Fat Cat Liar

“I’m not a prize to be won.”

“You’re right, you’re more than a prize. You’re everything, absolutely everything. I made it clear to him where I stand.”

“Lawson, I’m not sure…” She doesn’t need to finish her sentence for me to know she’s close to shutting down.

“Don’t. Whatever you’re thinking, wipe it from your mind. We’re not going backward. I’ll gladly take every bit of shit thrown my way for my future with you.”

I know I’ve hit a sweet spot when her lips curl and the hands at my chest relax.

“How much time do we have until the cavalry arrives?”

“Less than an hour, why?”

“Because I’m going to kiss you again and take my time, getting my fill to last through until the next time I see you. Then I’m going to put your ass in my truck and take you home to wait for your friends.”

“What about my golf cart?”

“I’m confiscating the keys until the weather changes.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but I don’t waste any time crashing my lips to hers to shut her up.

•8•8•

As soon as I confirm Janice has received the last bit of information, I close my computer and motion to the waitress. She rushes over with my tab, but I wave it off and hand her a hundred-dollar bill, telling her to keep the change. Her eyes light up in appreciation, and she thanks me before wishing me a nice evening.

I pack up and get in my truck as more snow starts to fall harder. The campsite is only five miles from the coffee shop, but in the storm, it takes me twenty minutes to get there. As I get closer to the Palmer property, my phone dings like crazy with messages that I can’t read because the visibility becomes dangerous.

When I pull up to the cabin, there’s an SUV I don’t recognize blocking my usual spot. My first thought is that I have an unexpected visit from either Jonas or Enrique.

“Shit,” I mumble, grabbing my bag. As soon as I get close to the door, it swings open and Greer is standing there looking panic-stricken. When she sees me, her body slumps and she grasps onto the doorframe for support.

My chest seizes, and I get to her before she collapses, lifting her with one arm and hauling her inside. The door slams closed with the force of wind, and she jolts at the loud bang.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“W-w-where were you?” Her face is pale, her eyes are crazed, and her voice filled with fear.

“I was at the coffee shop in town.”

“I-I-I couldn’t find you. The lines… the storm… Your truck has been gone for hours. There was an accident…” She sucks in a deep breath, and her entire body quakes against mine.

Her hands clutch at my jacket at the same time her face plants into my chest with such force, I rock back. Her tremors grow, and I drop my computer case on the floor, picking her up and taking her to the bed.

“Baby, calm down.” I tuck her into me, arranging the comforter around us to try and stop her convulsing. “Talk to me.”

She trembles from head to toe, causing my own thighs to quiver. I scoot us around so my back is to the headboard and I can fully support her.

She burrows deeper, folding her knees to her chest and nudging her face into my neck. “I was so scared.”

“Why?”

“Because I couldn’t find you.”

“I had to go into town for a while, but I had my phone.”

She inhales deeply and tilts her head back. Her expression is nothing less than terrified, and my stomach clenches. “Talk to me,” I urge.

“We were working, and the electricity started to flicker. Our backup generators kicked in, but the internet was splotchy. When you didn’t answer your phone or my text messages, I got anxious. Then the storm picked up, and it was getting dark. I asked Stan to check on you, and he said your truck left shortly after you took me home this afternoon. He told me you never came back. Then he told me cell towers were down. That was hours ago. The news reported several accidents, and my imagination went wild with you lying in a ditch alone, with no cell, and no one to help you. I panicked.” Her last statement comes out on a high pitch, and her eyes grow wild again.