Troubles and Treats (Chocolate Lovers #3)(77)

She wasn’t going to let those dark thoughts mess with her psyche. Not right now. And definitely not tonight. She’d spent too much time already lately wondering “what if” and thinking about all of the things she could have done differently. Her guilt that most of those feelings revolved around the man standing next to her than on the one she’d given her heart to took up too much residence in her mind and her heart as it was.

Garrett was hurting too. He’d spent the past six months being her rock and making sure she remembered to eat, shower, work, and anything else she forgot to do when the memories and sadness threatened to overwhelm her. He needed her to be strong for once, and she was determined to do just that. Even if it meant she had to celebrate her birthday.

“Fine. But I draw the line at strangers crowding around the table singing, ‘Happy Birthday’ like a bunch of jackasses.”

“Deal.” Garrett laughed.

They turned and made their way across the beach and up the stairs to her condo, talking about birthdays past.