One More Time (Red Hook 1)

He hugged her and tilted her face toward him. He kissed her nose. She had been hoping the kiss was for her lips, but she did tell him she only wanted friendship. She felt so torn. She desired him, but could she trust him?

“You didn’t snore or drool much, and if anyone says otherwise, they will have to answer to me.”

Alana gave him a playful shove. “I guess it is safe to say my break is over.”

“How much do I owe you for the food?” he asked, standing up and pulling her with him.

“My treat,” she assured him. Suddenly she felt shy and didn’t know what to say. “Thanks for letting me rest, Noah. I already feel better. I’m sorry you got banned from here. It was just too painful for me. I never stopped to think what my bitterness was doing to you and Ray. I owe you both an apology for that.”

He pulled her into his arms for a huge hug. “You can rest in my arms anytime, Sleeping Beauty. Don’t worry. Ray and I will eventually work things out. You had the right to your feelings, Alana. I never blamed you. Now get those

frown lines off your face.”

Alana couldn’t help but smile at him.

He waved as she walked back into the restaurant with that same smile on her face. Her mom was at the hostess station instead of her sister. Alana prepared herself to hear a long lecture.

Lucy sighed and smiled gently at her daughter. “He is still the one?”

Alana nodded. She could not lie to her mother.

“He has been so sweet to me, Mama.” Alana confessed that he had brought her coffee and books and forced her to sit on the porch. “At the fair he hugged me when I got all emotional. I feel safe with him, Mama. I know what I am risking, but I can’t be mean to him or ignore him. I’m sorry if that disappoints you.”

“I know, baby girl.” Her mama gave in. “He is a good man. Drake told us he had never seen Noah so scared as when he got the news about you. He questioned Drake every day about your condition, so I know he does care for you. Sometimes men need a good kick in the behind to know what is important to them. If you want to date him again, I won’t interfere, and I’ll make sure the rest of them don’t either. Ray and Alicia are not his fans, but this is your life, not theirs.”

Alana hugged her mother. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for romance yet. I’m scared to open up to him again. He offered his friendship, and I like knowing he is there for me. Maybe in the future.”

Alana got back to work feeling happier. The possibilities were dancing in her head. And it felt better than the usual fear that lingered inside her mind.

Chapter 11

Noah felt the sweat trickling down his neck and onto his shoulders. His muscles burned with his running in place. The treadmill beeped and made noises letting him know how long he had been running. He finally flipped the switch to stop. He slowly stopped and stepped off. He grabbed his water and took a gulp. He always liked to work out before his shift at the station started. It energized him and prepared him for whatever came his way. Adam and Liam joined him when they could. Today he was alone, but he didn’t mind. He had been thinking of Alana as usual. He felt hopeful for another chance. He was thankful she was even alive to give him a chance to fix his mistakes.

“Hey, sexy.” He heard a feminine voice behind him. He turned to see the waitress from the Blue Fish, a local bar. What was her name? Kelly, Kylie?

“Why haven’t you called me?” She pouted. She wore tight black shorts and a black workout bra. “I gave you my number, handsome.”

Noah grimaced. He had gone out with Sam, one of his deputies, about a month ago. He had taken the number, but he never intended to call her. He just hadn’t wanted to hurt the redhead’s feelings. She had flirted with him all night, but he was still not over Alana. Now he knew he never would be.

“Sorry, been so busy with work.” He lied. She was sexy but not for him. Alana was the only woman he wanted in his life and in his bed. He would never again try to hide from that.

She gave him a look that told him she knew it was an excuse. “I heard your ex-girlfriend got hurt a few weeks back. Are you not over her yet?”

He nodded and decided to be honest. “She did, and it made me realize how foolish I was to let her go. I am trying hard to win her back. I love her. I’m sorry, Kelly.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s Kylie. That’s okay, Sheriff. I get it. She is very lucky.”

Noah sighed with relief that she had not made a scene. He grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off his face.

He spotted Ray coming inside and looking around. Noah’s stomach tightened up with tension. Had something happened to Alana? He hadn’t heard from her since the day he ordered lunch from her. That was four days ago, and the festival was over. He had resisted the temptation to hang out at the restaurant every day. The last thing he needed was to be called a stalker by her family.

He met Ray halfway. “Is everything okay?”

Ray looked angry and worried. He was wearing casual clothes, so Noah figured it was his day off.

“I need to talk to you, Noah.”

The gym was pretty empty since it was early morning. A girl with headphones was running on the treadmill, and two men were lifting weights. Kylie had gone into the women’s locker room.