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“How about after I drop you off I run over and get you some?”
“Really?”
He pulls up to the front of the bakery.
“Yes, really.” He squeezes my thigh before he finally releases me. It’s foolish, but I want his hand back. And maybe … maybe I want it in other places? No! No, Ruby. Not happening. Especially not with Knox.
He jumps out of the car, coming around and opening the passenger side door for me. Again, he offers me his hand. I take it. He pulls me out, but with a bit of force, causing me to slip forward right into him. “I’m not the same boy I was in high school, Ruby.”
“Clearly,” I breathe out, feeling every inch of him pressed against me. Knox is so far from being a boy, it’s laughable. Even in high school, he was more of a man. At least when it came to his appearance. Knox’s eyes drop to my mouth. I can’t help but lick my suddenly dry lips.
Everything inside me freezes when he starts to lean down. It’s happening. Knox Lovejoy is going to kiss me. I should shove him away. Tell him I remember what he said about me all those years ago. That it doesn’t matter if he’s a changed man. That I don’t want any part of him. Instead my eyes start to close, and I tilt my head back to give him easier access.
“Look who's back. I guess you finally realized you’re not better than any of us.” I’d know that stuck-up voice anywhere. For a second, I think Nora is talking to Knox. He was the one always thinking he was better than everyone. Not that Nora has much room to talk in that category. She keeps on going, “I thought she was out of here like that mother of hers.”
I grit my teeth. Did my thoughts seriously conjure Nora up? I need to start thinking about baskets of kittens or something.
“Nora!” Knox barks, making both of us jump. Not that I get anywhere with how tightly Knox is holding me.
“Why are you snapping at me? We were supposed to be meeting up twenty minutes ago,” she huffs out.
I jerk my hand out from Knox’s. Are they a thing now? Of course they are. Nora is as pretty as she was all those years ago. She and Knox could be Ken and Barbie. Scratch that, more like GI Joe and Barbie.
Anger fills me at the thought of them being together and also at myself for being so naïve. I don’t care who you’re doing favors for, it’s not appropriate to go picking up someone from the airport if you’ve got another woman waiting for you. I know the thought is ridiculous, but I wouldn’t want my man picking up a woman from anywhere. All buckling their seat belts and rubbing their palms on them. Great, now I think palm rubbing is erotic.
“I need to get to work. Thanks for the ride.” I practically run to the bakery, yanking the door open. “No fries!” I shout over my shoulder. It’s a painful thing to have to say, but I do it. It’s for the best.
Knox calls after me, but I ignore it. He’s ignored me for years. I can do the same damn thing.
7
KNOX
Ruby dashes into the bakery before I can say another word. When she calls out “no fries,” I want to curse Nora out. But I don’t. She’s annoying but harmless.
I walk back to my car. “Nora, I told you I don’t have room at the shop for your car today.”
She gives me a pouty face that I’m certain she’s practiced in the mirror. “I thought you could fit me in.”
“Not today. Besides, you came in for a tune-up last week, and Eddie told me everything is running fine.”
“But it’s making a noise.” She follows me to the car door and tries to lean against it.
I block her and pull it open. “Come by tomorrow afternoon. Eddie can take a look.”
“Will you be there?” She blinks, her lashes long and thick.
“Maybe.” I drop into the driver’s seat and make a mental note to stay far away from my shop tomorrow afternoon.
“I thought after you worked on my car, you and I could—”
“Gotta go, Nora.” I close my car door.
She leans over, trying to give me a view of her chest.
I start the car, the engine revving. Tapping my ear, I mouth that I can’t hear her, then I pull away from the curb. Is it rude? Absolutely. Will it deter her? Not a chance. She’s been after me since high school, though she doesn’t want me, particularly. She’s more interested in inheriting my father’s estate and lording it over Reindeer Valley from the Lovejoy Estate. No, thanks.
Snowrise Diner is only a five-minute drive, and I make it there in three. Every second I’m not with Ruby is a second wasted.
