“Why do you think that is?” He turned his seat so he was facing me without cricking his neck.
“Not sure. Maybe because now it’s like it was never there.”
“I can see that. Well, you’re more than welcome to stay here, with or without gossip.”
“Thanks. It’s been really hard to meet people in a small town. I appreciate you.”
“Yeah, we’re kind of like that here. It’s easy to have people to say hello to, but that’s about it, especially when most of the people in your demographic are already married with kids.”
He wasn’t helping me feel better about the possibility of friendships, but that was all right. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was less about that and more about connection. I was building those here.
“So, rumor has it, you’re dating Lux.”
I turned around to see Geoff in the doorway.
“How long have you been waiting there to ask me that?” I swore he was a freaking cat the way he moved. I never heard him coming. He needed a bell.
“Awhile.” He chuckled. “But I was busy eavesdropping. You know how it is. Tell me everything.”
“There’s no way I’m telling you everything.” I wasn’t sure I understood everything. It was all so new and intense. But also, nothing had ever felt so right as being with him.
“Then tell me something.” Now, Geoff was begging. Adorable.
“Anything?”
He nodded.
“Fine He’s really nice.”
“Agreed,” Geoff said. “Always has been. It’s why he’s so good at his job.”
Bennett added. “And that ass…delicious.”
I did not need to hear Bennett talking about my mate’s ass. I. Did. Not.
“Could we move past that? Maybe talk about, I don’t know, the speed at which paint dries? Or something just as personal.”
He cracked up. “I never know what you’re gonna say.”
I thought I was a pretty predictable person, but apparently not so much, at least not around here.
“Expecting a check-in?” Geoff asked.
“No, not today, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get a walk-in. So maybe. Why? Do you need to shut off the electricity to some of the rooms?”
“Nah, there’s just a sound in the driveway of someone pulling in.”
My first thought was that it was Lux—that he’d gotten off early and come to see me. Not because he gave any indication that was possible but because I wanted him to. Then, in walked a man I didn’t recognize.
“Delivery.”
Great. It was a delivery. Just what I wanted. Only the wrong guy.
“Is it for the motel?” Bennett asked.
“Nah, it’s forRain, but it doesn’t have the unit number.”
“I’m Rain.”
