked her up on social media. She’s from a well-to-do Texas family. There are lots of pictures of her and Whit together.”
Lila’s head spun. The bar’s warm, comforting atmosphere felt suddenly oppressive.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” Lila’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’ve been making baby steps toward. . .something with him. How could he not mention he had a girlfriend?”
Capri reached for Lila’s other hand. “We were just as shocked, Lila.”
Lila pulled her hands away, a mix of anger and hurt swelling inside her. “How could he do this? Why would he act interested if he had a girlfriend? He almost kissed me! If Camille hadn’t walked in—” She put a hand to her stomach. “How am I going to work with him? How will I act like nothing happened between us?” She was aware her voice was getting louder. She didn’t care.
Annie glanced over from the bar but didn’t approach. Her black Lab, Bartender, laying by her feet, perked up as if he too sensed the unease.
Lila took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “I knew I shouldn’t trust him. The first time I met him at the rodeo, I knew?—”
“Maybe there’s an explanation, Lila,” Reva suggested, leaning close, her voice gentle. “Maybe it’s not what it seems.”
Lila shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. He should’ve told me. I deserved the truth.”
Capri nodded, squeezing her hand. “You’re right, Lila. We’re here for you.”
Lila managed a weak smile, grateful for her friends despite the turmoil swirling inside her. “Thanks, guys. I just…I need some time to process this.”
Annie approached, this time with a tray of nachos. “On the house,” she said softly, setting the tray down. “And if you need anything, anything at all, just let me know.”
Lila nodded, her eyes welling up. “Thanks, Annie.”
As her friends dug into the nachos, Lila sat back, the reality of Whit’s betrayal sinking in.
Whit had a girlfriend?
She thought they’d been getting to know each other, and the whole time he’d been hiding a very big secret.
Nothing made sense anymore.
24
The following morning, Lila Bellamy stepped into the vet clinic, her mind still reeling from learning about Whit’s girlfriend.
Whit was already there, leaning over a chart at the reception desk. His tall frame and cowboy demeanor were typically a source of silent attraction, but today she could only feel a sharp pang of annoyance and regret. When he glanced up and offered a warm smile, she felt her temper flare.
“Morning, Lila,” he greeted, his Texas drawl as smooth as ever.
“Morning,” she replied curtly, avoiding his eyes as she walked past him and headed to the back room.
Lila could feel Whit’s confused gaze following her, but she refused to engage. She busied herself with organizing supplies, trying to focus on anything but the anger bubbling inside her.
A few minutes later, Whit’s voice came from the doorway. “Lila, is something wrong?”
She didn’t look up. “Everything’s fine. Just a lot on my mind.”
“Doesn’t seem like everything’s fine,” he pressed, his tone gentle but insistent. “You gave me the cold shoulder when you walked in.”
Lila slammed a drawer shut and turned her fiercest glare on him. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said, her voice tight.
