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A groan slips out, and I put the car into drive, the phone now on Bluetooth. “I’m sorry. I really am. It was torture leaving you, but there was something I had to do. I want to tell you all about it. Now. Where are you?”
I slow the car to almost a crawl, stalling until Oliver tells me where to find him. If he’s still at my place, snuggled under the blankets, I’d willingly climb under them with him, even if our time together would be short-lived. I need to be at the library by ten.
“I’m at the Grill and glad you called. I texted you when I woke up but didn’t hear from you.”
My foot hits the accelerator with a destination now in mind. “Sorry. I was busy and didn’t look at my phone. I’m on my way to you. Where do you want to meet? Out back of the Grill? Or maybe the Nest?”
His place of business isn’t too far from my family restaurant, and at least we’ll have privacy, be able to be together without worrying about prying eyes.
“The Grill. We aren’t hiding anymore. I want to see you and want you to be here for something.”
“O…kay.” Curious, I wonder what he’s up to but can’t deny the immediate roiling of my stomach. “Are you sure? What about Dot?”
“We’re done hiding. As soon as you get here, everything will make sense.”
Chapter19
Oliver
Ispot Wren the second her car pulls into the parking lot of the Grill from where I’m sitting at a table next to the window. There’s a spring in her step, and she beams from ear to ear as she saunters toward the entrance.
Before she’s even through the door, I’m on her. My hands firmly grasp her hips and I pull her to me, kissing her senseless.
Breathless, she breaks away. “Oliver.” Her eyes dart around the room, probably cataloging just how many people may have caught us kissing.
Most mornings, the Grill is packed. It’s one of only two places in town worth their weight in gold for breakfast.
“Uh, did you forget?” She struggles to break free of my grasp. “We aren’t alone.”
“Nope, I didn’t.” Smiling, I drag her with me to the front of the restaurant, close to the main server station. “Told you, we aren’t hiding anymore.”
Percy pauses on her way to a table, her hands filled with plates of food, brow furrowed. “You two okay?”
Like her sister, she furtively glances around the restaurant. A few patrons stare at us, mouths agape. They’re likely wondering why I kissed Wren Tyler when I’m supposedly engaged to Dot Malone.
“I don’t think so. Did Oliver hit his head or something?” Wren lifts her hand as if to check my skull then thinks better of it and lets her arm fall to her side. “What is going on?”
“You tell me your news first then I will.”
Percy strolls past us, shaking her head. “What is this, you show me yours and I’ll show you mine?”
“Something like that.” I smirk and turn my gaze back to Wren. “So, come on, tell me why you got up so early. What was so important you left me all alone?”
I mock pout and she frowns. “I can’t. It’s really good news but not here.”
“I love that you’re worried about me, us, but we don’t have to anymore. I tell you what, I’ll go first.”
With her hand in mine, I pull us into what is the closest thing to the center of the place just as Pop moseys from the employees only doorway at the back of the restaurant. His steps falter as his gaze lands on us.
I tip my head at him in greeting, but I’m not waiting for him to come close, to talk to him. If so, he might stop me. He still could. It’s now or never.
“Good morning, everyone.” I clank a spoon against my coffee cup and project my voice loud and clear over the din of the restaurant. “Hello. I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I’ve got an announcement to make.”
The chatter dies down, and heads turn my way.
Pop clears his throat and strides over to us. “Oliver, this is a restaurant, not the town square. I don’t care what you’re?—”
“Pop, let him speak,” both Wren and Percy say at the same time as a chuckle from behind me catches my attention.
