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Leaning back against the counter, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Hey, I was a good kid.”
Disbelief filled her chuckle. “You, Ryder, and Cody were nothing but a handful. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
Growing up with my cousin, Ryder, and his best friend, Cody, had been a blast. We were always out running amok, riding our bikes and exploring. Forever covered in dirt and up to all kinds of adolescent shenanigans, even though they were always in good fun and never meant to hurt anyone.
Ryder had run into a rough patch, though, and had lost his way for a bit, but at the root of it, he’d known where he belonged. Had known we would always be here for him, no matter what he was dealing with.
“We weren’t so bad.” The chuckle that came out with it sounded like I was feeding her line.
“That laugh right there should tell you everything you need to know. Now, go get washed up, dinner is about ready.”
I didn’t call her out on treating me like I was twelve instead of thirty-one since I was too busy glancing at the clock.
Anticipation and uncertainty rolled.
Five forty-five.
My chest tightened, and my thoughts were instantly back on the woman who I had no business letting infiltrate my mind. But she’d been there all day, slipping over me and threatening to sink in.
Savannah Ward.
I couldn’t help but wonder how she’d fared at the café. Wonder what Dakota had thought about her. If she’d had reservations or if she’d hired her on the spot.
Only those thoughts had kept straying farther, deviating into territory they shouldn’t. Wondering who she was. Why she was here. What that hint of darkness that had flared in her aqua eyes had been about. Why it seemed like she was always at the ready to pull out her claws and fight, all while doing it with a smart, sassy mouth.
If I’d kept those thoughts barricaded there, that would have been all good. On the up and up.
But I’d be a liar if I denied it’d gone farther.
Deeper.
Unable to stop myself from imagining what that mouth would feel like on me. What it would be like to touch her. Take her. Fuck her.
If she felt the churn in the air when we came near or if that shiver of lust was all on me.
In discomfort, I cleared my throat. “I actually have a favor to ask.”
Mom picked up the casserole dish and placed it on the table. Her eyes that were the same color as mine sparked in curiosity. “What’s that?”
“I might have someone interested in renting the guest house. I have an appointment with them at six. If you wouldn’t mind staying with the kids while we meet?”
No doubt, she’d caught the wobble in my voice, the way her brows tugged inward a fraction. “Of course, I don’t mind. That would be great if you found a reliable renter.”
Only her voice didn’t match, like she’d tapped into my uncertainty.
Because I had no idea what I was doing, or more importantly why. The only thing I knew was beyond the attraction, beyond the need that sparked at the sight of her, I couldn’t stomach the idea of Savannah not having a safe place to stay.
There was something about her that twisted deep.
Drew me in.
This woman there was no way I could allow myself to have, but one I somehow couldn’t let go.
SEVEN
SAVANNAH
“Goodnight, see you in the morning!” Dakota called it from where she was sitting at her desk typing something on her computer.
Slinging the strap of my purse over my shoulder, I slowed so I could pop my head through her doorway. “Thank you again for everything.”
“Um, are you thanking me? I asked you this morning if you were here to save my life—and life saved.” Lifting her hands in praise, she smiled her kind smile, the woman so adorable that I had the stupid urge to round her desk and hug the crap out of her.
An impulse that was highly dangerous since I knew better than getting close to anyone.
It was really hard hanging onto it when she was basically the nicest person I’d ever met, like Ezra had promised she would be, and if I trusted my gut at all, it would have told me that it wasn’t a façade she wore. But I’d met plenty of people who’d seemed nice at the beginning before their own selfishness and greed exposed their true colors.
I just needed to be careful, guard myself, but also get close enough that it might help me in the end.
Working at a busy café was pretty much the best scenario. It would give me the opportunity to watch. To overhear. To maybe get lucky enough to pick up a trace of Jessica. Someone who had known her or met her or maybe just recognized her face. Someone who could confirm that she had been here. That she still was.
