Page 29 of Wilde Hearts

“I know it was wrong. I regret it more than you could ever know.”

I hated how my heart loved hearing those words. Right now, though, I needed to focus on my head, not my heart. Stopping, I turned to face him. “I’ve moved on, Colt. I told you already, you being back in River Falls makes no difference to me.”

Colt arched one brow. “Then why were you so against this lunch?”

“Just because I’ve moved on doesn’t mean I want to be your friend, either.”

“Does your being with Doug have something to do with this?”

I hated that Colt was under the impression I was dating Doug. Though, I recalled Doug, on the other hand, wanted him to believe it. He’d even suggested making Colt jealous, which I’d refused to go along with. I was serious when I said I wasn’t about to play games. That wasn’t my style.

“I’m not dating Doug. I did before, but things didn’t work out with us. We’re just friends.”

“He didn’t make it sound that way when he left your hotel room last night.”

I exhaled a heavy sigh and started walking again. “I drank too much at dinner last night. It was… It was a shock to see you. He helped me back to my room, that’s all.”

We walked for a few minutes in silence.

“I know you won’t believe me, but I am sorry I hurt you, Pip.”

The use of the old nickname made me close my eyes for a second. I pressed my lips together tightly and remained silent.

Colt held the door open for me at the World Market Deli, and I stepped inside. It smelled so good, and my stomach growled.

We both read the menu on the wall, neither of us speaking. I stepped forward and smiled at the young girl behind the counter.

“What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have the Rachel, corned beef on rye, please.”

“Is the Swiss cheese and Russian dressing okay?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Colt stepped up beside me. “It’s all on the same bill.”

The young girl flashed a wide smile as she gave him a long look. It took everything I had not to roll my eyes. Yes, Colt was handsome, even more so now that he was older. His dark hair was hidden by a baseball cap, but those honey-colored eyes still sparkled.

“I’ll have your pastrami Reuben on rye. Please make that two, as well as your house salad, Italian dressing on the side, please. The other sandwich and salad will be to go.”

“Any drinks?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at Colt. Did she have any idea he was at least ten years older than she was?

He glanced at me, and when I nodded, he said, “Two fountain drinks, please.”

When he pulled out his wallet, I put a hand on his arm. “I can get it.”

“Thank you, but I’ve got it.”

I took the offered cup and headed to get my drink. I spotted a table in the back corner and almost grabbed it. Instead, I walked to a two-seater right in the middle of the restaurant.

Colt saw where I was sitting and motioned to the table in the back. “Might offer a bit more privacy.”

“Why do we need privacy to talk business?”

He stared at me with a frustrated expression before finally giving up and sitting down.

“I already asked Gatlin to contact your father’s clients and let them know about his heart attack. I was going to move them over to my schedule, just until your father was back on his feet, but now you can reschedule them all.”