Rushed (Adventures in Love) Read online

  OTHER BOOKS BY AURORA ROSE REYNOLDS

  The Until Series

  Until November

  Until Trevor

  Until Lilly

  Until Nico

  Second Chance Holiday

  Until Her Series

  Until July

  Until June

  Until Ashlyn

  Until Harmony

  Until December

  Until April (coming soon)

  Until Him Series

  Until Jax

  Until Sage

  Until Cobi

  Until Talon

  Shooting Stars Series

  Fighting to Breathe

  Wide-Open Spaces

  One Last Wish

  Underground Kings Series

  Assumption

  Obligation

  Distraction

  Infatuation

  Ruby Falls Series

  Falling Fast

  One More Time

  Fluke My Life Series

  Running into Love

  Stumbling into Love

  Tossed into Love

  Drawn into Love

  How to Catch an Alpha Series

  Catching Him

  Baiting Him

  Hooking Him

  Stand-Alone Novels

  Love at the Bluebird

  The Wrong/Right Man

  Alpha Law (written as C. A. Rose)

  Justified (written as C. A. Rose)

  Liability (written as C. A. Rose)

  Finders Keepers (written as C. A. Rose)

  To Have to Hold to Keep Series

  Trapping Her

  Taking Her (coming soon)

  Stalking Her (coming soon)

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2021 by Aurora Rose Reynolds

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Montlake, Seattle

  www.apub.com

  Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

  ISBN-13: 9781542034548

  ISBN-10: 154203454X

  Cover design by Hang Le

  Cover photography by Regina Wamba of MaeIDesign.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1 CYBIL

  Chapter 2 CYBIL

  Chapter 3 CYBIL

  Chapter 4 TANNER

  Chapter 5 CYBIL

  Chapter 6 CYBIL

  Chapter 7 TANNER

  Chapter 8 CYBIL

  Chapter 9 CYBIL

  Chapter 10 TANNER

  Chapter 11 CYBIL

  Chapter 12 CYBIL

  Chapter 13 TANNER

  Chapter 14 CYBIL

  Chapter 15 CYBIL

  Chapter 16 CYBIL

  Chapter 17 TANNER

  Chapter 18 CYBIL

  Chapter 19 TANNER

  Chapter 20 CYBIL

  Chapter 21 CYBIL

  Chapter 22 TANNER

  Chapter 23 CYBIL

  Chapter 24 CYBIL

  Chapter 25 TANNER

  Epilogue CYBIL

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  CYBIL

  I enter Stone’s bar and head toward the back, scanning the space for Jade and trying to ignore the stares and whispers even as my cheeks warm with humiliation. When I see her wave from across the room, the tension in my shoulders loosens slightly, and I quicken my steps.

  “Are you okay?” she asks carefully as I slide into the booth, take off my wide-brimmed floppy hat, and place it on the seat next to my suede bag.

  “This is the first time I’ve been here since . . .” My words trail off, and understanding fills her eyes before she looks around. When her brows drag together and her full lips form a frown, I know everyone is now watching us.

  “What the hell is wrong with people?” she asks a little too loudly, making me cringe.

  “It’s fine. It’s just going to take some time before I’m old news,” I whisper, grabbing her hand to gain her attention.

  “It’s ridiculous that your broken engagement is the only thing people have to talk about,” she grumbles, and I press my lips together. She’s not wrong, but then again, I’ve lived in this town my entire life. When my mom passed away, the people here looked out for me. They watched me grow up, knew when I fell in love, cheered me on when I got engaged to my high school sweetheart, and were planning on attending my wedding in just a couple of months.

  Maybe not all of them, but a lot of them.

  “Once they see I’m okay, things will go back to normal,” I assure her and maybe myself.

  “It would be easier for everyone to see that you’re okay if you weren’t hiding away in your shop all the damn time.”

  “I’m not hiding; I’m working,” I say with a sigh.

  Okay, I’ve also been hiding, but who can blame me for needing some time? One minute I was laying out seating arrangements for my wedding dinner, and the next, Galvin, my now-ex-fiancé, was telling me that he didn’t want to get married anymore. Worse, he didn’t even have a reason. The only thing he kept saying was, “It’s not you; it’s me.” I still don’t know what the hell that even means.

  I shake away those thoughts and the reminder of him. “With my trip to Montana tomorrow, I needed to get all my orders ready and shipped out.”

  “A trip you didn’t even want.” She shakes her head. “I still think you should tell Galvin that he needs to pay you back, at least for his half.”

  “It was a gift.” I let out a breath and fiddle with my napkin, wondering if he knew he wanted to end things four months ago, when he started talking about us going on a couples retreat to strengthen our relationship. I thought we were solid but figured two weeks in Montana with just the two of us wouldn’t hurt, so I booked us a long trip with Live Life Adventures. I even added a few extra days to the end to just relax and take in some of the sights between Oregon and Montana.

  “It’s also ridiculous that you can’t get a refund, given that you’re no longer actually going on a couples retreat.”

  “It’s nonrefundable. I knew that when I signed the contracts.”

  “Whatever.” She rolls her eyes.

  “It will be fine, and honestly, I’m looking forward to the time away.”

  “Camping and hiking?” She raises a brow.

  “Okay, so neither of those things are exactly my idea of a good time, but who knows—maybe I’ll end up loving them. And really, I just need to get out of town for a while. I want to go somewhere people don’t know my sob story.”

  “I wish I didn’t have to work so I could go with you.”

  “I know, but I get that you can’t just close down your store for two weeks,” I tell her as I tip my head back to look at Connie, the owner of Stone’s, when she stops at the edge of our table.

  “Jade,” she says; then her eyes come to me and fill with pity as her voice drops to just above a whisper. “Cybil, you doing okay, honey?”

  “I’m good, Connie. Thank you.” I smile, which makes her look even more concerned. Wanting the awkwardness to be over, I pick up the menu and scan it quickly. “I think I’ll have the french onion soup and a Diet Coke.”

  “I’ll have the same and two lemon drops, please.”

  “Sure.” She looks like she wants to say more but thinks better of it. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” She walks off, jotting down our ord
er on her notepad.

  “Two lemon drops?” I raise a brow at my best friend.

  “What? We deserve a fucking drink.” She rolls her eyes, then adds, “Or at least you deserve a drink.”

  “Right.” I shake my head. “I’m only having one drink. Tomorrow I have a fourteen-hour drive, and I don’t want to be hungover.”

  “Mom and Dad are flipping out that you’re driving alone.”

  “Believe me, they have both shared that they are not happy with me.” I roll my eyes. Maisie and Bernard, Jade’s parents, were two of my mom’s closest friends when she was alive. When she was diagnosed with cancer, they were there every step of the way. Then, when she passed, they took me in and loved me like their own. I love them to the bottom of my soul, but they really frustrate me when they treat me like a kid instead of a twenty-six-year-old woman.

  “I’m also worried about it.”

  “I’ll be fine.” I give her a reassuring smile. “I promise I’ll be safe, and I already loaded up on car snacks and drinks, so I won’t have to stop too often.”

  “Just promise me that you won’t stop at sketchy rest stops when you have to use the restroom.”

  “Promise,” I agree easily, then lean back when our drinks arrive.

  When she picks up her lemon drop and holds it up, I do the same. “To new starts.”

  “To new starts.” I clink my glass with hers, then shoot back the sweet-and-sour liquid that warms my stomach and relaxes me for the rest of dinner. When we finish eating and pay our tab, we head outside to the parking lot, stopping at my car since it’s closer.

  “I’m going to miss you.” She pulls me in for a hug, and I hold her tightly, unsure where I would be without her support these last few weeks. Really these last few years.

  “I’ll be back in two weeks.”

  Keeping hold of my arms, she leans back and locks her eyes with mine. “I can’t wait to hear every detail when you get home, but promise you’ll call.”

  “I’ll call you every chance I get.” My throat gets tight as I fight back tears. “I love you.”

  She pulls me in for another hug. “I love you too. Try to have fun.”

  “I’ll try,” I agree as she lets me go, wiping her eyes as she steps away.

  “Just don’t do anything wild like fall in love with one of those Montana guys.”

  Laughing, I shake my head. “I guarantee you that is not going to happen. No more men for me.”

  Her face softens, and her head tips to the side. “Galvin isn’t who you were meant to be with, Cybil, and I think deep down you know that, given some of the things that happened in your relationship,” she says, and my stomach twists because I know she’s right. “It just sucks, because you’ve always thought of him when you’ve imagined your future, but he’s not who you’re supposed to be with. You’ll find your guy when you least expect it.”

  I give her the nod I know she’s waiting for, and she shakes her head before spinning on her heel and heading for her car, shouting over her shoulder, “You’ll see! Your Prince Charming is out there waiting for you.”

  Laughing, I get into my Bronco and start the engine. I’m not sure about Prince Charming, but I do know I have two weeks ahead of me that are going to push me out of my comfort zone, and that might be just what I need right now.

  Chapter 2

  CYBIL

  Covering my mouth as I yawn, I glance down at my GPS and see I’m only about five minutes from the hotel I booked myself for the night. I drive through a town that looks a lot like the one I grew up in, with cute little shops lining the street, and scan the road on each side. I’m looking for somewhere to stop and get something in my stomach before I go find my bed for the evening.

  I pass by a couple of fast-food places but keep going, knowing they probably won’t have anything for me to eat besides french fries, and sadly those crunchy bits of heaven won’t cut it tonight. After turning around at the end of town, I decide to head down one of the busy-looking side roads off the main drag, then spot the sign for a bar and grill off in the distance. Not seeing a space, I pass the restaurant and start scanning the road for a place to park, then sigh in relief when I spot an older woman getting into her car.

  I flip on my turn signal and pull down my visor to check my reflection. After rubbing away the dark smudges of mascara under my eyes, I flip the mirror back into place, then watch in disbelief as a huge truck curves around me to angle into the space I’ve been waiting for. Tired, hungry, and now annoyed, I pull forward with my finger hovering over my passenger-window button, ready to roll it down and give the driver a piece of my mind for stealing my spot, but I stop as a man unfolds from the truck.

  Boot-covered feet hit the ground first. Long legs encased in denim and a torso covered in a dark-green tee with a long-sleeved plaid over it that fits tight across his abs, muscular chest, and biceps follow. Then him. My breath gets caught in my throat when I get a glimpse of his profile: a strong jaw covered in stubble and a nose straight off a Greek god statue. Which, along with his full lips and dark hair that appears almost black in the light of the setting sun, has me stunned.

  When he disappears around the hood of his truck, I shake myself out of my daze and drive forward, reminding myself there are literally millions of good-looking men in the world, including my ex, and most of them are not worth the dirt they kick up with their boots. After driving up and down past the restaurant twice, I finally find a place to park and get out.

  I grab my bag off the passenger seat and head inside, trying not to feel awkward when I see that most of the people are here to meet others or are hanging out in groups. Holding my purse close to my hip, I wait in the line that’s formed near the front door, trying to ignore the looks coming my way. With most of the women wearing jeans and T-shirts, I must stand out in my loose cream lace tank, bell-bottomed jeans, wedge heels, floppy hat, and fringed vegan leather bag I designed and hand-stitched each and every detail onto.

  When I finally reach the front of the line, I step up to the podium, smiling at the redhead who’s been seating everyone, and blink when she looks over my shoulder without even acknowledging me.

  “Hey, Tanner.” A megawatt smile curves her full lips, making her even prettier than she already is. “Are you wanting a table?”

  “Yeah, thanks,” a deep voice rumbles behind me, and I turn to look over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes when I see it’s the guy who stole my parking spot earlier. Not that he notices. Like most people today, he’s staring at his phone like it has the answers to life and barely looks up from it when he follows the hostess to a small table.

  “Jerk.” I glare at him as the redhead hands him a menu, which he accepts without even a thank-you. Not that she cares—her smile hasn’t faltered once.

  “Are you waiting to be seated?”

  At that question, I focus on the older gentleman now standing behind the podium.

  “Yes.” I force a smile.

  “Just one?” He looks down at the laminated table layout in front of him.

  “Just one.”

  “It looks like it’s going to be about ten more minutes for a table, but you can eat at the bar if you don’t feel like waiting.”

  Instead of complaining, like Jade would do if she were here, I let out a breath and nod. “I’ll just do that, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Enjoy.”

  “Thanks.” I head across the room, taking off my hat when I reach the bar. I find an empty seat at the end and climb up onto one of the stools, smiling at the bartender when he starts walking my way. Excited that I’m finally going to get something to eat, I turn to set my bag on the stool next to me, and when I spin around, Tanner—with his broad shoulders and thick hair—is leaning into the bar at my side, holding a ten-dollar bill between his fingers.

  “Mason,” he calls out, and the bartender lifts his chin in acknowledgment. “Let me get a Miller.”

  “Are you kidding me right now?” I bite out, not even attempting t
o hide my annoyance, and he turns his head my way. When his hazel eyes lock with mine, he blinks. “Am I invisible?”

  “Pardon?” He shakes his head, causing a chunk of hair to fall over his brow.

  “Am I invisible?” I repeat, ignoring the way my fingers twitch, wanting to push that piece of hair away from his forehead. “I’m just asking because this is the third time you’ve cut me off, so either I’m invisible, or you’re just a jerk.”

  “I haven’t cut you off,” he denies, standing to his full height, which means I have to tip my head way, way back to keep our eyes locked.

  “You did! You stole my parking spot, you stole my table, and now you’re stealing my bartender.”

  “Your bartender?” he repeats, and I narrow my eyes.

  “I was here first, so yes. My bartender.”

  “I didn’t see you.” He runs his fingers through his hair.

  “So I am invisible.” I roll my eyes and grab the menu from the little holder on the bar . . . and get more annoyed when I see it’s nothing but drinks.

  “Everything okay here, Tanner?” the bartender asks, handing him the beer he asked for as his gaze pings between the two of us.

  “Just a little miscommunication,” Tanner says. “Can you put whatever she wants on my bill?”

  “I’m not drinking. I’m eating.” I glare at him, then look at the bartender and plaster a sweet smile on my face. “I don’t want him to pay for my food, but can I please see a menu?”

  “Sure.” He smirks at Tanner as he reaches under the counter, pulls one out, and hands it to me. “I’ll give you a few minutes to look it over. Just shout for me when you’re ready. My name’s Mason.”

  “Thank you, Mason.”

  “Anytime.” He winks and I sigh, dropping my eyes to look over the menu while ignoring the man at my side, who I can feel still watching me.

  “Look,” Tanner says, resting his elbows on the bar and bringing us closer together. “I feel bad about what happened. I was distracted, but I swear I didn’t do any of that shit on purpose.”

  “It’s fine,” I mumble, wishing he would go away, because the scent of pine, leather, and him is starting to play with my head.

  “You’re saying it’s fine, but I’m getting the feeling it’s not. Please, let me buy you dinner.”