Page 5

Chapter Two

“Hey, there.” Leah plopped down across from Tori at Cuppa Joe, the coffee shop down the street from her restaurant. “I hear you got flowers.”

Sometimes Tori wondered what it would be like to live in a bigger town where everyone didn’t know her business.

“Yep. If it wasn’t for the fact they are pretty, I would behead them and send the stems back to the dumbass.”

The coffee shop owner, Mindy, neared and refilled Tori’s coffee cup. “I love yellow flowers. I haven’t gotten flowers in a long time.” She sighed and went to the next table.

“You do realize nothing will ever happen between Tobias Hamilton and me, don’t you?” Tori tapped her fingernail on the tabletop for emphasis. “He’s engaged to be married and if I’m lucky, that squeaky-voice Mimi will convince him to move to Billings.”

Leah narrowed her eyes, and tossed her always-perfect hair. “I hate to think of it. So I prefer to remain in denial. You two are meant to be. Everyone knows it except for you…and Tobias.”

“Explain to me why? We don’t get along. I broke his heart when I ended things just as he went to a war zone. Everyone should hate me for that.”

“It’s been many years. We’ve forgiven you.”

“Oh. My. God.” Tori stood up and picked up her toasted bagel. She really hated leaving the coffee, but if anyone else brought up the damned flowers, she was going to scream.

“Hey, Sugar. You don’t have to leave because of me.” Of course, the timing as usual was horrible. Tori swung to face Tobias.

“Why the hell are you always in town? Don’t you have a ranch to run? Your cows must be starving and your dumb horses are probably standing knee deep in shit.”

When he opened his mouth to talk, she stuffed the half-eaten bagel into his mouth. With a huff, Tori rounded him and left the coffee shop.

It was too early to go to the restaurant. Since it was Monday, they only opened for dinner. She could always work on accounts or organize the pantry. However, she’d promised herself a day off. The plan was to spend time at the coffee shop and catch up on social media, and then she planned to go to the shelter and see about adopting a small dog. Since her own dog had died, she missed having the companionship of a pet to keep company with in the evenings.

“Shit,” she grunted, realizing she’d left her laptop on the table in the coffee shop. She turned to see Leah and Tobias standing on the sidewalk talking. He held the laptop under his arm and a coffee cup in the other hand.

She neared, making sure to keep her eyes averted. It was best not to look Hamiltons straight in the eyes. They had some strange kind of pull that made stomachs flip and hearts race.

“What?” He turned.

“My laptop,” Tori replied, looking at Leah, who seemed to be fighting the urge to laugh.

Tobias blew out a breath. “Good thing you’re back. Thanks for the bagel. I need to talk to you.”

Her heart stopped and she couldn’t breathe. It was time to get away from him pronto. “About what?”

“Come back inside. Finish your coffee.”

Leah turned to look across the street. “I’m going to see if Allison has a blouse I can borrow.” She practically sprinted away. The Traitor.

Since he still had her laptop hostage, Tori had not choice but to follow him back inside.

Tobias wasn’t sureexactly why he’d not just called instead of speaking to her in person. The subject was probably going to set her off. Hopefully, the fact they were in public would help. Hell, who was he kidding? They always fought in public.

In actuality, he needed to keep away from her. Just looking into her deep brown eyes made him want to drag her to the closest bed, get lost in her and not come up for air until they were both sated. She was the one who’d broken his heart and thanks to Tori Romano, he’d never trust a woman as long as he lived.

“I ah…I need the ring back.” He spoke as soon as she sat down. Her eyes widened and then narrowed.

“What ring?”

He leaned forward so that he could speak in a low tone. “You know what fucking ring. Don’t give me crap about it, Tori. Just give it back.”

Her lips pressed into a tight light and the little pert nose flattened when her nostrils flared. “I have no flippin’ idea what the hell you’re talking about. Give me my damned computer and get out of my face Hamilton.”

The patrons at a nearby table, an older pair of ladies, looked to them without blinking. The eager expressions almost made him give Tori the computer and leave. “The engagement ring. I need it back.”