She glanced up at the bar and the beat-up sign.Not even close.
“No, um—” Addison drove her hand through her hair, twisting her lips.Say it.Rip off the band-aid and accept the outcome. She wouldn’t pressure Cleo in any way. “I’m actually here.”
Addison sucked in a breath, waiting. The line was completely silent.
“Here? I’m sorry, where’s that?”
It was now or never.
“I came to see you.”
More silence. Oh, this was bad. She should’ve listened to her sister.Dammit, I hate when she’s right!
“Like I said, it was a spur of the moment decision. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” But that’s exactly what she’d done, and Hannah had warned her about it. She white-knuckled the steering wheel.Fuck!“I’m sorry, I should’ve told you I was coming.”I should’ve asked.
“W-wait, I’m sorry, I d-don’t understand.” There was a small stretch of silence. “You came to see me? You’re in Killcreek?”
“Actually Birch. It’s about…”
“I know where it is,” Cleo blurted. “What’s your address? I can be there in less than thirty minutes.”
What? There was zero hesitation from Cleo. Addison cocked her brow, giving in to her smile. Any concerns about whether Cleo wanted to see her were officially quashed. All that stress for nothing. Cleo wanted to see her too. But…
“If you want to take some time and…”
“Time for what?”
“Well, I’m kind of springing this on you without notice. Just showing up is,” Selfish!Shut up.Addison cleared her throat. “Maybe you want to take a day to think about meeting up. Make sure you’re comfortable with it.”
Addison had barely finished talking when Cleo chimed in. “I’m comfortable. What’s your address?”
Addison clamped her lips, keeping her chuckle at bay. Cleo was more than willing, and by the sound of it, eager to get together.But I need a little more time.
“It’s late, and I just got in.” Addison was stalling. She needed time to prep. “I was thinking we could meet up tomorrow, if you’re available.”
“I’m available!” she blurted. “I get up early, so you tell me when. Oh, do you want to come to my house? I can make us breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or all three.”
Addison snickered. “How about lunch?”
“Yeah, that’s great.” Cleo gave her the address.
“I can’t wait to finally meet you in person.” She paused then whispered. “I can’t believe you’re here to see me.”
It was surreal.
Addison ended the call and sat in her car for another few minutes, processing everything. It couldn’t have gone better. This was shaping up to be the best vacation ever.
****
By the time Cross had gathered his things from the table and headed out to the bar with Cue, she was gone. Her plate and empty beer mug were still on the bar where she’d been sitting, but there was no sight of her. He was halfway across the room on his way to the door when he changed direction and headed to the bar. Cross was putting in more effort for a woman than usual. And it hadn’t gone unnoticed. Cue stopped near the door, waiting on him.
“Barry?” Cross tapped on the counter, gaining his attention.
“Beer?”
“No. The blonde.” He pointed to the end of the bar. “Where’d she go?”
Cross assumed she’d left, but it was possible she’d stepped away, maybe gone outside for a cigarette. He and the club regularly violated that rule about smoking inside.It doesn’t apply to us.Most didn’t. But there were signs everywhere prohibiting it.
