“If anything else breaks—door, window, lock—call us,” he said. “We’re across the street.”
“Right,” I said. “Across the street.”
“And Nora?” he added.
I looked up.
His voice dipped lower. “You don’t owe anybody anything. Not Riley. Not the ladies. Not us. Don’t let them push you.”
A warmth bloomed low in my chest.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He nodded once and headed for the door.
Before he stepped outside, he paused and added, “Stop avoiding looking at me like I’m dangerous.”
I choked. “I—I wasn’t—!”
“You were,” he murmured. “But just so you know… I see you.”
Then he walked out, calm and controlled, like he hadn’t just set off fireworks under my skin.
The Magnolia Ladies materialized instantly.
Agnes fanned herself. “Nora Bennett. Tell the truth. Are you breathing?”
“No,” I said. “I don’t think I am.”
Riley waltzed back in. “So. When’s the first date?”
“Everyone get out,” I begged.
They did not.
And somewhere across the street, Wolf Maddox paused on the tavern steps—
And looked back.
At me.
7
Wolf
Iwasn’t avoiding the truth anymore.
Not after today.
Not after the way Nora looked at me when I fixed that damn door.
Not after she whispered “okay” like it cost her something.
Not after I walked out of her library feeling as if someone had reached into my chest and turned on a light that hadn’t worked in years.
I liked her.
Hell, maybe I more than liked her.
