Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel Bella Emy (best ebook reader for laptop .TXT) 📖

once I swallow, I unclasp the table attached to the back of the seat in front of me. I then place the cup on it and go back to reading my book.

Or at least I try to. The up and down motion as we hit another wave of turbulence makes my stomach feel like I’m on a roller coaster, and I know I won’t be able to freaking concentrate.

“Great,” I whisper to myself as the seat belt sign lights up and dings from above my head.

Rolling my eyes, I buckle up and wait until this God-forsaken plane ride from hell is finally over.

“Lexi! Over here!” The sound of my best friend’s voice catches my attention as I walk with my suitcase in hand through the gate.

A smile spreads across my face as I take in the image of her flailing her arms from left to right, even after we’ve already made eye contact.

“Oh my God, it’s been so long!” Erin shouts as she wraps her arms around me. “Welcome back to Tranquility Creek!”

“I know, girl. For real,” I reply, inhaling deeply. Instantly, the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls from our favorite local bakery growing up find their way into my nostrils. We used to go there all the time after school and order some. It was pure heaven. Since I’ve been away from home for so many years, she’s brought me some, and immediately I remember why I love this girl so much.

“Mmm, that’s pure bliss. Pull it out!” I say as I step back and motion with my hand for her to give me the goodies.

Erin smirks, tilting her head and places her hands on her hips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I smirk right back at her. I know she’s just trying to throw me off. There’s no mistaking the smell of cinnamon rolls from Tranquility Creek Bakery. “Right. I know what I smelled. You can’t fool me, hand them over.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay, okay. Here!” She fishes inside her purse and pulls out a white paper bag holding our favorite treat from so long ago hostage.

After the six-hour plane ride—and my body refusing the airplane food that was waved around in front of my face by the stewardess—I’m aching for some good bad food.

My eyes widen as she pulls out the box containing the dessert and my mouth waters.

“Damn, Lex. I can never trick you.”

I smirk, gripping the box into my greedy little hands. “Not when it comes to these little babies.”

Erin laughs. “They didn’t feed you on the plane?”

I pretend to gag. “Girl, they tried to force some weird looking ziti and beef my way, but I wasn’t having it. I tried to see if it was edible, but the smell and the way it looked just threw me off. Plus, when you’ve been away from home as long as I have,” I begin and then wave the box back in front of us, “these are the little things that count, and I absolutely adore you for feeding my inner fat ass.”

Erin chuckles as we walk over to the waiting area of the airport. I plop my ass down onto the first seat and open the box of fresh cinnamon rolls. Inside, six golden rolls laced with oozing icing on top call out to me, and I pull the first one from the rest and take a bite.

I close my eyes and enjoy the taste of my childhood. “Mmm, they don’t make them like this in Jersey,” I say through a mouthful.

It’s true. Sure we have plenty of amazing bakeries in Willington and the rest of New Jersey, but nothing compares to the original recipe Tranquility Creek Bakery uses. It’s impeccable.

The sweet taste fills my mouth and although it’s been years since I’ve been back home, sitting right beside her makes me feel like I haven’t been gone very long at all.

But it’s been ages.

Moving from California to New Jersey when I was just sixteen kind of sucked. It was right before I was set to start my senior year of high school. I had so many friends and loved my school. But thanks to Mom and Dad who couldn’t, or maybe wouldn’t—to this day, I still don’t know which is accurate—work their shit out, I got the short end of the stick. I was forced to leave all my friends behind, including the one boy who held my heart for so long… but that’s another story.

Sure, I visit every so often. But it’s just not the same.

Erin pulls out her cell phone as she reads a text message on it. She laughs. “Your neighbor, New York, has the best pizza though. I know. I’ve been there.”

I giggle as I take another bite of the cinnamon roll. The flavor bursts into my mouth and I could die happy right now.

Erin has come to visit me with her sister, Kennedy, a few times. Each time is never long enough though and I miss them as soon as they’re gone.

The thought of Kennedy instantly reminds me why I’m able to be here in the first place. “So, how’s Kennedy? Is she ready for her big day?”

Erin puts her phone away after typing a response back just moments ago. “She would have been here if she didn’t have to be at the final dress fitting, but she’s going to meet us for dinner as soon as she’s done. And, girl, oh, my God. She’s so nervous, but so excited at the same time. That was actually her who texted me. She wanted to know if you landed yet.”

I nod, closing the box and placing it back inside the white paper bag. “Yeah, I can’t imagine how she must be feeling right now. I can’t believe she’ll be a married woman in just three days.”

“Tell me about it. She’s always been my little sister. Now when I have to think of her as married and starting her new life, it’s like what? When the