“Riley, don’t argue. You can’t fix this. You said yourself, you have things to do. I’m giving you a ride.”
Liam’s brain took a sharp left turn into fantasy territory that had him handling a whole different set of curves than the ones he preferred to hug in the Mustang. His body stirred. Since his basketball shorts would do nothing to hide his reaction, he didn’t wait for Riley’s acquiescence, just strode toward his car.
Safely blocked by the driver’s side door, Liam called back to her, “You comin’?”
With an exasperated look to the heavens, she grabbed her purse and a second bag out of the passenger seat, then stalked around to the front seat of the Mustang. “You’re bossy.”
He made a U-turn back toward town. “You’re welcome.”
Chapter 3
At the tap on the front door of the pharmacy, Riley happily abandoned the spreadsheets currently fueling a tension headache. On the other side of the glass, Autumn Buchanan lifted an extra-large General Burke from The Daily Grind and made hurry up motions. Riley unlocked the door and tugged it open, grabbing the coffee in one hand and her friend in
the other, yanking both inside.
“Whoa. Take my arm off, why don’t you,” Autumn said with a laugh
Riley took a long swallow, feeling instantly steadier with her favorite stimulant in hand. “I love you. Thank you for bringing me coffee.”
“It was no trouble. Since they cut my hours at the library to the bone, I’m not due in until noon.”
“They cut your hours again? What are you going to do for income? And Jesus, let me pay you back for the coffee.”
Autumn waved that off. “I’ve got savings. Things aren’t dire yet. I’m doing some freelance editing of dissertations for grad students at Ole Miss and MSU. That’s making up the difference for now. And keep your money. This is complete bribery for gossip. How is it that the very sexy Liam Montgomery brought you to work this morning?”
Because the Universe hates me.
“Jo broke down on my drive in. He just showed up and started ordering me around, telling me what was going to happen. ‘Get in the car, Riley.’ ‘I’ll pick up your car later, Riley.’ ‘Stop being so damned stubborn, Riley.’”
“Did he actually say that?”
Riley scowled. “He might as well have.”
Autumn sipped at her own coffee and pursed her lips. “Might I point out that most women would have absolutely no problem with the likes of him ordering them around? Preferably in bed?”
Well hell. She’d only just managed to turn that thought off. At Autumn’s remark, the whole fantasy started up again in high definition, on repeat.
“Liam Montgomery is not interested in me. Never has been, never will be.” Not sure she could control her face, she headed back to the spreadsheets and ledgers.
“Is that why you’re so irritated with him?”
“I’m irritated because my stupid car ended my quite successful streak of avoiding him.”
“It’s a small town, Riley, and you still work part-time with his mom. It was bound to happen sometime.”
“Later would’ve been better than sooner.” Though never would’ve been preferable.
“You ever going to tell me why it is you’re so hell bent on avoiding him?”
“Not today.” And maybe not ever. Her reasons for staying far, far away from Liam Montgomery were no one’s business but hers. That embarrassment did not need to be spread any further than Liam himself.
And who needed old embarrassments? She’d already started adding new ones after less than two minutes in his presence this morning, with all that babble about coffee and sex.
Stupid.
“So he’s going to fix your car?” Autumn prompted.
“Apparently. I tried to tell him I could call a tow, but he just rolled right on over me. Forget what I want. Liam knows best.”