The Groom Wanted Seconds: A Novella by Shirley Jump Read Free Book Online

where we were before? Me doing all the work in the relationship and him just coasting along? He’s a nice guy, don’t get me wrong, and one who pushes all the right buttons,” at that her face heated, “but he always kept this wall up, like he was afraid of completely opening up to me. I mean, he asked me to marry him, but couldn’t say he loved me?”
    “What if he’s changed? What if losing you has made him realize his mistakes?”
    One cup of coffee, albeit one that had been perfectly ordered, didn’t mean anything, Rebecca told herself. “What if it hasn’t?”
    Candace laughed. “Oh, Rebecca, now you sound like me. Cautious Candace, always taking the safe, planned route.”
    “Nothing wrong with that.”
    “Well, no, says this self-proclaimed look-both-ways-then-look-again gal, but I think you’re taking the easy way out. I think at heart, you’re a little more spontaneous than that.”
    “Me?” Rebecca let out a nervous laugh. If Candace only knew. “I’m not at all.”
    Or not anymore. This summer, she’d been spontaneous and look where it almost landed her. A disaster of epic proportions, averted by fate or God, or luck. Whichever, she was just glad to be back to normal, and back on track.
    Except, a part of her still felt derailed, off-kilter. It had to be the hours she’d spent working on the website, or something.
    “Who was the one who up and decided in the middle of the day to run over to Government Center and hand out samples to businesspeople?” Candace asked.
    “Me. But all that did was cost us. We didn’t get a single order out of the hundred samples I gave out.”
    “No, we didn’t that week. But people took our cards, and tucked them away, and guess what?” Candace pulled out a sheaf of papers from her back pocket. “Three of them ordered just this week. We have a new baby basket to make up, a bridal shower one to do and four others for a lawyer for Secretary’s Day.”
    Rebecca flipped through the orders. “We got all these, just from that one day?”
    “Yup. When I asked each of them how they heard about us, they mentioned the cookies and the, I quote, “cute, friendly brunette” who gave them out.” Candace covered Rebecca’s hand with her own. “You made an impression, because you took a chance. People appreciate that.”
    “I’m just trying to build our business. All three of us are.”
    “You’re the whole reason behind Gift Baskets to Die For. You’re the one who had the idea, who led us down this crazy, awesome path. Without you, me and Maria would probably be—“
    “Exactly where you are right now. I wasn’t the only one with entrepreneurial spirit.”
    “Okay, you’re right about that. But you channeled it, Rebecca. You got us to take the risk. How many girls start a business before they even graduate college? And do it with friends, at that? It breaks all the rules we learned in class.”
    Rebecca laughed. “That’s true. Professor Hinkley would shudder to think of us doing this.”
    “Exactly. So why won’t you break the rules when it comes to Jeremy?”
    She looked away. And in her gut, she knew the real reason she had avoided Jeremy. Getting back together with him would mean telling him what had happened in the months they’d been apart. She was no longer the same woman who had left in June, and never would be. Jeremy had fallen for some idealized, perfect Rebecca, and she was far from that. “We just aren’t right for each other. That’s all.”
    “I think you’re scared.” Candace crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “Yup. Terrified.”
    “Me? Of course not.”
    “What did you do when he asked you to marry him?”
    “Well, we broke up a few minutes later. I mean, I had already decided—”
    “You panicked and you ended it. Granted, his proposal sucked, and I’m not sure what’s up with him and saying those three little words, but keep in mind that he’s a guy and romance doesn’t come naturally to males. It’s up to