Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate (Adelaide) novel Chapter 130

“Nothing happened, he said he wanted to see her, he saw her. Let’s just hope that’s the end of it” Carter’s voice in my head went quiet as they walked up, and I beamed at Briar. My friend, whom I had failed, and she didn’t even know it, as she placed a plate of fried Oreos graciously in front of me. I looked up at her and beamed but the worry in her face proved I hadn’t

covered my regret that had obviously shone in my eyes.

“You OK Lan?”

“Yeah, I am now,” I lied as I picked up a delectable treat and hit into it. I got lost in my thoughts as they bantered. How was Carter doing this? Keeping all the secrets so easily? That’s right it was in her best interest. I sighed, suddenly not hungry as I forced myself to eat another. Secrets had a way of catching up with people.

“You know you’re going to have to start telling her things soon?” I spoke into Carter’s mind as 1 peered up over Briar’s head at lum as she ate. He glanced at me, then down at Briar. Troubled thoughts were clear in that look.

“I know,” his voice ghosted back to me.

We ate and then we wandered around the fair trying out a few rides and games. Carter won Briar a giant stuffed unicorn and she won him a puppy holding a heart in his hands. I watched the clock. When the time was getting close I steered them to the food contests. First was chili then a hot dog eating contest. When it came to deserts I started hopping from one foot to the other. Carter eyed me curiously. When the dishes were announced they got to the fifth one

and Briar’s jaw dropped.

“You sneaky fucking bitch! I thought Carter ate the pie!”

“There was pie?” Carter asked aghast.

“There were two,” I pointed out.

“Yeah and you commended the second, after polishing off the first,” Briar accused.

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15.09 Mon, Oct 5

Chapter 130

“I liked it so much I stole it and entered it into the contest.”

Briar rolled her eyes.

“Why? It’s just a poor Appalachian recipe, it’s nothing fancy.”

“Pfft, it was amazing and everyone should know it.”

Briar shook her head in disbelief.

The judges began taste testing and the crowd became quiet. Several moments later they came

up to the microphone to announce the winners. A decadent chocolate cake got 3rd prize. A

cheesecake 2nd.

“Bragging rights to the first prize goes to Briar Anderson with a buttermilk salted caramel pie.

Briar’s jaw dropped and she didn’t know what to do as Carter and I pushed her forward. They

handed her a ribbon and gift basket full of goodies and gift cards. She smiled nervously as a

few pictures were taken and shook some hands Everyone clapped and Carter and I whooped. and hollered for her. She looked up from the commotion her eyes locked on something far

behind us. Carter and I followed her gaze as he clapped from the back of the tent, his face turned up into a strange smile, his eyes glued to hers. Carter growled and I grabbed his arm,

willing him to calm down when his sister popped up beside him.

“So your new toy knows how to bake.” she said dryly Carter scowled at her and I dragged him.

off to the side to reel him in. What was her problem anyway?

Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate

Briar

1. me.

I was overwhelmed, and Lana was to blame. I strained a smile and shook the hands of the people congratulating me for my mothers pie. It was a strange feeling. The dues weren’t for

but her and my throat tightened at the thought as I hurried through the small throng of people politely praising me. Had mom chosen to stay here, I wondered if she would have been a rare exception to the community’s weariness of outsiders. At home my mother was cordial with everyone but she didn’t make friends, the only person she seemed at ease with was Jake. How was this place any different? Being outsiders here or there… she must have had a reason.

The thoughts were loud in my head.

Something alerted me to a presence. When I looked up I was staring into the silver eyes of the man from earlier today. The way his eyes bored into mine across the tent reminded me of someone else. I couldn’t place it, this unnerving feeling. Something truly unsettled me about this man. I was making my way off the stage intending on getting far away from him when

Carter’s sister intercepted me.

“I need to talk to you…” she said, looping her arm into mine and dragging me out of the tent. Where were Lana and Carter? What did she want right now? I wasn’t in the right mind to

manage it all.

“What’s up? I asked.

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