Destined (The Rangers of Ridge County #1)

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MILLIE

M y parents left a few days ago, and the Ranger sisters had made it their mission to cheer me up.

Tonight, we were at Rory’s ringing in the new year.

When they suggested hanging out, I tried declining—not in the mood for dressing up or going out. But they both assured me they were more than happy staying in and celebrating.

It didn’t take much more to convince me because I was lonelier than ever in that rental house.

“I used the leftover decorations from the shop,” Rory admitted sheepishly when she opened the front door earlier. The tree was still up, but at some point in the past few days, she had replaced its red ornaments with disco balls and icicles. There were silver streamers hanging as well as New Year’s themed balloons floating around the room.

Hours later, I found myself still grinning at how over-the-top the decorations were. We might not have known each other long, but these women were genuine—having thrown all of this together in an attempt to raise my spirits.

Was this what it felt like to have true friends?

In the year since my failed engagement, I had steered clear of all relationships—not just romantic ones. So this level of effort from anyone besides my parents caught me off guard.

“Popcorn?” Greer asked, thrusting a steaming bag at me as she lowered herself onto the couch. I groaned, nauseated at the thought of stuffing another morsel in my mouth. She had baked a cake then decorated it to resemble a clock striking midnight, and I had eaten more than my fair share of the chocolaty goodness. Not to mention the pizza we inhaled a couple of hours ago.

“I’ll fall into a food coma if I eat another crumb,” I replied, handing the bag back to her. She shrugged, reaching into it and pulling out a few pieces smothered in butter.

Rory came into the room wearing a Happy New Year hat and holding two more in her hand, which she pushed at Greer and me before plopping down in between us. I put mine on, but Greer tossed hers to the side as she reached for the remote.

The television was already on some special airing the countdown to midnight. With less than half an hour to go, Rory shouted at her smart speakers to play today’s greatest hits.

The voice of a familiar artist belted through the room at an unreasonably loud level, but Rory didn’t seem to notice. Greer winced, but neither of us commented.

After a few songs, I grew accustomed to the music’s volume. So when an even louder bang rattled the front door, I startled. Rory jumped up and raced for the door, flinging it open without even checking to see who was on the other side.

“Emmett!” she greeted cheerfully, stepping aside and allowing the broody man in to crash our party. His head towered over hers, and the scowl on his face had me guessing this was not a social call.

“Turn that shit down,” he barked at no one in particular before his gaze landed on me, and I returned his scowl.

The music cut off, but Emmett’s frown only deepened.

“Fun police,” Greer murmured, and Emmett rolled his eyes before turning his attention to Rory.

“Someone filed a noise complaint,” Emmett stated matter-of-factly. “And I can understand why because that shit was fucking loud, Rory.”

“It was not!” she exclaimed and looked over to Greer and me for support. I tugged the hat off my head and inspected it closely, neither confirming nor denying.

“Maybe just a little, Ro,” Greer admitted, grabbing another fistful of popcorn and fixing her attention back on the countdown that had dwindled to under two minutes.

“Whatever,” Rory huffed before sitting back down and leaving Emmett to stand.

With a minute until midnight, an awkward silence filled the space.

“Way to kill the vibe,” Greer called over to Emmett who shrugged his shoulders.

My gaze flitted to the screen where the countdown ticked to under thirty seconds. Rory started shouting her own countdown, and I laughed before joining in.

Ten, nine, eight…

I glanced over to Emmett and found his gaze fixed on me once more.

Seven, six, five…

My attention dropped to his mouth.

Four, three…

It was customary to share a kiss with someone at the stroke of midnight, after all.

Two, one…

But he was the last person I planned on doing that with.

Somewhere in the distance, I heard fireworks boom. Emmett cursed, but his eyes followed me as I leaned over and gave Rory a peck on the cheek.

His focus intensified, and my palms dampened under his heated stare. Then he doused the flames with a shake of his head before sweeping out the door.

“Just keep it down, ladies,” he called back at us before slamming it shut.

My phone rang, and I answered without looking at the screen. It was early in the afternoon, and I had been ecstatically working on things for several new clients all morning. Partnering with Rory and Greer during the final quarter of last year was a huge turning point for my business. I now had a full roster of clients who could be calling.

“Hello!” I greeted cheerfully.

“Millie, this is Veronica,” a nasally voice replied. One that was all too familiar.

“It’s nothing personal,” Veronica snubbed, her words as sharp as the angles of her face. “We just don’t think you’re ready to take on a role like this, yet.”

My numbers were the best in the department, and I’d secured a lucrative account just last week.

I wanted to snap back, but what good would it do? The panel had made their decision, and they didn’t want me. Seemed like an ongoing theme.

Her eyes assessed me, looking for cracks she could dig her heels into. She wouldn’t find any, not with all the concealer I had caked under my eyes to hide the dark circles. And I had no more tears left to cry. Jared and Mia made sure of that.

One week. It had been one week, and the two were already dating publicly as if our five-year relationship meant nothing.

To make matters worse, everyone in our department knew. The two weren’t trying to hide anything, and I wondered if they ever really had. Was I the last to know?

I suspected that this scandal had been the deciding factor in the panel’s decision not to promote me. Technically, Jared and I were both marketing specialists, but the promotion was more of a corporate role versus the field position I currently held. There would have been no conflict of interest—I’d made certain of that before applying.

Mia worked in human resources, and that wouldn’t have been an issue either.

Honestly, the worst part about all of this was I still had to see them everyday. But I could keep my head down. I wasn’t bitter. In fact, I was grateful to have dodged that bullet. It might have grazed me and still hurt, but it wasn’t a fatal wound.

My heart would heal.

“Thank you for the consideration,” I forced a smile up at her, hoping she would leave me alone now.

“Oh,” Veronica chirped as she stepped out of my cubicle. “I do hope you can remain professional around Jared and Mia.” The grin that stretched across her face was maniacal, and I flinched at the onslaught.

Her smile widened, obviously happy to have finally broken through my defenses. Then she turned, and her heels clicked down the hallway to her office before she slammed the door shut.

I frowned, shaking off the memory.

Didn’t I block her number?

I pulled the phone away from my ear but didn’t recognize the number on the display.

“Hello?” Veronica snapped, and I sighed, returning the device to my ear.

“Yes, Veronica,” I replied. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m calling in regards to the Harrington account,” she huffed, her words laced with venom. “Jared has been tending to all of your former clients,” she said, and I could hear her grin at the intended jab. But it didn’t land, because I couldn’t care less about him or her—and definitely not the firm I had worked for back in Tennessee.

“And what exactly does that have to do with me?” I asked, trying to usher her along. Though, I had half a mind to hang up and block the number.

“When Jared reached out to Mr. Harrington’s office, his secretary informed him they would no longer be in need of our services,” she scoffed as if the idea was utterly ridiculous.

“And?” I asked, hoping she’d get to the point soon.

“Some chatter has started amongst the marketing community,” Veronica continued. “Whispers suggesting Harrington Holdings might be working with a freelance agent.”

Her tone was accusatory, and I rolled my eyes. The fact it had been more than six months since I left, and they were just now putting these pieces together spoke volumes. I didn’t even bother replying and silently waited for her to continue.

“I wanted to remind you of the non-compete agreement you signed,” she spat.

“I’m aware,” I assured her. “Harrington Holdings was the firm’s client, and I am working with Mr. Harrington’s son, Wells.”

If Wells had gotten his father to abandon the firm, then I’d have to thank him the next time we spoke. Maybe even send a fruit basket.

“U—uh,” Veronica stammered, suddenly at a loss for words.

“Though, I would like to remind you that the non-compete agreement you referenced expired six months after my exit date,” I said. “Which was three days ago. So, if I want to partner with Harrington Holdings, I am well within my right to do so.”

“You won’t be able to provide for a company that large,” Veronica hissed.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Have the day you deserve, Veronica,” I said. “Oh, and don’t contact me again.”

I really needed some of Greer’s Signature Brownies after that conversation. I found a stopping point in my work and shut down my laptop.

Millie:

Are there any brownies left?

Greer:

Sorry, they sold out around noon.

Millie:

Damn it.

Greer:

You snooze, you lose.

Rory:

You sit on a throne of lies, Greer Ranger!!!

Greer:

I plead the fifth…

Millie:

Stop speaking in code and tell me about the brownies!

Greer:

I am going to eat those brownies I saved for the both of you.

Millie:

You wouldn’t dare…

Moving toward the back door, I grabbed my keys, sunglasses, and crossbody bag along the way. Once there, I slipped my feet into snow boots and my arms into a fluffy winter coat. I had broken down and bought both back in November after catching the flu.

Sliding my sunglasses on, I opened the back door and palmed my keys.

Before I had a chance to close it, a black ball of fur scurried between my legs and into the house. Chuckling, I called out, “Jet, no more surprises. Please!” I would never get used to the presents he left for me—mice, birds, even other small animals. Aside from that, he had turned out to be the best roommate. He came and went as he pleased but didn’t create too much of a mess.

I rushed to my car, falling into the driver’s door as I skated across a patch of ice that had formed beside it overnight. I really should have been paying better attention so I didn’t end up with some injury I couldn’t afford.

Climbing inside and cursing, I rubbed my hands together missing the gloves I lost earlier in the week.

As I steered toward town with the heat blasting, I considered my life and how much it had changed since this time last year. It was different in the best way now that I’d found my footing here in Ranger Ridge.

I swerved into an open parking space and took in all the red and pink decorations. With the right marketing strategy, February was a slam-dunk for most businesses.

I pushed open the door and walked into Sips. The aroma of coffee beans and sugar filled the air, instantly boosting my mood. Moving toward the empty display case, I grinned as I took in the customers scattered around the space and on the stairs.

Greer must have been in the back because I spotted Rory first as she made her way down the stairs, greeting people as she passed.

“I’m so happy to see you!” she exclaimed, closing the distance.

“How was the trip to the Valley?” I asked.

“Uneventful, thankfully. But I’m praying for an early thaw,” she sighed.

During the winter, she had to venture to Lower Ridge Valley to pick up her inventory restock. While Ranger Ridge was the hub of Ridge County, the Valley remained more accessible for freight until most of the snow melted.

Greer stepped through the swinging kitchen doors, and I immediately spied the wrapped treats in her hands.

“Gimme,” Rory said, reaching over the counter for the goods. Greer rolled her eyes but forked them over. Rory passed one to me, and I unwrapped it then shoved the dessert into my mouth. The warm, gooey chocolate had a loud moan slipping from between my lips.

A throat cleared behind me, and I spun to find smoldering green eyes staring back at me.