The Best Friend Zone

And the instant she stands, I can’t tell who ignites first.

All I know is my arms are wrapped around her, pressing tight, hoisting her off her feet as she squeals and locks her arms around my neck.

I want to kiss her so fucking bad.

But seeing how I’m already whacked out of my head and we haven’t even talked about my lips mauling her on the Ferris wheel the first time…I settle.

Settle for pushing her face to my shoulder, stroking her hair, breathing her in, convincing myself she’s okay, dammit.

She’s okay.

One more tight squeeze from her and a sky-blue glance, and I finally set her down.

Tory shakes her head, spilling her auburn curls everywhere.

“It was probably nothing,” she says. “He might even work for the Neuman’s, or maybe he was just going in the same direction as me. I’ve never met them. Uncle Dean set the job up. And the guy thought I was being kinda ‘snotty’ since he scared me, put me on edge, so—”

“Bullshit. He shouldn’t have followed you like that, whether he was a Neuman worker or not. I’m gonna follow up and find out, don’t you worry,” I say, trying to make her feel better.

The angry, black storm in my gut says there’s no fucking chance it was anything so innocent as a dairy farmer being a jackass on the road.

Still, I don’t want to scare her, freak her out, so I leave her with the slim possibility.

“I got a couple pictures of the truck as it blew past,” Grady says, joining us. “They might be blurry—my phone’s four years old—but maybe we can blow them up so you can get a license plate number or something. I’ll text them to you, Faulk.”

“Thanks. I’ll send them to the sheriff’s office and the Neuman place, see if they can make anything out.” Not wanting to upset Tory more, I change the subject. “I sent Joyce Selleck’s lawyer the stuff we talked about. They’re both impressed. Don’t think he’ll have a leg to stand on in court. I ain’t no lawyer, but it sounds like North Dakota still recognizes fault in some cases, and this dude definitely didn’t just slip and fall into Rosie’s tits.”

Tory belts out an adorable laugh. I grin because it’s good to see her laughing again after what just went down.

“Damn, Faulk. You really outdid yourself, getting them in such a compromising position,” Grady says, giving a thankful nod. “Joyce already offered me a lifetime of babysitting, but of course I’m not biting and taking advantage. She’s already too good to my girls.”

“Gotta give credit where it’s due—Tory here shot the juiciest stuff at the rodeo,” I say, casting a proud grin her way. “Thank her for making Joyce’s prenup ironclad.”

“Thanks for helping Joyce out, Faulk,” Grady says, turning. “You, too, Tory.”

Her cheeks glow bashful pink.

“No problem.” Nodding, she adds, “Thank you for returning the favor today, Grady. I hope I didn’t cause much trouble for you and your customers.”

“None at all. It’s pretty dead right now before the regulars start rolling in for the evening.” Grady motions to the empty seats. “Why don’t you two stay a while? Beers on the house.”

“I wish I could.” Tory shakes her head. “But I have Owl to worry about and need to get home.”

“I need to get back to town, too,” I tell him. “Rain check, man. Thanks again for your help.”

“Anytime.” Grady slaps my shoulder with his big paw. “You know it.”

He waves at Tory one more time and then heads back behind the bar, doing what Grady does best.

“Are you okay to drive?” I ask her.

“I’m fine. Just embarrassed, really. I’m sure this was a bunch of excitement over nothing.”

And I’m absolutely sure it wasn’t. The pressure is on to tell her the truth.

The whole truth, but not here.

“I’ll follow you to Granny’s. Peace of mind.” I reach for my wallet and pull it out. “Oh yeah, and before I forget…half of this belongs to you.”

“You wrote me a check?” She looks up, confused.

“You did the lion’s share of the work with our little cheater bust at the rodeo. Fair’s fair, and I bet you can use the money. Don’t fight me,” I warn.

“Oh, Quinn, you don’t have to do that. The check or following me home…”

She tries to push the slip of paper back to me, the little minx.

I ain’t having it. Swatting her hand away, I grab it, open her palm, and then close her fist around it.

“But—”

“No buts, Peach. That’s the one thing we’ve got no time for today.” I shift my hand and give the back of her neck a soft squeeze. “I want you to keep it, just like I want to make sure you get home okay.”

Removing my hand, I lead her outside.

Tory follows, prettier than she has any business being under the evening sun. My eyes roam every chance they get as she follows me to my truck.