AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“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 wantme, 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.
Doreen greets me as I walk in and stomp the snow off my shoes. It’s not coming down heavy yet, but there’s enough on the ground to be messy.
“What can I get you, Knox?” She smiles, her bright red lipstick never changing in all the years I’ve known her.
“Truffle fries. Double order.”
“I didn’t know you liked those.” She calls the order to the back where Gino, her husband, gives a wave through the window.
“I do, but they aren’t for me.”
She rolls her eyes. “That buzzard Nora finally got to you, did she?”
“Nope, Ruby’s back in town.”
Her eyes glint as she leans over the counter. “Ruby Lane?”
“The very one.” I give a nod to the regulars who are chatting down at the other side of the bar.
“I didn’t know she was coming home. At least, Lorraine hasn’t said anything. Then again, I haven’t seen her in a while.” That glint shines in her eyes again. “It seems she’s been getting a lot of orders. A ridiculous amount, in fact. And she’s overworked. I’m guessing she’s called Ruby in for help. Am I warm?”
