I glanced down at the ring she still wore on her finger despite her claims of breaking up with him.
“I don’t belong to him. I wear the ring because it’s easier than answering a lot of questions from the busy bodies in town. Evan doesn’t want the ring back, but I will give it to him.”
I didn’t blame her about the gossip. “We can do this your way for now. Slow and steady and out of the prying eyes of the town. Agreed?” A shy smile warmed her mouth as she bobbed her head yes. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving?” she asked.
“If I stay, it’s going to be fast and hard and there’s nothing wrong with that,” I said. “But I promised slow and steady, which I’m neither at the moment.”
Her robe slipped, giving me a naked view of a strip of skin from between her breast down to the tie belted at her waist. It was going to be a long night.
I tipped my head with fingers on the brim of my hat and left. I couldn’t risk kissing her again. What I did know that she didn’t, was that she was mine. I dared any man, including her ex, to prove me wrong.
And damn if I wouldn’t be tested in the very near future.
Chapter 19
Emma
Had that really just happened? I kissed Aiden Faulkner. Why did I feel like a schoolgirl that needed to call her best friend and share?
“Jessie, I know it’s late, but I need to talk to you,” I said when she answered. “Promise you won’t tell anyone, not even Miles.”
“What, that you had your father’s body exhumed? When were you going to tell me?”
I sucked in a breath because for a moment, I’d forgotten. “You heard?”
“A few people are wondering. I don’t think it’s big news yet. Some think the grave is for Old Man Collins.” He was the guy that had passed a day before they’d come for my father.
“It’s my dad. I’m getting an autopsy.”
She was quiet. “I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry you had to do that.”
“Me too. But I need answers.”
“I get it. But that isn’t why you called, is it?”
“No.” I had to push the sadness back.
“Is it about Aiden?”
“I kissed him, rather he kissed me,” I blurted out, hoping to find that joyous moment I had earlier.
“Holy shit.”
“Yeah.”
“And... how was it?” she asked.
“Everything I hoped and better.” Some of the giddiness was back and I tried not to feel guilty about it. “I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like that before.”
I wasn’t lying. Kissing Evan had been a chore after the first time. It never felt natural, and I’d assumed it was from my lack of experience. I’d only had a few serious boyfriends.
“Good for you. You deserve it, my friend, and I like Aiden. He was so cute when Janet tried hitting on him. I had to intervene because he was at a loss for words.”
“He mentioned that. Not that I blame her.”
“Who are you telling? What girl didn’t have a crush on Aiden at one point or another while we were in school?”
“Did you?”
“Maybe. A little one. I thought he was hot that’s for sure.”
We talked a little while longer and then I got off. I needed sleep.
Before I left for work the next day, I had chores to do around the house. Through most of it, I floated. I was certain my feet hadn’t touched the ground. Was that what it was supposed to feel like when you were falling in love? Not that I was there with Aiden. But I hadn’t ever felt this way with anyone else, including Evan.
By the time I made it to the bar, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I didn’t even get pissed off when one of my waitresses called out. I put on my apron and got to work.
After the lunch crowd, one of my cooks, Robert informed me we were low on meat and wouldn’t last through the night. I scowled.
“Jack didn’t order any?” Though I asked the question, I didn’t think he knew the answer.
He shrugged.
“I’m going to run to Sal’s and see what I can get.” I stormed off having a feeling that Jack was seriously trying to screw me over.
Sal’s was behind the police department on a different street, but I could see the back parking lot of the station. I had to pry my eyes away from hoping to catch a glimpse of Aiden.
What was wrong with me? I’d seen him in the middle of the night. The problem was I could still feel his lips on mine.
I got out of my car and went into Sal’s.
Sal’s niece, Hallie, who was new to town, stood behind the counter.
“Hey, Hallie, it’s good to see you.” We’d met a few times while getting coffee. “I’m in a jam. I don’t think Jack put in my order with Wilder. It seems I’m short on ground beef and won’t make it through the dinner hour. Do you have—” I rattled off a number of pounds that made her eyes widen, “I can take off your hands?”