“Then what’re you going to do about that?”
I breathe out a small laugh. “Maybe you’ll find out.” I stand up straight, and start backing away from the fence. “But first you’re going to come to the shelter with me tomorrow.”
Her jaw drops, clearly caught off guard. When I brace for the argument I know is coming, she surprises me. Snapping it shut without a word.
“Enjoy your plans, Angel. I’ll see you in the morning.” I don’t miss her dumbfounded look as I bring Bruno inside and turn off the porch light.
CHAPTER 31
Bailey
I have no plans.When would I have plans?Whywould I have plans? I just wanted to see what he would do or say. Of course what he does is leave me questioning my sanityonce again.The weirdest part of it all is I end up texting Jenn letting her know I may not make it in tomorrow. She and Ava are both working so they won’t need me.
I may not have plans tonight, but I’ve gotten roped into going to the animal shelter with my neighbor in the morning. The man I’m still trying to convince myself I don’t like, even though the lie is getting harder and harder to swallow.
The next morning, Wes is at my door right at 8:00 a.m. I’d like to say he’s bright eyed and bushy tailed, but I don’t think he has ever been that in his life. I look down and see two coffees in his hand and immediately recognize the cups as coming from Roasted Bean.
“You went to my shop to get me coffee?”
He shakes his head. “No, these both are for me.”
“Makes sense.” I shrug right before he hands one of the cups to me with a tiny smile.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Sure.” I lock my front door and as we’re walking to his car I say, “You know, I think you just want me to keep riding in your car so I’ll stop complaining about it.”
“Is it working?”
“No.”
“Too bad.”
I get into his car, buckling and then holding onto my coffee for dear life because if I don’t, I worry I’ll end up touchinghim.I can’t help but think about the last time we were in this car together. Not only did we end up fucking, but I felt the warmth of his hand on my thigh, and I’m pretty sure we ended up holding hands.
The simple act feels more intimate than the sex ever did.
It’s like kissing. How we danced around it for so long that when our lips finally met, nothing else compared. All the build-up, all the tension, and yet it was that one lingering kiss that unraveled me.
Everything between us seems anything but simple. The back and forth, the chemistry. It’s all so complex and has my mind so jumbled all the time I can’t even keep up.
Wes gets in the car, and I busy myself with drinking the coffeehe brought so I don’t have to say anything. It’s not like he’s a big talker anyway, which works out for me. I also can’t think too much into how sweet it was that he brought me coffee, the exact order he knows I like. From my shop. Even though we could have easily swung by there, he chose to go get it himself.
The animal shelter isn’t far, and Wes has his music playing while the roar of his engine—I’ve always found annoying—is almost soothing now. Or maybe it’s the way the seat vibrates, and I squeeze my thighs together. He’s conditioning me to like this stupid car, I know it.
We arrive and I managed to finish my coffee on the short drive because every time I wanted to say something, I took a sip instead. Wes continues to stay quiet as he gets out of the car, and meets me on my side, putting his hand out to help me out just like last time.
Just like the last time, I take it. Instead of keeping our fingers interlocked as we walk, he lets go. The disappointment I feel should be studied because I have no explanation for it.
When we walk inside, there’s an older woman at the front desk and she smiles widely at the sight of us. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a positive greeting to Wes before. Or myself. I feel like I may have seen this woman around our small town before, but we’ve never officially met.
“Welcome back, Wes. You brought a friend.” She smiles, addressing me. “I’m Gloria.”
I take her outstretched hand in a firm handshake. “Bailey.”
“So nice to meet you. Wes is one of our best volunteers. The dogs all love him.”
“Bruno seems to be really happy living with him.” I give a close lipped smile.
