British Bachelor - K.K. Allen Page 0,2

I’d just had with Gwen. Then I turned toward my mom, who was eyeing me with a warning.

“Big plans tonight, huh?”

I let out a heavy sigh and shook my head while setting my elbows on the counter. “No, Mom.” I kept my voice quiet enough so only she could hear. “I just wanted to get Gwen off my back. I stopped by to pick up tea and scones so I can go back to the Hogues’ place—alone. I’m looking forward to a quiet night. No shagging, I promise.”

Her lips twitched with a threatening smile, then she turned to grab my things she’d already prepared. “Well, in that case, enjoy it. But—”

I cringed at the conversation I knew was about to follow. Here we go again.

“Getting back out there isn’t an entirely bad idea, sweetheart. You’ve been single for quite a while.”

With a pinch of my lips, I pushed my exasperation back down into my chest, where I would continue to let it brew. “Two months.” My words were quiet, measured. “That’s hardly a long time.”

“But you were with Dean for two years. The clock’s ticking.” She tapped her wrist as if that would drive her point home.

I reached over the counter and snatched the bag of scones and hot tea waiting for me. “You should be happy I got out of that relationship before it was too late.”

She tilted her head with a squint. “You never did tell me what happened between you two.”

Discomfort swarmed in the pit of my stomach. The fact that I’d dropped out of law school before fall semester classes had even started wasn’t something I’d told my parents yet. They suspected my heart had never been in my studies since I had been perfectly content staying on the slow track—acquiring credits while I worked full-time—but they maintained the belief that my life wouldn’t start until I had my business degree in hand. They were almost as bad as Dean when it came to my dreams of writing for a living.

“We were wrong for each other, plain and simple. I’m happy. Please be happy for me.”

“Of course, I’m always happy if you are. I’m just not convinced that’s the case. You’re almost thirty, Chelsea. I thought I’d have grandbabies by now.”

“Are you serious? I still have plenty of time.”

“But—”

“Please.” I emphasized the word with a laugh. “Stop it. You’ll get your grandbabies one day. I just need to find the right willy first.” I winked and turned from the counter, ready to flee and never return. I was so relieved to see that Gwen and her friends had left.

Once I made it to the door, I looked back with a final wave. “Oh, and tell Daddy I stopped by. Just—try to leave out the willy talk.”

With that, I stepped onto the sidewalk and headed in the direction of the Hogues’ home. Alone.

2

Chelsea

I took the long way back to Doctor Simon and Bridget Hogue’s home on Blackstone Boulevard, sipping my tea and strolling by the park to watch the sunset before finally entering their private subdivision, lined by well-lit streetlamps that stood out against the darkening sky. I approached the half-acre property where an English-style brick manor home sat and veered right toward the wrought iron gate that led to the back of the house.

I punched the security code into the keypad and closed it behind me then followed the path toward the brightly lit private pool in the rear courtyard. For the past two months, I’d made a home of the small pool house, which was equipped like a small apartment with a bedroom, a bathroom, a small kitchen, and a living area. Most of my time was spent in the Hogues’ main home with the kids, but during my off-hours, I was grateful for the small space I could call my own.

After closing the door behind me, I quickly traded my yoga attire for a tank top and cotton shorts, then strolled to my vintage record player—my pride and joy—and started up my new vinyl record by The 1975 that had been on repeat since it had come in the mail. Once the music was set, I tore into my takeout bag and pulled out the fresh scones, faux clotted cream, and jam. I was in pure heaven.

Entire days off at the Hogues’ manor was scarce. They were more than decent employers, always ensuring I took time off, but with their jobs at the hospital, it was rare for them to have a full day—let