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Just then, an older version of Alexis walked up, wearing a matching apronandbaseball cap. She slid an arm around Alexis’s hips. “It’s true. It’s an old family recipe passed down for generations,” she stated proudly. “Best chili you’ll ever have.” The older woman nodded at Willow and Shane in acknowledgment, giving them a bright smile.
“Mom, this is Lyric, she’s the new librarian, and these are her friends, Deva and Wynn. Guys, this is my mom, Mary Clarke.”
A record scratched in my head. Wait...Clarke? It had to have been a coincidence. It wasn’t exactly an uncommon last name, but I still felt my hackles go up.
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s lovely to meet you.” The woman took my hand and gave it a shake. “I’ve heard you’ve been doing great things over at the library. Been meanin’ to come down and volunteer now that I’ve got the time on my hands.”
I smiled, pushing down my discomfort. “Oh, well, thanks. We could always use more volunteers. You’d be more than welcome.”
“Oh how sweet. Say, are you single, darlin’? I’ve got a son—hold on just a second let me get him.”
Uh-oh.
“Holton! Get your behind over here.”
A familiar voice rumbled in answer, making my tummy swoop and spin like it was on a rollercoaster as Holton made his way from the back of the booth. “Mom, I already told you, I’m not wearing that damn hat—Lyric?” Those intoxicating eyes went wide the moment they landed on me before drooping to half-mast as a smile that set my blood on fire stretched across his lips.
ChapterTwelve
LYRIC
God,thatsmileand that freaking deep baritone voice. It never failed to make my inner walls clench greedily and set fire to my blood. His intoxicating gaze had me pinned in place, unable to move even though I felt the uncontrollable need to squirm.
“It’s good to see you.”
Was it just me, or did his voice sound extra sexy?
“Oh. Do you two already know each other?” Mary asked.
My hackles went up at the sudden cheerfulness in her tone and the gleam in her eyes as they darted between me and her son.
“We’ve met,” I answered at the same time Holt said, “We’re friends.”
“Oh, well isn’t that just serendipitous. The both of you having already met. I know my boy here’s single. What about you, Lyric? Do you have a young man in your life?”
Deva made a choking sound beside me, and I shoved my elbow in her side while shooting her a killing look.
Holton hit her with a glare. “Jesus, Mom. Real subtle.”
Mary’s face lit up like a fireworks display on the Fourth of July, the innocent Bambi eyes she was giving completely fake. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Even I knew she was full of it, and I’d only met her thirty seconds ago. She had one of the worst poker faces I’d ever seen. So bad it was hilarious, and when I tried to cover my laugh, it ended up coming out as a rather unladylike snort.
“Sorry. I’m sorry,” I said on a giggle, “I didn’t mean to laugh.”
Alexis giggled along with me. “It’s cool. My mom is nuts; the whole town knows it.”
Mary huffed indignantly, propping her hands on her hips. “Well, excuse me for wanting to see my children happy. I guess you’d rather I be a terrible mother who doesn’t care.” She threw her hands up in the air. “Point taken, loud and clear.”
Alexis winked at me. “She’s also really good at the whole guilt thing.”
Wynn blew out a raspberry from beside me. “I’ll say. She’s got skill. Mary, if I ever have kids, I’ll gladly pay you to teach me your ways.”
Mary’s lips curved up in a satisfied smirk. “Good to know, but word to the wise, sweetheart, my talents don’t come cheap.”
Wynn smiled wickedly, and it was nice to see that spark of her old, non-heartbroken self shine through. “Oh, Mary. I like you. I think we’re going to be the best of friends.”
A deep belly laugh pushed its way past my lips. When I finally got hold of myself, my gaze darted back toward Holton, and a gasp lodged in my throat. His eyes looked downright molten as he watched me. The swooping in my belly picked up and a rush of arousal soaked my panties at that look. He was staring like he was a man dying of thirst and I was the cool glass of water that could save him.
It was a look I’d wished for for so long, one that I wanted so badly to be real. I didn’t understand what his game was. He’d made it abundantly clear nothing was ever going to happen between us, but when he looked at me like that, like how he’d looked at me at the diner the other morning, it was getting harder and harder to tamp down the stupid niggling ember of hope that kept sparking inside of me.
