“Whocares? We don’t all need to have been to university to be special. Although I suppose it’s no wonder you wanted to sink your pale little fingers into Luke.” She rolls her eyes. “Anothercontinental.”
“Do you meanintercontinental?”
Her gaze sharpens to a knife edge. “Are you correcting me?”
“Well, not exactly. I—”
“Please. Do us all a favor. Book a one-way ticket back to Fez.” She flicks her hand as if she’s banishing me into my shell and then flounces off.
“Uh… Bye?”
I shake my head and wander around the aisles, plucking the rest of the ingredients I need off the shelves. My mind refuses to budge from the constant prickle of annoyance that is Kristen.
I know she hates me, but the venom in her voice about Luke is almost as vicious as when she talks about me. She doesn’t seem to appreciate travel. If Luke’s stories about his year running the pass in a restaurant in Northern Italy don’t excite her, what does? I snicker into my shoulder. Hispenis, obviously. I suppose itisbig enough to overlook some of his flaws.
I pay for my groceries and step out of the AC and into the dry heat of the afternoon.
Sawyer is waiting for me, slouched against the brick wall, tossing a brown paper package from hand to hand. Probably his famous steaks. He bragged on the way over that he’s going to grill the best meat I’ve ever tasted.
He pushes off the wall when he sees me. “What have you got in there?” He crooks his finger over the edge of the grocery bag to pry it open, but I tug it out of reach before he can peek inside.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I say. “It’s a surprise.”
“I’m lookin’ forward to this secretive signature dish you’re makin’.” He holds up the thick parcel of meat. “How does it pair with lamb?”
“Perfectly.”
He falls into step beside me. “Cain said to stop by his place in about an hour. Is that enough—”
A sudden collision knocks him sideways.
Kristen squeals. “O-oh…” Her hand shakes as she steadies it on Sawyer’s chest. The impact must have given her a fright. Her breaths are ragged. “S-sorry.”
“No harm done.” He sidesteps her. “Hey, Hosko—”
“You.” Kristen’s smile vanishes, and she narrows her eyes on me. “Again.”
Sawyer’s palm finds the hollow of my back, and he wedges his body closer. He’s my shield. “We’re gettin’ a few things sorted before headin’ to Cain’s for the cookout. You stoppin’ by?”
Kristen sticks her nose in the air. “Isshe?”
Sawyer’s palm on my back becomes a tentative stroke, just his finger, soothing down the middle of my spine. My pulse races as I glance up at him, and I wonder if he notices my shiver. Does he know he’s doing that? I want to arch my back like a cat and let him pet me all over with those big hands.
“Elsie’s invited just like everyone else helpin’ out with the festival.”
“That’ssogreat.”
“Stop by after six if you’re comin’.”
“Oh, I’ll be coming.” Kristen spins on her heel. “I can’t wait to taste the pilaf!” she calls over her shoulder as she marches off.
Sawyer looks down at me with wary eyes. “You’re makin’ a pilaf?”
I nod.
This confirmation does nothing to decrease his suspicion. “Does it have raisins in it?”
I hide the grocery bag behind my back. “Tell me why you’re asking before I answer.”
