She shook her head and looked away, giving them a moment to catch up. What waswrongwith her? Just because Stone liked guys and Byron liked guys did not mean they’d ever liked each other. For one, Byron washerage.
Oh, wait.Shewas also her age and that hadn’t stopped Stone from being with her. Or Nico, who was only a year older.
“Do you know Stevie Shepherd?” Byron said from behind her.
“I do, yes.” Stone’s voice was warm and friendly. “Was hopin’ to run into you again.”
“How do you two know each other?” she asked, realizing as soon as the words were out that it didn’t sound casual.
Byron’s grin was wide. “We had a thing back in high school.”
Stevie’s eyebrows lifted. “A thing?”
For fuck’s sake, stop talking.But for some stupid reason, she couldn’t help herself.
“You know I don’t kiss and tell,” Stone said in that seductive baritone.
Damn him for being so freaking sexy.
“Anyway.” Byron laughed. “You in town for a while?”
“Back for good,” Stone told him.
“Maybe we can grab a beer and catch up.”
“I’d like that.”
She cleared her throat, waiting for Byron to acknowledge her. “I’m gonna go with the radiant heat for now. If and when I ever build the greenhouse I want, I’ll go with solar.”
Byron nodded. “I’ll grab the heaters and bring ‘em to the front.”
“Thanks.” When Byron walked away, she glared at Stone. “Are youstalkin’me?”
“Oh, hey,” Byron called out, turning around. “I pulled what your mom’s lookin’ for. It’s ready when you are.”
That wicked smirk slowly pulled at the side of Stone’s mouth. “Thanks, man.”
When Stone pivoted back around to face her, Stevie realized it was too late to make a quick escape. Her face was hot, her embarrassment impossible to ignore. She’d accused him ofstalkingher. Ego, much? Geez.
“Buyin’ stuff for work?” Stone asked, nodding toward Byron’s retreating back.
Taking a deep breath, she blew it out slowly and resigned herself to this conversation.
“A little of both. Personal and work,” she admitted. “I grow a variety of flowers and plants that we use in Nico’s designs. Plus, I’ve been growin’ some root vegetables and leafy greens. They’re all temperamental, so this weather’s not helpin’ matters. I lost everything last year.”
Realizing she was rambling, she stopped and forced another smile.
“Is that what you enjoy doin’? Growin’ thing?”
She met his gaze. “I enjoy doin’ lots of things.”
Stone held up his hands in front of him. “Didn’t mean to offend.”
And she hadn’t meant to be defensive, but he brought that out in her.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, meeting his gaze. “Stressful day.”
“Understood.”
