“I hope you talk about oil and grease, there, mister.”
“What else would I be talking about?”
She glances up at me, and our eyes connect with a knowing intensity. She’s grown up in a law enforcement household; she’s no stranger to the whispers and rumors about our club. She probably knows more than the majority of Temperance does about what we’ve managed to keep out of the media spotlight over the years.
“So,” I say with a gentle clap of my hands. “What made you come back, Kyra?” I offer her a smile that assures her we aren’t here to talk the dirty stuff about our history.At least, not yet.“You were one of the few who managed to escape the clutches of this town. Why return?”
“Mom’s sick.”
The easy smile melts off my face. “Shit. I’m sorry.” I figured it would take a while to get her to open up about the inner workings of Sheriff Green’s home, but she cut straight to the chase and fucking made an asshole out of me in the process.
“It’s okay. There’s no official diagnosis, so it’s not as though I can say ‘oh, she has this or that’. She’s just…” Her face contorts as she searches for the right words. “She’s not herself anymore. Like, if you took a photo of her five years ago and placed it beside one from today, you’d think they’re related but not the same person.”
“Sounds hard.”
“It is when she refuses to acknowledge it properly.” A heavy exhale passes her lips. “Anyway. You didn’t invite me out to hear all about the troublesome things in my life, so how about you?” She glances up at me as we walk. “Why did you stay?”
Fuck her.I didnotexpect to be rendered speechless this early on. She’s gone and flipped the table on me with effortless ignorance of the game at hand. How the hell do I reply to a question I can’t answer myself? “It seemed easier.”
“And was it?” She studies me as we slow to a stop outside the cafe.
I turn to face her, yet stare over her head as I talk. “Ironically, it gets easier the longer I’m here.”
Her gaze tracks mine toward the townsfolk who openly stare at us from across the street. “But, you’ve never been anywhere else to have anything to compare it to?” Kyra words the question carefully, peering up at me from beneath her brow.
“No. I haven’t.” I grab the handle of the door and pull it open before she can continue the current line of questioning. “After you.”
“Thank you, fine sir.” Kyra walks ahead, providing me with a clear view of just how well her pants fit her ass despite how loose the legs hang. It’s like the straight fall of fabric was designed to accentuate the curve of her lower back into the round swell of her butt.Fuck.
“Do you want to grab a table or order first?” She spins on the spot to survey the modest establishment.
I tip my head left and lead her toward where the guys always sit.
Sure enough, Theresa isn’t far behind.
“Kyra Green,” she singsongs. “I’d heard you were back. How come I haven’t seen you until now? And what are you doing letting this ruffian keep your company?”
Marty’s daughter spreads a well-practiced smile as she takes a seat at the round table to my left. “Well, I haven’t been hiding. I came in last week, but you were occupied out back. A lovely lady I didn’t recognize served me.”
“Vanessa.” Theresa tuts. “You could have told her to call me up, and I would have come right out to see you. How have you been?”
“Aw, you know. Busy settling in again.” Her smile falters. “I didn’t think it was worth disturbing you over, what with how popular this place is. Dad tells me you’re a cornerstone in the town, now.”
I lean back in my seat, one elbow slung over the back. I’m seriously impressed by how quickly Kyra managed to swing that awkward conversation starter into a glowing compliment that has stone-faced Theresa blushing and caught off guard.
“That’s awfully kind of him to say.” The older woman fusses with the rings of her notepad in the small pocket of her apron. “Your dad didn’t say much about what you’ve been doing after you left for college, though. You back to lend us your expertise?” Theresa’s tone suggests she fishes for exactly what Kyra’s done over the past few years.
It doesn’t go unnoticed with the Sheriff’s daughter. “Looking for a change, actually.” Her careful smile turns fullStepfordWifeas she tilts her head a little.
Theresa bristles, taking a half-step back. “Oh. Well, that must be nice. What with your family close by.”
“Sure.” Kyra picks up the menu card and drops her head to study it with more intensity than needed.
I catch Theresa’s eye and lift an eyebrow. “Coffee to start?”
“Of course.” The ex-club bunny’s gaze flickers over my companion again before drawing stone hard when it settles on me. “Usual?”
“For me. Kyra can have hers however she takes it.”
