“There you are,” I say, smirking.
Her fingers lift off the steering wheel, and she waves. I swear I can feel it in my cock.
My fingers itch to flip my signal and turn right to talk to her instead, because I’ve replayed our conversation continuously since I left Gray’s last night. Every grin, giggle, and batting of her lashes I can recall with precise detail. Her voice echoes through my brain like a fucking Siren’s call.
But women like her are gems.Unicorns. They’re beautiful and intelligent, usually from families who have silver spoons and trust funds, who want marriage, children, and a white picket fence with the type of man who loves golden retrievers.
And that is most certainly not me. I love cats.
Sweet Auddie Van is not the one-night-stand type of woman or fun fling material, and that’s all I’m good for right now. Guys like me break everyone’s heart before it’s over, so it’s best if I just stay away.
I return her wave and turn into the market instead.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Audrey
I can do this.
Chimes shaped like pizza toppings—a pepperoni, an olive, and a cute tiny mushroom—rattle against the glass door to Piper’s Pizza.
Notes of oregano perfume the air, and the sound of a midday soap opera rings out through the restaurant as I step inside. The building is small with a one-room dining area holding seven booths, eleven tables, and five barstools at a counter. A large display case, which takes up premium real estate next to the bar, is chock-full of homemade pies and a chocolate cake so delicious I consider ordering dessert and nothing else.
“Welcome to Piper’s,” a middle-aged woman wearing a black waist apron with the word “Piper’s” written in sparkly gold paint says with a bright smile. “Have a seat wherever you’d like.”
“Thanks.”
I clutch my wallet and survey the room for the perfect spot to have the very first solo lunch in public in my life. I prefer a table by the windows so I can take in the adorable small town, but my nerves demand I choose a booth in the corner. The farther awayI am from people, the less likely they are to see me, and that’s one less reason to be self-conscious.
When Hartley suggested Piper’s this morning as a good lunch spot in town, I worried that it would be packed. After all, he informed me, Sugar Creek has only two eateries—Piper’s and Patsy’s. He promised that they’re both dead between the hours of two and four, and if I timed my arrival perfectly, I might not see a single soul except for the waitstaff.
I settle into the corner booth, avoiding eye contact with the farmers holding court at the round table in the center of the room. Their conversation is loud and their laughter raucous in the best way. It reminds me of sitting with Astrid and Gianna in Stupey’s, our favorite Nashville restaurant, when they’re two drinks in.
I take a deep breath, blowing it out slowly.Everything is going fine. Just relax.
“Hey, hon.” The woman from the counter approaches me with an extended hand. A menu dangles from her long, thin fingers. “I’m Lisa. Haven’t seen you around here before.”
I take the menu and clear my throat. “I’ve never been here before. Just visiting for a while, and a friend recommended this place for lunch.”
She smiles. “A friend, huh?”
“Hartley Adler. He owns the Blackbird Ranch just outside of town.”
Her immediate laughter earns a comment from one of the men at the round table. She rolls her eyes, motioning at him to hush, but keeps her attention on me.
“Hartley?” she asks, grinning. “He was in here this morning for his usual sausage, egg, and cheese.” She leans forward with a curious look in her eye. “How do you know him?”
“I’m a friend of his brother’s girlfriend, if that makes sense.”
“Are you talking about Astrid?”
I laugh. “Yeah, I’m talking about Astrid. You know her?”
“Girl, everyone in Sugar Creek knows her—and if you’re a friend of Astrid’s, you’re a friend of mine,” she says, taking out her pad and pen. “Now, back to business because I have a bunch of salad dressings to refill before I can clock out in an hour. And I can’t get out of here late because I have a hot date tonight.”
“Oh,” I say, smiling. “Please, don’t let me keep you. Let’s hurry this along.”
