You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) by Melanie Jayne Read Free Book Online Page B

running. She really wanted her to find happiness.
    “It was rough. I missed my best friend, but I was never mad at you. I was confused and worried about you, but never mad.” Jasmine was so special. Hale had never really thought about how lucky she was to have a friend like Jazz in her life, protecting her back all of these years.
    “You’re the best, Jasmine.” She felt her eyes burn and a lump form in her throat.
    “Enough. Don’t let today shake you, what you did was brave and you’ve turned out pretty good. If you had stayed here, you would have been miserable. I believe that.” Jasmine meant what she was saying, her expression was fierce.
    “Thanks, bestie.” Hale had tears in her voice and she was pretty sure, a dorky smile on her face. God, she loved Jazz.
    “So let’s start planning for your future. We have the July 4 th Festival coming up.”
    “Do you all still do the parade?”
    “Yes, and fireworks at ten. Plus, there is an invitation only cocktail party to raise money for the local food pantries.”
    “I didn’t get an invitation so I guess I don’t have to worry about that.”
    “Wrong, I have it in my purse. Bitsy Siegel wanted to deliver it, but I told her that you weren’t up to visitors yet. You can thank me later for that. Bitsy is a bitch.”
    “She still goes by Bitsy? Yikes!”
    “Plus, she considers herself to be a leader of local society.” Jasmine nodded her head slowly as the meaning of words sunk in.
    “What does Poppy have to say about that?” Jasmine’s mother had ruled Hale County for years and didn’t seem to be slowing down.
    “Humph, she tolerates her, but Mama is still the queen. Watch out for Bitsy, she’s been talking about you.”
    “She was ahead of us in school so it’s not like we were friends.” Great, now she was going to have to face the people who had decided that they didn’t like her despite not knowing her.
    “She doesn’t talk in front of me, but I hear about it or Mama does. I imagine that she feels that you are going to come in and challenge her position.”
    “Oh Lord, like that is at the top of my ‘To Do’ list.” Hale would set her straight right away. She had zero aspirations to rule anything.
    “I know! You are such a social climber and all. Just watch her.”
    “OK, I will. Can I send a check and not go to the party?” Hale felt like ice-cold fingers were brushing up and down her spine as her shoulders stiffened . I’m scared to go .
    “You could, but you know that you’re going to have to make appearances sometime.”
    “Yeah, but I don’t know that I want to go to a party where the organizer is already against me.” The nerves were already there.
    “Well, she wants Finn. She has been chasing him for years.”
    “That doesn’t concern me. She can have him.” There, she’d said it and she sounded strong. Way to go.
    Jasmine stared at her friend.
    “No really, I don’t care.” Hale shook her head negatively.
    Jasmine continued to stare. She didn’t have to say “liar” for Hale to hear it.
    Hale fidgeted in her chair. “OK, now don’t make a big deal over this, but there was this one weird moment at the door with him. But it doesn’t mean anything.” Her cheeks reddened.
    “A moment? What moment? You didn’t say anything about a moment.” Jasmine was all over that comment.
    “Christ, I feel like we are teenagers.” She could feel the heat spread from her cheeks down to her chest. “I felt a little zing when he was right in front of me. He was kind of standing over me, but it was nothing.” She felt silly even saying it.
    “What kind of zing?”
    “It was nothing . I mean, he is handsome. I would be stupid not to notice.”
    Jasmine stared at Hale as if she was measuring the truth to her statement. “You find Finn handsome?”
    “Um, err…yeah. He looks good.” She rushed to add, “But so what?” She shifted in her seat, wishing this conversation would end.
    “OK, sweetie.” Jasmine gave her a