Aaaargh.
His eyes gleam. “It was a joke, Thea.”
And behind me, I hear Jolie laugh, and...argh.
Like, seriously.
How did I end up being a personal clown for these two?
"I told her I was concerned about your safety."
I find myself glancing over my shoulder at Jolie as he says this, and she blinks innocently at me like she’s saying it’s my fault for falling for her act earlier. She had acted all surprised andimpressed when I told her about him showing concern over my tires, and it was just so convincing!
I take a deep breath.Doesn’t matter either way,I tell myself. Whether he asked for my number or Jolie offered it first—none of it matters in the long run. I’m just going to take this one thing at a time, like I’ve learned to do with everything in my life.
“So...” I look back at him politely. “Do you want your usual today? Omelet and black coffee?”
“You remember.”
"It's my job to remember."
“Ah, of course. I stand corrected.”
And yet he says the words so silkily I can feel my cheeks heating up because I just know.
He’s on to me.
He’s always been on to me.
Hasn’t he?
I clear my throat. “So...the usual then?”
“Yes, Thea. The usual please. Thank you.”
His tone has changed again. This time, it’s low and velvety, and it has my heart racing so fast that I can only trust myself to nod before hurrying back to the kitchen.
Breathe, Thea. Breathe.
I put in his order. But...coward that I am, I ask one of my coworkers to take his order to his table, and I don’t look his waythe entire time. But I know the moment he leaves...just like he knows that I know.
JOLIE INSISTS ON MEETINGwith me that night at Good Tidings. It’s another one of those hidden spots in Jackson Hole that only locals know, and the thing I love the most about it is unapologetic choice of interior, with the owner’s obsession with all things nautical.
Jolie setsWuthering Heightson the small table between us before crossing her arms over her chest as she looks at me. “What was that this morning?”
“He said you offered my number out of the blue,” I blurt out.
“I did not!”
I can tell her indignation is real, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“He also told me he was joking,” I admit. “But I was worried.”
Jolie shakes her head. “I would never do that. I know where to draw the line, I promise.” Her expression turns questioning. “What else did you talk about?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
