“Do you need to go somewhere?” As he approaches, I straighten and swallow over the lump in my throat. He’s a good-looking guy. Charming and cocky. But the nervous energy that’s swirling between us, or at least around me, is more anxious than sexual. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.
He throws his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go get something to eat. You’re starving, or your stomach wouldn’t be rumbling so loud, and I’d love a tour of the town. So, what do you say?”
I slide out from under his arm. “I’d say, ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea’.”
He frowns and crosses his arms over his chest. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.”
“Fine.” This time, when he smiles, he knocks the cockiness out of his expression. “I promise to be on my best behavior.” He rests his backside against the island. “I see how you watch Jake, and I don’t poach my friend’s girls.” He winks, and in that split second, his shit-eating grin returns. “Well, maybe if they begged me, I would.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I roll my eyes. “But I don’t–”
“Stop.” He raises his hand. “Don’t lie to me. I have three sisters. I know who they like faster than they do. Call me a savant.”
“I’d call you full of shit rather than a savant.”
He laughs, taking the tension out of the room. “You’re right, I am. But seriously. I’ll buy food if you take me out and show me around town. My friends have left me, you’re hungry, and I don’t know anyone else here. Consider it a favor to me.”
“Fine.” I can’t help but chuckle as I shake my head. Why can’t I like someone like Spencer?
Do I take him seriously? No. But would he pay attention to me while he pursued me for the night? Yes. Yes, he would, and it would feel nice to be the center of his orbit. Even if it only lasted a few hours.
“I’ll take you to Jolie’s. It’s a local café, but you need to stay on your side of the booth and keep your hands to yourself. Otherwise, rumors will spread faster than we can sit down.”
“Scouts honor.” He makes the Boy Scout, three-finger, sign.
“Were you a scout?”
“Nope.” His eyes twinkle as he emphasizes the ‘p’ in nope. I’m going to regret this.
“Let me get my coat and purse.”
The second we step outside the door, Officer Nolan glances up from the rake in his hand and waves. “Hey, Em, who’s that with you?”
“It’s one of Jake’s friends from college.”
“Oh….” His scrutiny intensifies as he studies him from head to toe.
“We’re on our way to get something to eat.”
“I see.” His face implies that he doesn’t see anything.
Wonderful. The joys of being in a small town.
Fifteen Minutes Later
The tables are round, solid wooden structures with matching black chairs, and along the outer walls are booths. Some of the cushions show their white stuffing between cracked edges of black vinyl, while others are duct-taped to hide the wear and tear. But the best thing about the café is that it smells like hamburgers, fries, and pie.
I inhale. And chocolate cake. Real chocolate cake without that coconut crap on top. My gaze lands on the plates of desserts posted by the cash register. If you somehow avoid ordering dessert, you can’t get out the door without grabbing some for later. That’s how good the homemade cakes, cobblers, and pies are at Jolie’s.
“So, what’s good to eat here?” Spencer snatches a menu from the stack between the condiments and flops it open.
I sink into the cushions. “Really, about anything but my favorites are the–”
“What’re you doing?”
Jake’s voice cuts through the café like a siren. His blue eyes lock onto his friend, his hands curling into fists at his sides. In one hand, he’s strangling a white sack of takeout food.
