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“Take your time.” A deep male voice says. “Just enjoying the view.”
I pause. Something about that voice is familiar, but it’s definitely not a local. I shake the feeling off and keep boxing up the cinnamon rolls and muffins.
The box falls from my hands when I stand and meet the golden eyed gaze of one of my ghosts. His sandy blond hair is pulled back in a knot and he’s dressed like he just stepped off the ranch, in snug blue jeans and a few layered shirts. I stare at Cody Matthews with my mouth agape and ears ringing.
I take a step backwards, and that’s when I notice Blake by the front door. He’s flipped the sign from open to closed, casually leaning against the window. His charcoal dress pants and cashmere sweater are so laughably out of place here. In his expression I find the slightest hint of apology, for what, I’m not sure.
“You dropped something, Cherry.” Cody gestures to the box at my feet.
“I . . .” I can’t form words. Dread fills me like concrete, anchoring me to the spot.
“Did you forget how to speak in the four years we’ve been apart?” This comes from my right, the door that leads to the kitchen.
My head snaps in that direction and I find narrowed emerald eyes and the hard slash of lips that belong to my former best friend.
“West,” I whisper.
It doesn’t escape me that they have all the exits blocked. I have nowhere to run. I’m transported to the moment I left them behind, naked and peaceful on the cabin floor. Their faces were soft and relaxed, then. Now their expressions range from curious, to angry, to vengeful.
“She speaks,” Cody’s voice booms through the empty room.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my gaze darting between the three of them. “How did you find me?”
Blake moves over to stand by Cody. His dark eyes sweep up and down my body as he gets closer. “You didn’t make it easy.”
“Excuse me, fellas. We’re closed,” Mitch says as he shoulders past a tense West. One look at me and his affable exterior disappears. A deep crease forms in between his brows as he walks around the counter to me. The tension in the air ratchets up tenfold when he slides his arm around my shoulder. “Y’all don’t look familiar. Can I help you with something?”
“Yeah, you can get your fucking arm off Violet,” Cody says with a dangerous edge to his voice.
“Excuse me?” Mitch pulls me closer and attempts to steer me behind him.
“It’s okay, Mitch.” I pull away, causing him to frown. “I went to school with these guys.”
“In Colorado?”
West releases a derisive snort and rolls his eyes.
“Yeah, I was just surprised to see them, is all. Everything’s fine.” I reach up and squeeze his bicep to reassure him. “You can go on home. I can finish closing up on my own.”
“No.” He glares at the three men on the other side of the counter. “I’m staying right here until you get in your car and head home.”
A quiet stand off ensues.
“We need to get back to the showing across the street, actually,” Blake says.
Cody looks over at Blake, his eyes soft. “Okay.” He turns his attention back to me. “But I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again real soon, Cherry.”
His wink looks friendly, but feels like a threat.
“How about a hug for your oldest friend, Vi?” West holds his arms out in a dare.
I swallow nervously, not understanding this game, but willing to play anyway. I give Mitch a tremulous, quick smile before walking around the counter and into West’s arms.
“I told you a long time ago, I’d always find you, Vi.” His hold on me is firm and possessive, with one hand low on my back and other on the back of my head. His fingers dig into me painfully as he presses my body against his. He’s grown, his body one of a man now, instead of a lean teenager. As much as I hate myself for it, I cling to him just a second too long as a low rumble comes from his chest. He lets go first and I keep my eyes trained on the ground as he walks around me to the guys at the door. They stare Mitch down as they leave and he stares right back.
I finally feel like I can breathe again when the door closes behind them and I lock it immediately before going to the back. Mitch is hot on my heels and pulls me into a firm hug as soon as the kitchen door closes behind us.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
