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“She never lived there. She was in the next town over, closer to school.”
“School?” He drops the menu and looks at me with a confused frown. “There’s a school right in town.”
“There is now. There wasn’t when I was growing up. We got bussed to the next town because there weren’t enough kids for a school of our own.” I fiddle with my straw, avoiding his penetrating gaze.
“I sort of remember Cade saying something about that. Wasn’t it his junior or senior year when the town opened one in town?”
“Senior, I think. But my parents kept me at the other school since dance class was right after, and there weren’t enough kids in Katah Vista to form a class.
“You didn’t really grow up in Katah Vista at all?”
“Not the way Cade did, no.” I shake my head. Mercifully, I feel his focus shift back to the menu.
“Well, I’m glad you kept in touch with your friend and had a chance to get out of town for a change. How’d that go over with your folks?”
“It’s like you said the other day. I’m twenty-two. And this was a battle worth fighting.”
“Good for you.” There isn’t any underlying sarcasm or condescension in his tone, and his approval makes my belly flutter.Stupid, stupid belly.
Deacon points to a sandwich on the menu and says, “To go,” when the waitress asks what she can get him. Then he spins back to me. “So, you’re headed back to your friend’s place after you eat I assume?”
“Uh, no. I was planning to drive home. Why?”
“They just closed the road out of town because of the storm.”
Turning to face the window, I see a steady stream of snow falling to the ground. It’s not blizzard heavy, but it’s not light either.When did that start?
“Oh. Well, I don’t want to impose any more than I have. I’ll just get a hotel.”Maybe the room I had the past few nights is still available.
“There aren’t any. Apparently they go quick when the alternative is sleeping in your car. Why don’t you call your friend?”
No hotels. How is that possible? Shit—he can’t know I have nowhere to go.“If there aren’t any hotels, where are you staying?”
“The guy who runs the quarry has a little cabin he rents out for extra cash. He’s letting me crash there. So, this friend, you’ll stay with her?”
I should’ve known he wouldn’t fall for that diversion. “I mean, I could but…”
“Tiff,” he cuts me off with that no-nonsense tone that never fails to make my core tingle. “There isn’t any friend, is there?”
Blinking rapidly, I reach for something, anything to say in response. All that comes out is the truth. “No.”
“What are you really doing here?” The intensity of his stare has me swooning despite the fact that it’s filled with apprehension, not attraction.
“I interviewed for a job at a dance studio here.” The truth spills from my mouth, and I swear a scowl ghosts his face before his features settle into a stoic gaze.
“You’re moving?” His voice is flat. Overly calm.
“It’s probably a long shot,” I ramble. “I’m pretty sure I’m not actually qualified. I don’t even know why I applied I just… hit submit without thinking it through. Don’t tell anyone.” My voice falls to a whisper as I plead for his silence.
“Yeah. Fine.” He pulls his wallet from his pocket and tosses a few bills on the counter as the waitress sets his box on the counter. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“And go where?”
“You planning to stay here all night?” His brows lift as if in some sort of challenge.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“Figured as much. You’re coming with me.” He rises from the stool and grabs his sandwich, clearly expecting me to follow.
