Page 5 of Forsaking Midnight
Piece of shit.
Maybe I should feel remorse for taking a life. Maybe that’s what a better man would do.
But I don’t.
“It’s cute you pretend to know anything about me.”
She tilts her head. “Tell me… Do they have a new boss lined up, or are you still waiting at the basement door like a loyal mutt?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know a dog when I see one,” she says.
“Keep pushing, Genevieve.”
I lean forward and she mimics the motion, close enough to see the flecks in her green irises and every freckle on her face.
“Why can’t you take the hint that nobody wants you here, Lance?”
The words hook behind my ribs and squeeze.
Fuck. Her.
“Just because Art lets you play bartender doesn’t make you privy to what’s really happening here. You think nobody wants me? Take a look in the mirror.”
“I think I know what it looks like when a guy’s in over his head and taking it out on everyone else.”
“You don’t know shit about me or my life.” I grip the edge of the bar so tightly my knuckles ache. “Do us both a favor and shut the fuck up.”
The front door swings open, the little red bell above it chiming sharply, and Art storms inside, pale cheeks flushed, and auburn hair mussed from the wind.
Genevieve and I jump apart, and it’s only then I realize how close we were, how that scent she’s always wearing will linger on my skin.
Christ.Even being near her affects me negatively.
“Good, you’re both here,” Art says, unwrapping the scarf from his neck.
“Unfortunately,” Genevieve mutters.
I turn my back to her and face him. “What’s up?”
His gaze floats between us. “We have a problem.”
Chapter 2
Genevieve
Rosebrook Falls, Connecticut, is a town that doesn’t welcome outsiders.
It tolerates them…barely. And only if we keep our heads down and mouths shut.
Luckily, I’m great at both.
Except, it would seem, when it comes to Lance Calloway.
And maybe that’s on me. Maybe I let him under my skin too much. Maybe I’ve been poking at him because it’s easier than acknowledging how he watches me like he’s waiting for me to fuck up.
I don’t like him.
