The Worst Best Friend: A Small Town Romance

She closes the book with a shy look and a roll of her eyes. “What did Faulk say about Faye’s place?”

“I’m meeting him over there soon. He’ll help me figure out better options in person.”

“You can eat supper with us before you go,” she offers.

My heart throbs darkly behind my ribs.

“No. You already served up breakfast and that’s—”

“You liked it so much you’re coming back? Great,” she finishes for me, unfolding her legs and sliding her feet in the sandals on the floor in front of the couch. “I have to cook something for Gram and Faye, so one more mouth won’t matter.” She stands. “Come on, mister.”

Sensing something’s off, I catch her hand as I stand up.

A small gasp falls out of her.

Tightening my hold, I say, “Wanna tell me what the hell happened last night? You act like you don’t want to be alone at your Gram’s place, and suddenly you want me around...why?”

“I...what? Um, nothing.”

I know she’s lying. I just can’t figure out why.

The look I flash her says she’s busted.

“How could I be alone, West? Gram’s there all the time, and so is Faye for at least a few days. Marty pops in all the time too,” she explains nervously. “And they’ll want dinner before long—you know how early old folks like to eat around here—so I need to get home.”

I stroke the inside of her wrist with my thumb and whisper, “I can’t help you if I don’t know how.”

She glances away like she can’t stand to look at me.

“Shel?”

She’s breathing too hard, and so am I.

We’re both dancing around secrets and I already know how it ends.

A spectacular disaster when somebody’s secrets erupt.

It’s just a matter of when.

11

Hog Tied (Rachel)

I want to tell him that I thought Carson was in the sitting room last night so bad.

I really do.

But I can’t.

If I come begging for help over something that could be so silly, I haven’t changed. Haven’t grown up one lick.

If I tell him, it means I still need him to come flying to my rescue like he’s my other big brother.

No way. Not again. Never.

We’ve actually had a normal day even with all the worrisome excitement—and even though he’s still a savagely handsome sight for sore eyes.

This is how I want to be around West. A grown-up woman he respects enough to help with grown-up interests like town history.