“Exactly!” I say too fast. “Braids, sausage, lederhosen… pure gold.”
She tilts her head, pretending to think. “You know, that’s actuallynot half bad.” She reaches for her water, looking more serious than I expected the conversation to turn. “Quinn was just asking if Sycamore Mountain had any festivals to bring in more tourists. She’s Jason’s wife. She’s always traveling on business because she owns her own PR firm and there hasn’t been much for her to work on in Sycamore Mountain. But we were chatting the other night over drinks. Okay, water.” She laughs. “Adding some fairs and events might bring in more tourism, boost business, and maybe even keep her home more often.”
I beam, crossing my arms smugly. “Wow. I’m really smart.”
Ellie snickers and pulls me in for another side hug. “Yes, yes you are.”
For a few blissful seconds, I let myself relax. The cozy restaurant feels warm, and the mountains outside framing the perimeter of Sycamore create a bit of a fortress. For the first time in months, I feel safe.
Until I don’t.
A flicker of movement outside catches my eye. It’s just a shadow. But it’s enough to make my heart trip over itself. I blink, look again. Nothing.
Probably just a deer. Or a customer.
“Everything okay?” Ellie asks, noticing my sudden stillness.
“Yeah,” I say quickly, forcing a smile. “Just thought I saw something.”
She shrugs and goes back to working behind the bar.
It’s fine, I tell myself. You’re safe. You’re here. No one followed you.Still, my eyes stray to the window again.
Dave
I can’t help overhearingtheir conversation. Is she really planning to stay here without a definitive end date? I’m afraid to get too excitedafter the last time we were together. Hell, she practically dismissed me.
Dreading the answer almost before the question has left my lips, I decide to walk over to where she’s seated at the bar, and go all in. “How long are you here?”
“Don’t know.” Her voice is timid, jumpy. Not at all like the confident, carefree ball buster from the wedding. The one who had me forgetting my own damn name for a night.
“Sit, sit, you guys.” Ellie gestures toward the table, beaming. “Let’s celebrate my sweet friend surprising me with a nice dinner.”
“Uh, why doesn’t someone cook for you, babe?” Matt asks, rubbing lazy circles over her belly with his tattooed hand stretched wide before bending to kiss her baby bump.
Ellie grins. “Not sure if you caught it yet, butI’mthe chef.”
“I’m just saying, you don’t need to make a habit of cooking for your own celebrations.” He presses, gentle but insistent. “We need to branch out. Maybe hire someone who can help. These babies aren’t going to take care of themselves.”
Ellie gives him a scornful glare. The kind that saysyou’re treading dangerous territory.Matt’s arms fly up immediately. “Don’t give me that look. I can’t wait to be a hands-on dad. But when I’m at the station, someone’s got to be here. Bringing another chef on now who can give you more flexibility might not be a bad idea.”
“I know you’re right.” Ellie taps her nail against her lip. “I mean, Char must’ve branched out,” she says finally. “Hired some managerial staff to run her salon so she could spend time here.”
My eyes dart to Char fast enough to catch the small flinch of her forehead. So, she hasn’t hired anyone. Did she just close down her business? For how long?
Not your monkeys, not your circus, Dave.
This girl’s made it clear you were a one-and-done. Just sit down, eat Ellie’s killer food, and move on with your life. Maybe try dating someone in the next town over. There has to be a woman under the age of sixty there.
Ellie brings out pork chops, homemade applesauce, green beans, and those biscuits that should be illegal.
“Babe, you got any meatloaf? Dave was craving some.” Matt’s pleading tone nearly cracks me up. Thank god for the distraction, because the real reason I was craving meatloaf had nothing to do with dinner.
“Don’t listen to him. These look amazing, Ellie,” I chide.
Char doesn’t say much. None of the spark she had before remains. Her smiles are forced, almost brittle. But she can’t be irritated I’m here. Hell,I livehere.
Matt comes up behind her at one point, drops a friendly hand on her shoulder, and she startles. It’s not a casual flinch. Not ayou scared mekind of reaction. Every muscle in her body locks tight, her face draining of color like someone pulled the plug.
