She bit her lower lip. “See you.”
I stood on the sidewalk and watched her go. Now I’d have to drive around town for half an hour because I had no damn errands to run.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ruby
Diners packed Curly’s. Every table was full. Tenor and I had been seated in the middle, close to the front. Everyone who entered would turn from the hostess booth and see us. I’d heard about Curly’s seating preferences from the Baileys, but this was the first I’d witnessed it.
The mayor was sitting at the table next to us. Bourbon Canyon royalty, front and center.
The gaze of other customers burned into me. In the coffee shop, I had felt the weight of others’ curiosity. Here, the load was amplified, and I didn’t miss a few of the envious glances from various women.
I had gotten one of the most coveted bachelors.
As much as I wanted to gloat, I couldn’t. Tenor tried to appear at ease, but his shoulders were rigid and he’d pushed his glasses up three times in the last two minutes.
This was the same man who’d given me two sweet kisses at Mountain Perks, though there’d been fewer witnesses.
“We did not have to come here tonight,” I said quietly and snagged a bun. If he wanted to go, I had to get them while they were warm.
“It’s just taking some getting used to.” He pushed the menu to the side. He’d never cracked it open. “I get to show off the prettiest woman in here.”
I laughed, but warmth packed in the places around the soft bun and maple bourbon butter in my belly. I’d put on the red handkerchief dress I’d worked in last night and paired it with ballet flats. I was extra short compared to Tenor, but his hot look had said he could gobble me in one bite.
Again, he could, but he wouldn’t.
A woman walked by who was probably between my age and Tenor’s. She had long dark hair hanging down her back in a braid and shrewd eyes. Her gaze caught on Tenor, then she glanced at me and did a double take.
She stopped next to me. “Are you Ruby?”
Surprised, I nodded.
She didn’t smile. “Madison Townsend.”
“Oh. Nice to meet you!” I held out a hand.
A line formed between her brows, but she eventually shook my hand. Her grip was firm, no-nonsense.
“I’m really sorry about any miscommunication,” I said. “I’m happy to talk to you if you change your mind.”
“It’s not my mind that would have to change.” Her gaze softened only slightly. “You might want to steer clear of Flatlanders though. Scott thinks you’re a spy.”
A spy? Shock heated the back of my neck. “I’m sorry.”
She waved me off. “I just don’t want trouble, and you’re clearly with the Baileys.”
“Just one Bailey,” Tenor said evenly.
“Of course.” Madison’s smile was saccharine sweet. “We all know Teller doesn’t stick with one woman for long.”
“Maybe it’s because Scooter will try to marry her,” he said without missing a beat.
Red infused Madison’s cheeks. “Both of them lost with that one.” She whisked herself away, heading to the back of the restaurant.
“I hate to say she’s right,” Tenor said.
“What was that about?”
