Page 23 of That Rush

Chapter 3

Aiden

Two days after meeting Paige Whitaker, I’m using my lunch break to find out whether she’s seeing anyone.

This is a good use of my time.

Rowan stares at me across the counter at Pike’s Perk. “Why?”

“I’m curious.”

“About her relationship status?”

“About her.”

“That doesn’t clear anything up.”

Axel leans against the counter beside me and picks up the coffee Sadie left for him. He was supposed to help me load fencing supplies. He was supposed to help me load fencing supplies, not stick his nose into this conversation.

“Paige Whitaker?” he asks.

I look at him. “You know her?”

“No.”

“Then stay out of it.”

He grins before taking a drink. “I know she pissed you off at the library.”

“She didn’t piss me off.”

Rowan folds her arms. “Sadie said you came in yesterday complaining about a librarian who gave you attitude.”

“I said she was difficult.”

“You said she was bossy,” Axel says.

“She is bossy.”

“That must have been hard for you,” Rowan says.

I ignore both of them while she finishes my coffee. This plan had sounded smarter in my head. Virginia Dale is small enough that everyone knows who bought a new truck, who argued in the grocery store parking lot, and who left the brewery together. Finding out whether Paige is involved with anyone should have taken one question.

Instead, I’m getting judged by a woman I briefly considered dating and my brother, who has never willingly removed himself from anyone else’s business.

“I want to know if she’s like that with everyone,” I say.

Rowan slides my coffee across the counter. “Directly?”

“Like she expected me to listen.”

Axel coughs into his fist to hide a laugh.

I turn my head. “Do you want to walk back to the ranch?”

“You drove.”

“I’m aware.”