My Twist of Fortune by Rayne, Piper (top fiction books of all time TXT) 📕

and handles most of the operations. Last year she invested, so she owns twenty-five percent. Eventually I’ll have her buy me out.”

One thing I always admired about Hank was the way he never held anything back. His life was always open for inspection and he’d answer every question honestly. It’s an admirable trait.

“Why? Maybe one of your kids will want it.”

He shakes his head. “Laurie and I always agreed that the kids had to make their own way. I don’t want any of them to feel an obligation to take over one of our businesses or think that maybe Laurie would’ve wanted that for them. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah.” I really admire how well Hank is raising his kids on his own. I could stand to take a lesson from him.

He sips his coffee. “So what were you doing in there?”

I groan, taking my own sip of coffee to delay the embarrassing admission that I need a job and have zero qualifications. “Looking for a job.”

“What are you looking to do?”

We turn by the bay, where the shallow water is beginning to freeze. I can’t see the mountains in the distance in the dark, but I know they’re there. He leads us onto the walking path.

“More like what can I do? I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the past eighteen years. Before then, I had limited work experience after I graduated college.”

“What did you get your degree in?”

“I never graduated. Once Jeff finished, he convinced me that he had us under control and my time was best spent making a home.” The weight of disappointment in myself settles on my shoulders.

“And you enjoyed that?”

“Honestly?”

He stops and nods, looking at me over the rim of his cup as he sips his coffee.

“I did. I loved raising our kids. Being room mother, going on field trips, volunteering, having playdates. Some of the best times with my kids happen when we’re in the car on the way somewhere. It’s where they always asked me questions and we’d have real conversations, you know? I’d never take that back, but maybe I should’ve had more balance. Why did I just drop all my own hopes and dreams? Sometimes I think my girls look at me and think, ‘I don’t want to become her.’”

His shoulder bumps mine. “You’re being way too hard on yourself.”

“Am I? Because I remember feeling that way about my mom at one point. I thought she didn’t have any ambition. And then I turn into her. Now the man who promised he’d take care of me just threw me out and I’m dropping the kids off while wearing a stained sweatshirt and my dad’s flannel pants.” I find a park bench and sit.

Hank follows, his large body stretching out beside me.

“How did I get here and how on Earth do I pick myself up?” I mumble before tears sting my eyes, threatening to fall. It will be the lowest of lows for me if I lose it in front of Hank.

“Everyone has regrets, but the great thing about life is that it’s never too late to change what you don’t like. You can pivot and go down a different path.”

I glance at him. “There’s this pesky thing called qualifications that you need to get a job.”

“I’m looking for an assistant. Want to apply?”

I laugh. “So I can lose a finger or two? No thanks.”

“Hey now, there you go underestimating yourself. It’d probably be the whole hand.”

I laugh again, and my head falls to his shoulder in a “thank you for making me not feel like a total loser here” gesture. His arm locks around my body to keep me there, then his lips press to the top of my head. He smells nice, like fresh air with a hint of fire.

I’m not sure if there’s more to him offering me comfort than just being a friendly shoulder to cry on—literally—but something stirs deep in my belly.

“There are lots of options. Think about something you really love to do,” he whispers. “And if all else fails, I’ll hire you. But I will warn you, there’s a required uniform that involves short skirts and heels.”

I swat his stomach and his chest vibrates with a chuckle. I wind myself out of his hold because we’re dangerously close to crossing a line I’m not sure either one of us thinks we should. Our gazes lock once there’s room between us, the glow of the light above the bench shining down on his face. A face that’s older and world-wearier than I last saw it in my youth, but no less handsome.

“Will you go on a date with me?” he asks before I get out the words that we’re looking for trouble. His hand moves up and cradles my cheek.

I lean into his touch. “I—”

“I know what you’re afraid of. The same thing you were in high school—that this town will cast you as the bad guy. The woman who went from cousin to cousin. But I don’t care. I let this opportunity slip away from me once and I won’t do it again. To hell with this town and their gossip and judgments.”

“Easy for you to say.” I slide out of his hold and stand, tossing my coffee into the trash receptacle on the other side of the path.

“It won’t be easy for either of us. I have a dead wife I loved. I grieved for her in plain sight. If we start things, I’m not naïve enough not to know what people will think.”

“This town loves you.”

“They’d question whether I ever truly loved Laurie. I know it, and it scares me that my kids might hear that kinda bullshit because I did truly love Laurie with every fiber of my being. I don’t necessarily believe in soul mates or being fated to one person, but I do believe in listening to my gut. And my gut tells me there’s still something between us worth exploring. It fucking sucks that my wife died and your husband