Page 14 of Big Bad Wolf

“You think that getting into a vehicle with a man I barely know is somehow a better idea than me walking home?”

Rafe seemed to consider that. He looked like he agreed with her but also like he wanted to demand she get into the truck anyway.

Ruby kept walking.

He pulled the truck slowly along beside her.

“So, you’re just going to what? Follow me home now?”

More jaw clenching, brow furrowing, and muttering to himself followed that question.

Ruby bit down on a smile. She was finding she really liked fucking with this guy.

“Is it even safe for you to be driving?” she asked. “How many beers did you have tonight, Rafe?”

He flinched at the sound of his name from her mouth.

“Wore off by now,” he said. “Been sitting at that bar for hours.”

She shrugged.

“Maybe if you come sit at that bar more often, I’ll get to know you better.” She stopped walking and the truck stopped too. Rafe leaned over like he was trying to hear her better.

“And then I’ll let you drive me home.”

He blinked.

She turned down Mckinley with a wave over her shoulder.

“Goodnight, Rafe!” she called.

He didn’t follow.

Rafe showed up the next five nights to sit at the bar and eat dinner.

He didn’t offer Ruby a ride.

But he did watch her a lot.

She could feel his eyes on her all night.

She didn’t hate it.

“So, this Rafe character says he’s from up by Allagash River, there,” Sal said, leaning over the bar like it was a secret.

“Okay,” Ruby said, continuing to cut limes. It was a quiet night.

“It’s strange though. I’ve never heard of his family. The Channings.”

“Well, Sal, it’s possible that you don’t know every single person that lives in the state of Maine.”

Sal’s brow furrowed like that wasn’t an option he had considered.

“I like him,” he went on. “I just don’t know if I trust him.”

“Wow. Okay, well, I’ll be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”

“Good idea.” Sal nodded, pleased with himself for passing on this information to Ruby, like she needed Sal to tell her that there was something odd about Rafe.