He gently tugs me out of the way and shuts his door, underscoring the end of this discussion.
“I remembered your truck being bigger,” I say, resigned to my fate.
His brows knit together. “It’s not the same truck.”
Before I can process that information, Dev calls, “You guys coming?”
Sawyer calls back, “Coming,” and puts his hand on the small of my back to guide me back to the sidewalk.
There’s no way I come out of this with my dignity intact.
CHAPTER 14
SAWYER
I am so fucking stupid.
That night at the bar, I caught myself just in time. And since then, I’ve maintained my distance, kept a professional tone. Filtered all Brie-related thoughts.
Now, though? I’ve lost my fucking mind to her. Whatever remaining brain cells I have do the polka to the tune of Brie’s breathing.
What have I done? I don’t even know what this is. A double date?
Yeah, right.
But seeing Brie out on the town, dressed likethat, hit me like a sledgehammer. I lost all sense of reason. I mean, what was I doing, cupping her chin like that? Touching her like she’s mine?
I pinch the bridge of my nose because, even as I mentally kick my own ass, I know I’d do it all over again if given the chance.
The look on her face when she saw Dev walk up with another girl nearly gutted me, a feat considering I was already flayed when Brie told me she wasgoing on a date.
I can’t say I’m upset she isn’t going out with Certified Nice Guy Dev Shah right now, but I never want to see that mix of mortification and devastation on her face again. I saw enough of it when we were kids.
At least this time it wasn’t my fault.
Speaking of Dev, what kind of idiotdoesn’tdate Brie when given the chance? His fucking loss.
Not your fucking gain, I remind myself, and I deserve the pain that comes with knowing that.
As we cross the street and head toward Angelica’s on the corner, we split into twos, but not the way I want. Harvest and I walk ahead while Dev and Brie trail behind. I nod as Harvest tells me this is her first time visiting Blue Ridge, and focus instead on the conversation behind me.
Dev murmurs, “Barely a month working under him and you’re dry humping downtown?”
I stifle a chuckle, picturing Brie’s bared teeth and narrowed eyes.
Brie shushes him and speaks too low for me to hear. My brain fills in all the contemptible things she’s within her rights to say about me.
Truth be told, being here right now against her wishes proves I’m still an ass. But I left her humiliated and upset too many times in the past. I couldn’t do it again.
Inside the restaurant, Mrs. Muzzarelli comes out from around the bar saying, “Oh my goodness gracious! Brie Casey, I heard you were back in town.”
Brie leans awkwardly into the hug, looking a little shell shocked, almost as if she’s surprised Mrs. Muzzarelli remembers her. Everyone remembers everyone in this town. Doesn’t she know that?
“Good to see you all here.” Mrs. Muzzarelli offers me ateasing wink as she adds, “Especially the Prince of Blue Ridge himself.”
I stifle a groan. Most people haven’t called me that since I started teaching and it was clear I’ll never follow in Dad’s footsteps. Still, Mrs. Muzzarelli is a good woman and means well.
Kissing her cheek, I say, “It’s good to be here.”
