Wrong Places: Rosa Oaks, #1

By Teralyn Mitchell

Sometimes the path to happily ever after runs through all the wrong places…

Romance never did Maggie Anthony any favors. So now that she's back in her small hometown as a divorced single mom, she plans to avoid it all together. Which would've been easy…if her first love hadn't walked back into her life wanting a second chance…

Xavier Wilson doesn't blame Maggie for hating him. His commitment issues were legendary. Now that she's back, though, he's determined to show her how sorry he is. He knows he doesn't deserve her. But that won't stop him from trying to earn her…

When all is said and done, will a little forced proximity, some neighborly rivalry, and a ton of unresolved sexual chemistry help convince Maggie to open her heart to Xavier again?

There's only one way to find out…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teralyn Mitchell
• Release date: May 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215814338

Book preview

1

MAGGIE

Who are you staring at so hard?

No one.

Right. So I’m just imagining that my best friend isn’t looking at my face? Rhiannon quipped.

I tore my eyes away from Xavier and the pretty woman he was sitting with. They were in my line of sight when I was standing behind the register at my family’s coffee shop. Amusement danced in my best friend’s hazel eyes and mine sought out Xavier again. I shook my head. He was still the same guy, flaunting pretty girls in my face. He’d only been back in Rosa Oaks for about a month now, and he was living with my brother, Zane. I had no interest in rekindling a relationship with him, so it shouldn’t bother me that he was sitting over there with another woman. What we had ended over five years ago. It shouldn’t bother me, but stupidly, it did.

Why are you here again? I asked.

To bug you, of course. Jess is gone this weekend, and I didn’t want to stay at my apartment in the city.

I don’t know what I did to deserve you as a friend.

Nothing at all. It was our moms, so you can thank them, she replied with a cheeky grin.

The bell over the door dinged, and I moved away from Rhiannon to help the customer walking toward the counter. They ordered a simple coffee that took me all of two minutes to make. The man thanked me and headed right back out the door.

You never answered my question, Maggie Anthony.

Why are you two-naming me? Stop being so bossy.

Answer the damn question or I’m going to talk about really inappropriate things when your next customer comes in.

I groaned. She’d totally do it and just deal with the lecture she’d get from my mom and probably her mom too. Rhiannon lived by the phrase it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Do you not see Xavier sitting over there?

Rhiannon glanced over. I saw him when I came in. But why would I think my best friend is staring at him when she’s told me on so many occasions—since she’s been back—how she’s over Xavier? You know, finito, finished.

I looked up, letting out a long sigh. Sometimes I truly wondered why I put up with her. Why are you like this?

Like what? Totally awesome and freaking amazing? she quipped, grinning widely. I got to go hang with my true bestie.

That didn’t sting like you hoped it would, I shot back.

It did or you wouldn’t have said anything. Stop by my parents’ farmhouse when you get off.

I agreed as she slid off her stool. She was gone in an instant. There was never a dull moment with Rhiannon. You’d think she was the more outgoing of the two of us, but she was actually reserved when it came to meeting new people. The people she knew… yeah, we got the Rhiannon who just left.

I walked into Rhiannon’s parents’ home, affectionately called the Saucers’ Farmhouse, through the garage door, which was unlocked. I ended up going through the kitchen to get to the den where I found my bestie lounging and half watching a replay of a basketball game.

I have a brilliant idea, were the first words she said when she saw me.

Okay, I said, a bit wary because most of Rhiannon’s ideas weren’t brilliant, and a lot of the times they ended with me getting in some kind of trouble because of her. But first, where’s Emmy?

Dad took Emmy and Ollie to get ice cream. Mom went along and says it’s a date night, Rhiannon told me.

I dropped down beside her on the couch. Have they even eaten dinner yet?

Like my mom would ever not feed the kids before they had dinner. Dude, you remember how she was when we were kids. She’s the same now.

I chuckled. Yeah, Ms. Irene—Rhiannon’s mom—was strict and felt like certain things had to be done in order. Like, no dessert before dinner and kids should do homework as soon as they got home. I was used to it having known her since I was born.

Do you want to hear my idea? Rhiannon asked.

Fine. Excuse me for wanting to know where my kid was first.

Now who’s being the annoying one? Rhiannon quipped. But I’m going to let it slide since you’ve stalled me enough. When I was heading over here, I got a call from a client whose house I finished last month. He offered me the use of his rental cabin in Blue Ash, North Carolina next weekend. It’ll be free of charge for us, so I was thinking we should totally go. We never celebrated you and Xavi’s homecoming. This would be perfect for that.

I think that’s a damn good idea, Rhi. You know, I could use a vacation, and since I’m sure Mom will agree, I’ll get her to cover my shifts at the coffee shop. When will we drive up?

Thursday night so we could get in two days of skiing and snowboarding, she responded. I invited Mase, Aly, and Zane, along with Xavier, of course.

Yay, I’m glad Aly is coming, and Mase could also use the trip as much as I can, I said. What about Emmy?

I already made arrangements for my favorite little girl. Your parents will watch her on Friday, and Morgan’s parents agreed to watch her on Saturday when your mom has to work at the coffee shop. Your dad could have technically watched her, but he has to take Beasty to some extracurricular activity, and I thought it’d be easier if he didn’t have a two-year-old to keep up with.

"Dude, did you just call my sister Beasty? You two have the strangest relationship."

Of course I did. It’s one of my nicer nicknames for her, she answered, and I shook my head. And our relationship would be so much better if she didn’t feel the need to always tell me what to do. We fight because she can’t understand who’s the adult in the relationship.

I chuckled. Olivia—my sister—was nine years younger than me and Rhiannon, and we grew up babysitting her and spending a lot of time with her, unlike my older brother, Zane. Rhiannon had known her since she was a baby, changing her diaper and all that stuff. I knew it was all talk. She loved Olivia as if she were her own little sister. And they argued like they were related.

Didn’t you just call her your bestie earlier?

That was because I hadn’t seen her yet today. I saw her and she had a snide comment about my outfit, so we’re not friends anymore.

Wow, that went left fast, I quipped, and she flipped me off.

So, you’re in? Rhiannon asked. I’m not telling Mr. Kavanaugh yes until you say you’re coming. If not, then no one is going.

Aww, I knew you loved me best and I was your favorite. I hugged her, and she pushed me away, laughing. And of course it’s a yes. It’ll be fun.

Hell, yeah, it’ll be fun.

Rhiannon had her phone out already and made the call. I wandered into the kitchen to find something to snack on. I was excited about the trip, even though Xavier was going too. The last couple of years had been a lot to deal with. I’d found out my husband, Morgan, was cheating but gave him another chance. I thought we were on the right path but not even a year later I caught him in our bed getting a blowjob from one of the fellow moms in our building. I was twenty-five years old and living back at home with my parents, sister, and daughter. That wasn’t where I thought my life would be when I said, I do, three years ago.

I’m out, Mags, Rhiannon said, joining me in the kitchen with the refrigerator door open.

Where’re you going? I asked, finally deciding on a yogurt.

It may seem strange that I was just going into Rhiannon’s parents’ fridge without asking, but it wasn’t. We grew up together. I’d spent as much time at the Saucers’ Farmhouse as I’d spent at my own. I found a spoon and sat at the massive island in the kitchen where we usually gathered when we were here.

I have plans with Xavier and Zane, she answered. I’m having dinner with them at their place. Connor is joining us, and Xavier's latest squeeze is too, I think. I’m not looking forward to seeing Hannah, so maybe you could come with.

No, thanks. I’m not going to be a fifth wheel and have to play referee between you and Hannah.

She’s the one with the problems, not me.

I know, and it’s weird. I don’t know how I’m supposed to like her if she doesn’t like my best friend. It’s kind of hard with her being Zane’s fiancée.

It’s a conundrum. But I got to go.

Have fun, I guess, and don’t text me all night.

I make no promises.

She hugged me and kissed my cheek before leaving me alone in the kitchen.

2

XAVIER

I glanced over to where Maggie was helping a customer at the counter. It was my second time in RJ Coffee Shop in as many days, but my realtor wanted to meet again. Maggie smiled at the guy who she handed the coffee to, and my hand balled into a fist under the table. I knew that guy. He was just a year ahead of Maggie when they were in high school, and I think she went to prom or homecoming with him. I had no right to be jealous that Maggie was giving another man some attention. I’d be lying if I said it’d been easy being back in Rosa Oaks. I moved back just a few weeks before Christmas and seeing her every day was a temptation I wished I didn’t have.

It’d been years since we lived in the same city. I thought my feelings for Maggie were gone, but all it took was being around her again every day for those feelings to come rushing back. But there was no way I could go there with her again. I’d hurt Maggie too many times to do it again just for some no-strings-attached relationship I knew she wasn’t interested in. Besides, I had my own demons to wrestle with, and I definitely wasn’t ready to settle down.

I found some options in Atlanta, as well as Widow’s Peak, Shannon said, bringing my attention back to her. I know you were hoping for something in town, but the options aren’t great right now.

I was afraid of that. It’s not like people sell a lot here, I replied.

I was toying with the idea of opening my own art gallery right here in Rosa Oaks. After spending years showcasing my artwork in more countries than I could count, I thought this would be a cool way to give back to my hometown. I wanted to help up-and-coming artists, and with my contacts, I actually could. I also wanted to start an after-school program where I’d teach drawing and painting to children, as well as adults who wanted to learn. I knew a lot of kids didn’t have the same opportunities I had growing up, and this was something not a lot of people put thought into. There were tons of sports camps to help underprivileged children, which was fine, but not enough that dealt with the arts and crafts that some children were interested in.

There are a few commercial buildings available in the surrounding towns that wouldn’t put you too far from here. I’ll keep looking and try to find something here. I know how important it is for your art studio to be located in Rosa Oaks.

It is. The money it’d make and the exposure for our little town would be amazing, I responded. But I also understand if you’re unable to find something.

I’m not giving up, Xavier, she promised. But I do have another meeting in Atlanta, so I need to get going.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

She gathered her things and hurried out. The guy was still flirting with Maggie as she helped other customers. Her smile and laugh seemed to slash through me, and I didn’t want to sit here and watch this. I stood, leaving the coffee shop as well. I’d promised my dad I’d help him mend the fence in the backyard anyway. It only took me five minutes to get to my parents’ place. I smiled when I saw that Emeline was playing in the front yard of her grandparents’ house. I parked on the side of the road and climbed out. Emeline spotted me right away and called my name. I had just enough time to turn and catch her as she launched herself into my arms.

Hi, Xavi, she greeted cheerfully. "Play with me!

Hi, Emmy. I’m sorry, but I can’t.

Her bottom lip stuck out as her brows furrowed. Pease?

I almost caved. I promised my dad I’d help him with something.

I go too.

It won’t be fun. Don’t you want to stay up here and play?

She shook her head, and when I tried to put her back on her feet, she clung to me, saying no as loud as she could. I chuckled softly. I never would have imagined Maggie’s daughter taking to me like she had. There was no use arguing with her since she’d find her way back there anyway. It was easier to just go along with what the two-year-old wanted. After I let Ms. Natasha—Maggie and Zane’s mother—know that Emeline would be in the backyard with me, we headed that way. As soon as Emeline saw my dad, she squirmed out of my arms to run to him.

Hey, Squirt, he said sweetly.

I help, she told him, grabbing the hammer out of the toolbox.

Whoa, he said. Slow down, Emmy. We don’t need the hammer yet.

She giggled as I joined them, smiling the whole time. This little girl had such a big personality. Being around her was like being around Maggie when she was that age. Emeline was so much like her mother, and she even looked a lot like her. Emeline took my hand and swung it while Dad told me how I could help him with the fence. Emeline listened as if she was going to do all of that.

Got it, Pops. Are you ready, Emmy?

Yes!

Dad laughed and ushered her closer so he could show her how she could help.

3

MAGGIE

I grabbed my bag from the trunk and shut it, hurrying after Rhiannon and Aly into the cabin. It was freaking freezing outside, but when I stepped into the cabin, I saw that it was bright and could feel how warm and toasty it was. We knocked the snow off our feet on the rug before stepping farther into the house. Rhiannon had let Mr. Kavanaugh know when we were close, per his instructions, and now I knew why.

The lights had been turned on downstairs, and there was a fire roaring in the fireplace. The whole downstairs was a gorgeous open layout. Rhiannon walked to the island in the kitchen, which was covered in bags of groceries, and there was a note sitting there as well. I joined Rhiannon as she picked it up and read the letter over her shoulder. It was from her client. He’d had the cabin stocked with food for us and made sure we had