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She’d seen that same kind of behavior firsthand while working at White Rock. Through the years, she’d overheard some of her coworkers calling their spouses or significant others and blatantly lying about why they needed to work late. The second they disconnected from the call, they rushed out of the office to go do whatever they were about to do.
Or whoever they were about to do.
While that behavior wasn’t limited to the men, a lot of them conveniently forgot they were married when their wives weren’t around. She had been hit on plenty of times by male coworkers with wedding bands circling their ring fingers. An obvious reminder of the vows they ignored.
After all that, Fallon wasn’t sure if she could ever trust a man one hundred percent. She also avoided any kind of committed relationship in which she could be the one cheated on. Especially since she dedicated so much of her time to work and was hardly ever home.
It was simply easier to avoid any serious relationship and was one less thing to worry about. It also made it easier for her to concentrate on her career.
“Sorry your dad was a dick. So was mine.”
His words pulled her from the thoughts that were beginning to make her stomach churn.
That wasn’t the only thing that pulled her back to the diner and to the man sitting across from her. Whip brushed his rough fingertips over the back of her knuckles, too. They were there and gone so quickly, for a second she thought she imagined it.
Even that brief touch shot a shiver down her spine and woke up everything inside her. “He cheated on your mother?”
Those same long fingers were now curled around his glass of iced tea. “He did a lot of shit.”
The tone of his answer made it clear he didn’t want to go down that path. Fallon would respect that. “Did you grow up around here?”
“Liberty. ‘Bout a half-hour from here.”
“Have you always lived in northern PA?”
“Yeah.” His now serious gaze grabbed hers and held her hostage. “So, why were you on Copperhead Road?”
She didn’t try to break free from his hold as she answered, “I decided to head north to explore the Finger Lakes area. I figured it would be a beautiful ride since spring’s in the air. Maybe find a cabin on one of the lakes and take a breather. Hit some wineries. Explore the local culture up there.”
“Local culture?”
She shrugged. “Sure.”
“But Copperhead Road ain’t gonna get you to the Finger Lakes.”
She was aware of that. “Once I decide on a destination, I take the scenic route.”
“Most people don’t got that kinda time.”
“You’re right.”
“You told Lee that you got nothin’ and no one waitin’ on you. That true?”
By continuing to ask her questions, he was diverting the attention from himself. “Yes, that’s true.”
“Why’s that?”
“Why what?”
“Why you travelin’ alone?”
She shrugged one shoulder. Besides the fact that she didn’t have anyone to travel with? “It gives me the freedom to go wherever and whenever I want. That’s the nice thing about not having any ties and no one waiting for you at home.” Or what used to be home. When she got tired of being on the road, of being a nomad, she would pick somewhere else to settle.
Somewhere without snow. Maybe a place on the ocean or Gulf where she could walk the beach in the morning and watch the sun set in the evening. Feel the warmth of the sun on her skin and the saltiness of the ocean spray on her face.
“Home,” he repeated. “Illinois?”
“Right outside of Chicago.”
“You born there?”
She shook her head. “Not there. I grew up outside of Indianapolis.”
“How’d you end up in Chicago?”
“The company I worked for was based in Chicago.”
She had wanted to find out more about him, but here he was firing off questions about her instead. She didn’t mind answering them as long as he was willing to do the same.
“So, you don’t got a job, either?”
She stared at him. “Don’t worry, the garage will get paid.”
“Ain’t worried about that. Some of the ol’ ladies in the Fury’s got their own businesses. Like Lee does with Shelter from the Storm. Assumin’ you do, too, since you can afford that sweet sled and got the time to take the scenic route.”
She tilted her head to the side. She didn’t want to talk about her. She wanted to talk about him, so she turned the focus back on Whip. “Do you still live in Liberty?”
“Nah. Here in Manning Grove. Moved closer to work.”
“You like what you do.” She didn’t make it a question, because it was obvious he did.
“Don’t not like it. I’m good at it.”
His answer wasn’t cocky, but honest. She liked that.
She smothered her grin. “Are you saying you’re good with your hands?”
He lifted both hands up and studied them, then wiggled his fingers. “Got some skills.”
