Page 39 of When You Stayed
He leaned closer, furrowing his dark brows. “No, I just…why wear the leather vests inside places? I don’t get it.”
From anywhere in the shop, it would look like we were cozy or flirting. Which was probably what Ford saw when he turned with his black coffee in his hand. His glower was typical Ford, but after the moment we had in his work trailer, it felt different. I instantly sat back, holding his gaze, but he flicked a curious glance to Julian then back to me.
I nearly shook my head, as if to tell him that I wasn’t on a date, but what difference would that make to him? I probably imagined the moment we had, even if he did say that he could never touch me because he wouldn’t stop. He hadn’t made any sort of move after that.
Ford took a sip of his coffee, locking his focus with me for two long seconds before turning and walking away. Right as he got to the front door, he ripped down the bell that hung above the frame.
I tried to fight a smile, but lost.
“So, what do you think, babe?”
Still watching the door, I rolled my eyes before turning back to Julian. “I already have a band booked, but I’m happy to keep your friend on the callback list.”
“There’s no way to push her up?” he all but begged.
“No, Julian. There’s not. These bands applied for their slot months ago. I’m not going to bump them for your friend who is randomly stopping through town.”
He began attempting to convince me, but I pushed his voice out and thought back to what my dad said about how Julian couldn’t keep me safe. He’d never been more right.
All I needed to do was officially cut him loose.
Rodney works for the mob.
Rodney works for Max.
What if Rodney worked for the devil?
Rodney serial killer?
My chin was propped against my palm as I wrote out my thoughts and crossed them off as I considered the likelihood of each idea. I had a pink planner in front of me with stickers, Post-its and markers. I didn’t care where I was, I brought them with me everywhere.
“This seat taken?” Someone slid onto the stool next to me, breaking my concentration. I fought the goose bumps erupting along my arms as I turned toward the hazel eyes already watching me. His voice sounded as rough as gravel and yet it grazed my ear as smooth as glass.
“Itwasholding my jacket, laptop bag, and purse,” I couldn’t help but smile at how Ford looked perched there, among my things. He hadn’t moved a single item.
“So, no, then?”
“What are you doing here?” Why did my voice sound so flirtatious, like I was one of the girls from the club, simpering in his presence.
Charlie gazed at me briefly, and I held up two fingers. With a nod, my favorite bartender turned his back to us and prepared our drinks.
“Did you just order for me?”
The music blared, so I had to dip my face closer to say, “Charlie makes the best drinks. Trust me, you’ll like this one.”
“So whatever he gives me, that one is your favorite?”
“I guess you could say that.” I tilted my head in curiosity. “Why?”
He shifted slightly. “I think you might have been right about how I don’t exactly know you anymore.”
I didn’t know what to say, but his knee shifted to where it touched mine.
“So tell me what else. You like getting tattoos?”
My face felt warm. “I do but I collect them like secrets. Placing them in places no one can see.”
His mouth twitched, right as the drinks were slid in front of us. He eyed the planner in front of me and lifted his chin. “You like to be organized?”
