“Make you a deal,” she said. “You go get us some snacks, then you can hide out in here the rest of the night.”
“That sounds fair.”
“And I’ll drive you home later.”
“Deal,” I said.
Suzie watched this exchange with narrowing eyes. “I’m gonna go find Ford. Whatever this is I don’t want to be a part of it.”
“No snacks?” I asked.
“I’m good, doll. You two go crazy.” She was out of the car but bent and gave Gretchen one last look. “Whatever is up your sleeve … be careful.”
“Go find your man and come back later for the show,” the redhead responded.
Suzie shook her head and was gone.
I asked, “Anything in particular you’d like, madame? My treat for the lift, of course.”
“Such a gent. I think the Lodge is handing out popcorn to the kiddies. That sounds good,” she said.
With the windows down, the smell of popcorn and fried food wafted through the air. I got out of the car and stretched, observing the area. The crowd hummed with excited chatter and laughter. Children ran around chasing each other, screaming with glee. Something about small-town living made all of this seem charming without being kitschy.
Gretchen got out of the car too. Today she was dressed as a fifties pinup cowgirl. I had to admit, the lady had style. “I gotta go talk to some people. See ya in a few.” She pointed to the table set up a few yards away next to the black charter bus from the Lodge. “You’ll be wanting to head that way.”
She fluffed her red hair and sauntered away. Did she somehow know that my eyes searched the crowd for Roxy? It didn’t seem likely …
A small queue waited in front of the table. And then all at once, just like that night at the club, the crowd parted to reveal a path to my true north.
Standing behind the table, handing out bags of popcorn, there she was. Roxy.
MyRoxy.
I’d never felt instant possession like this. Not ownership of her, nothing close to that. She ownedme. She could bring me to my knees with the crook of one finger. It hadn’t all been in my head. Those feelings of destiny were as strong as the night we met.
She glanced up and looked around, as though someone had called her name. I tucked myself behind a truck to avoid being seen. I needed a minute to collect myself. I felt like I’d waited a lifetime for this moment. I had to play it just right. Like an accident? No. Best to be straightforward. We were destined to meet again. I was just expediting the universe’s machinations.
I peeked out to see her again. Take my fill. Her beauty was like a halo around her. How was it possible that the crowd had not stopped to just stare at her? Gone was her short skirt and leather jacket. Her body art was hidden under a business suit and her hair was up, fringe perfectly edged. Seeing her again inflamed the thousand thoughts I’d had on repeat since we parted. My fingers twitched at my sides, desperate to pull down the length of her hair as I brought her mouth to mine. I wanted to peel that suit off of her and kiss the sweet skin underneath.
But mostly I just wanted to talk to her more. I wanted to learn about her career at the Lodge. How she spent her days and who her friends were? I was desperate to know everything about every moment that led up to our paths crossing. I needed to understand the magic of the stars aligning.
Taking a deep breath in, I made my way to her table.
Chapter 8
Roxy
“We’re low on the artisanal nuts,” I said to Vincent.
I made a mental inventory of what snacks were left. We’d been working the event for over an hour, and the line had remained steady with about five to ten people at all times. My initial nerves started to settle as the crowds kept coming. This was the first event Vincent had watched me plan and host, so every detail had to be perfect. I hadn’t taken into account how much people loved free food and we were running low. It felt like most of Green Valley had shown up to have a relaxing evening under the summer night. This evening was an opportunity for the people of Green Valley to enjoy a fun night out all the while promoting the many activities at the Lodge.
So far, so good.
I’d even begun to relax around Vincent a little. He wasn’t exactly chatty but neither was I, so we worked side by side only talking when we needed to. And that was A-OK with me.
“People love their nuts,” Vincent said as he handed the last bag to a bearded hulk of a man.
I think it was Everett Monroe. Talk about a family with good genes. He took the bag, opened his mouth to say something, then thought better of it, walking away with a shake of his head. What’s in the water here? Between those Monroe brothers and the Winstons, Green Valley had more good-looking men per capita than any other city, I was sure of it. I’d have to bring that up at the next SWS meeting.
