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I drop my head, turning my body away from where he is standing and trying to hide myself.
“What is it?” she leans across the table, her dark hair framing her face as she whispers.
“Clay,” I mouth and her eyes widen before she sits up and looks over her shoulder, then snaps her head back round.
“What the fuck, he knows that I hang out with the Riveras and your brother!”
“Fuck.”
“It’s fine, just keep your head down.”
“I’ve avoided Sunny’s because I didn’t want to go back out with him. He has probably been hanging out by Sylvia’s,” I get the giggles suddenly, and she shakes her head from side to side, her eyes look slightly menacing, her lips twisting and pouting and I know it’s the nerves that is causing this outburst of hysteria.
“Aspen, stop,” she swats me and then I see him look over and I freeze.
“Oh bollocks,” I sink into my chair, covering my face with my hands.
“That isn’t going to help,” she leans over and swats me again, “oh fuck, he is coming over.”
“Hide me,” I squeal but I can hear the sound of his shoes on the hardwood floor and I know it’s too late.
“Aspen,” his tone is warm and I open my fingers that are covering my eyes to look at him then drop my hands and give him a huge smile.
“Clay!” I say a little too enthusiastically and Harlow is just staring at me.
“I haven’t seen you around much, I didn’t know if you had skipped town after our date,” he fists his hand into his pocket and lets out a soft chuckle.
“Oh, no, no,” I shake my head then let out a rumble of a laugh, “I have just been really busy with my deadline.”
“I see, I even hung out at Sylvia’s and when I asked about you she said she didn’t know anAspen.”
My heart is jumping around my chest so fast, I struggle to catch my breath.
“I used a fake name, I’m quite big in the book world so have to use a different name. I was under Annette Curtain,” and I internally curse at myself when Harlow sniggers, covering her mouth and nose instantly, dropping her head.
“Annette?” His brows raise and I nod.
“Mmhmm,” I hum.
“Well, how about that second date then? I had a real good time and I think I can make this one even better,” he winks and I feel nausea roll through my stomach.
“I would love to, but my deadline is right on my ass and I can’t afford to have any distractions…” I bat my lashes at him, “no matter how beautiful they are.”
“Well, that’s a damn shame, how about when the deadline is finished?”
“Sounds great,” I put my thumb up and I want the ground to swallow me up.
“Cool, enjoy your night,Annette.” His voice is smooth as he turns and I catch him give Harlow a double take. “Hey,” he points at her and she slowly turns her face towards him, her eyes wide. “I know you, you’re the vet girl that works down at the Rivera’s ranch and the little farm across the field.”
She nods, keeping mute.
Clay reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card, sliding it across the table with his index and middle finger.
“Give that to Jorge Rivera or his guard dog, Riggs. I have someone interested in their land.”
“Will do,” Harlow squeaks, quickly taking the card from him and flipping it between her fingers.
“Enjoy your evening ladies.” He says again, but this time he directs his well wishes towards the both of us. Once he is out of sight, I feel like I can breathe again and suddenly I feel sick to the pit of my stomach.
