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CHAPTER12
ALESSANDRA
Ipark a few spots down from Trixie’s. My gaze roams the sidewalk until I land on Braydon.
Clad in dark denim, a rich-green Henley, and Chucks, he rocks back on his heels. Hands shoved in his pockets, he eyes each person as they pass, giving an abrupt smile to each.
Inhaling deeply, I cut the engine, shoulder my purse, and exit the car. When I hit the lock on the fob, he looks down the sidewalk and smiles wider. He takes a step in my direction, pulls his hands from his pockets, and pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
I reach him in ten strides, lips trapped between my teeth. Like a nervous twit, I raise a hand. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Ready?”
He nods and I step toward the door. As I reach for the handle and pull, warmth lands on my lower back. I suck in a breath, my stride faltering for a beat. Three hour-long seconds pass before normal breathing resumes and I lead us inside.
This is not a date. Business. This is just business.
His hand remains in place until we reach the table. His hand falls away and I immediately miss the contact, the weight, the buzzy connection. The host hands us menus and tells us a server will arrive momentarily.
I lift the menu and pretend to scan the selection. Considering I eat from Trixie’s almost weekly, I knew what I was ordering the second Braydon said Thai. Spring rolls, Tom Kha soup, and green curry chicken. I have a rotation of sorts with each restaurant in town. It’s usually more than a month before I circle back to the top of the list.
Angelica sidles up to the table, her brightest smile in place. “Hey, Lessa. Nice seeing ya.”
I return her smile. “You too. How’s your dad?”
She rolls her eyes. “Stubborn as ever. The day that man actually accepts the help he knows he needs, I swear the earth will stop spinning.”
A few months back, Teddy—Angelica’s father—was constructing a new house on the outskirts of town and slipped off his ladder. Broke his right radius, the bones in his right wrist, and got a hairline fracture in his femur. Needless to say, he is not happy.
“Well, I hope he heals soon.”
“Thanks, Lessa. I’ll pass along the love.” She looks between me and Braydon. “Can I start you with drinks and an appetizer?”
Braydon lays down his menu. “I’m ready to order if you are.”
I wave a hand in his direction. “By all means.”
Angelica scribbles down our orders then wanders off.
Leaning back in the booth, I futz with the hem of my shirt. “So…” I purse my lips. “How’s the story coming along?”
Before he answers, Angelica returns. She sets our drinks on the table and tells us the appetizers will be out soon. Soft music drifts back in the moment she leaves. We both reach for our drinks, me downing half my wine while he sips his beer.
“Not bad.” His gaze drops as he picks at the label on the beer bottle. “Think I’ve hit up most of the touristy spots.” Then his gaze snaps up, an unfamiliar glint in his eyes and animation in his expression. Leaning forward, his fingers fall away from the bottle. “Have you been to Rescues Gone Wild?”
Was definitely not expecting that question. Laughter bursts from my lips and I slap a hand over my mouth. Kind of a silly question, considering I live here.
Last time I visited the animal rescue was during high school. The teachers swore the trip was for educational purposes. A way to teach us about wildlife in person. To respect nature. My friends and I thought it was a great escape from the mundane school day. What we didn’t know was how terrifying it’d be to have bison charge the car. And since no one can drive faster than ten miles per hour in the place, we all thought we were going to die. The teachers wouldn’t admit the glee they felt at seeing us frightened, but I caught them laughing under their breaths. Saw the smiles they tried to hide.
As a teen, I hated how much they enjoyed our fear. As an adult, I understand the kicks they got from the trip.
I nod. “It’s been a while, but yeah.”
“First off”—he holds up a finger—“those llamas are fucking crazy.”
I drop my chin to my chest, cover my mouth and laugh.
