Free Embraceable You (Irish Hearts Series) by Mary Tate Engels Page B

knows what they’ll decide to do. Probably not this business, but that’s okay. I want them to find their own passions. This is mine."
    Siena finished eating while Goldie waited on another customer. Then she came back to finish their conversation. "The way you love to bake, you could always open your own bakery. But I'll be the first to say it's damn hard work , starting at four in the mourning."
    Siena shook her head. "I bake for fun. I have some other ideas for my business. Thanks, Goldie. For everything. Your advice is golden."
    "Just telling you what worked for me. You have to decide what’s best for you." Goldie pulled a small loaf of zucchini bread from the showcase. "From me. For good luck in your future. You will come back and see me, won’t you?"
    "Of course." They hugged and Siena went back upstairs to her apartment to wait for the movers. Everything was packed, even Dana’s meager stuff. The rooms echoed when she walked across the bare floors. She was leaving the best place she’d ever called home. Some were happy times. Others, not so much. Still she felt sad and lonely and frustrated.
    On the foot of Dana’s bed lay a red lace pillow, a gift from Aunt Addie. Siena grabbed it and held it close. Aunt Addie had called it their latest creation, a heart’s desire pillow. Sure enough, someone had embroidered Heart’s Desire on one side. "Make a wish," she had said, "and it’ll come true. There’s power in that lace."
    Yeah, right. Siena felt no luck. Or power. See how fast her life had gone downhill since her breakup with Warren? No job, no love, no home, no personal power. She walked to the kitchen and stuffed the damned Heart’s Desire Pillow in the trash.
    Just as the movers arrived, her cell phone rang. She hand-motioned them inside, muttered a quick, "Everything goes," and answered her phone. She should have checked the caller ID because the minute she heard Warren’s voice, Siena’s stomach knotted.
    "Siena, darling, how are you?"
    "I’m fine," she snapped. "Extremely fine. As if you give a damn."
    "I’ve missed you." He paused then said, "I hope you’ve missed me, too."
    "Not for one freekin' minute." The lie came easily, maybe too quickly to be believed.
    "Siena, I thought I saw you last night at Rusty’s Nail. Is that possible? Or am I just missing you so much that I’m imagining you back in my life?"
    She held the phone at arm’s length and yelled, "No way in hell!"
    One of the movers peered at her as he walked past with an armload of boxes.
    Okay, she had foolishly gone with a friend to their favorite hang out last night but when she spotted Warren and his short-skirted bimbo, she left immediately. She was sure no one saw her. Almost sure.
    "You weren’t there?"
    Siena responded with a tinny laugh. "Not possible, Warren. I was dining with friends." Another lie just slid right out of her mouth. She hated him. He brought out the worst in her. At this point, it was easy to blame him for everything, even her own stupid behavior.
    "How about if . . . oh hell, I’ll just say it. I want to see you again, Siena."
    Something inside her exploded and words erupted from her evil, revenge-seeking mouth. "You’re way too late, jackass! I’m moving today. Out of Boston and your life forever."
    He paused before asking, "Where are you going, Siena?"
    Her breath caught in her throat. Was he having a moment of regret for losing her? Would he like to patch things up? Should she consider…? No, she wouldn’t go there. He’d been an ass, and there was no reason to believe things had changed. She had hung onto hope far too long.
    "I’ve got my own business now, Warren. I’ll take everything I learned from you and make my own success." In that moment, she believed she could do anything. And be successful. And even have Zach warming her bed at night. Maybe, if she could get rid of the beautiful Monique.
    There was a chuckle in his tone. "What kind of business?"
    With verbal venom she spat, "Lacy, racy