He let out a slow, deliberate breath, as if weighing his next words. For a moment, I saw something flicker in his expression—regret, maybe, or something closer to vulnerability—but it vanished before I could name it. Instead, he straightened, steeling himself against any softness. His voice dropped. “You know it makes things harder.”
“For who? You?” I held his gaze, refusing to let him see how his words unsettled me. There was a tension between us now, taut and barely hidden, a familiar ache that always seemed to resurface whenever old wounds were pressed. Still, I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction of seeing me falter.
“For both of us,” he snapped. “The more attention we all get, the more people are going to start wondering what really happened between us.”
“Nothing ‘really happened,’ Graham. I’m not talking about it, isn’t that the point?”
“You think being seen with Nate makes you look like the innocent party?” He hesitated, his jaw tight, before continuing. “You know how this town gets when rumors start. Doesn't matter what the truth is—people will twist it until it fits whatever story they want to tell.”
My fingers curled against the window ledge, but I kept my tone even. “Then let them talk. I'm not living my life for anyone’s approval anymore. And, don’t forget, I don’t have to pretend to be anything other than who I am. I am the innocent party.”
“You’re being irrational.”
I laughed, short and sharp. “There it is. The old hits.”
Graham ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair. “You need to think long term. The more noise there is around you, the more people are going to talk. You really want that kind of heat? On you? On Nate? I have things I can say too, if I choose.”
My stomach twisted. And I hated that it did.
“There was an inspection at the Pennywhistle,” I said, testing the words. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
He blinked, expression carefully neutral. “Why would I?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you saw a chance to rattle some nerves. Throw a wrench in things.”
“They inspected me, too. It was routine.” He gave a soft, humorless laugh. “Besides, the place is ancient, Eliza. Do you really think I’d need to do anything to make it fail an inspection?”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“I didn’t report anything, if that’s what you’re asking,” he said. “But if I had? It wouldn’t be sabotage. It would be a concern.”
I stared at him. “Concern for who?”
He smiled like he was doing me a favor. “You should really think about dropping out,” he said finally. “If not for me, then for your own peace of mind. This whole thing’s a distraction you don’t need.”
I clenched my jaw. “And what if I don’t drop out?”
His expression chilled. “Then don’t be surprised if people keep talking.”
I let a small, cold smile spread across my face. “A big-city chef needing to manipulate and threaten the competition to win a small-town Taste-off… that’s really sad, Graham.”
He blinked, clearly not expecting that.
I felt a spark of satisfaction at seeing him flinch, but underneath it, my stomach twisted. He’s going to hate that I juststood up to him and whatever gossip he spread could hurt Nate. Why the hell didn’t I just keep my mouth shut?
I lifted my chin, keeping my voice calm and controlled. “You came back expecting to find me lonely and miserable, pining for you. That’s not happening.”
He opened his mouth, but I didn’t let him speak I could see it in the tight line of his jaw, the way his hands twitched, that this was all he had. I may have stood up to him, but I was still shaken, and I hated that he still had the power to make me feel this way.
He held my gaze for one more beat, then turned and walked off like he hadn’t just lit a match and tossed it into dry grass.
I slammed the window shut behind him.
I braced my hands on the counter, heart pounding.
So much for a quiet morning.
The bell above the drive-thru window jingled, and I turned on instinct, forcing my expression into something neutral as I greeted the customer.
