Page 16 of Falling Back to You

Remember, secrets didn’t exist in small towns. Everyone in Hume knew I used to be madly, truly, deeply in love with Ozzie. We hadn’t been a couple for years, but somehow my name always followed his—Ozzie and Dial. Yes, we had a daughter together, but that didn’t mean he got to claim me for the rest of his life. Ozzie and I were done. We were beyond done.

And I know what you’re going to say: I fucked Ozzie because it was convenient. I was busy and dating hadn’t been a priority, but I still had needs. Yes, it was wrong and all types of confusing, which was why I was on this date to begin with. I needed to get back out there, meet a nice fella and start building a new relationship.

We both perused the menu. I’d been to Melting Mozz hundreds of times and was ready with my order before we even walked through the door. I was going to order the small chicken Caesar salad pizza with extra dressing. We were in a corner booth. The waitress had tried sitting us near the front door, but I’d protested. The fewer eyes on us, the better. First dates were awkward enough; I didn’t need nosy townsfolk staring as we tried to bungle our way into a courtship. This was a test. If this date went well, then there could be another with Shelton, or maybe someone else. Granted, I’d probably have to do the asking, because most men had been on the receiving end of my harsh nos.

“Did I ever tell you I was scared of you in high school?” Shelton asked.

“Of me? Why?”

“You were just good at everything.”

“Except math.” I cracked a smile and twirled a finger around one of my locs. Flirting was foreign to me, I was so out of practice. But I had to admit that Shelton was giving me a chance to play the role of a delicate flower. And I was ready to lean into the fun and flirty version of Dial. I wanted someone who saw the specialness in me.

“Yeah, you sucked at math. But everything else, you killed it.”

A light and airy laugh rang from me, but Shelton’s gaze was focused on something in the distance. His face crumpled, his eyes crinkled in the corners, his mouth fell slack, and his hand had a death grip on the edge of the table.

“What’s so funny?” Ozzie appeared from nowhere, towering over our booth.

“What are you doing?” I reached for Shelton in the hopes of preventing a physical altercation.

The muscles in Ozzie’s jaw twitched as his gaze landed on the placement of my hand on Shelton’s forearm. “Ordering a pizza. Scooch.” He waved before sitting right next to me, forcing me to slide farther into the booth.

Oz’s presence sent my blood scrambling. The last thing I wanted was to give the patrons of Melting Mozz something to gossip about on Sunday morning. I wasn’t worried about me—Ozzie was a teddy bear with me. It was Shelton whose life was in danger.

Did you know male frogs croak loudly to attract a female, with the strongest croaker winning her attention?

He had no right butting in on my date. Dread washed over me as I braced myself for a boisterous display of dominance. Most men who spotted their ex-girlfriend out with another man would grab their pizza and leave. That would be a normal reaction, but not for Ozzie—he was territorial. And being his ex came with a lifetime membership to this shitshow.

4

Ozzie

Should I have remained at the bar, grabbed my to-go order, and bounced? Yes. When I’d walked into Melting Mozz, that was the plan. It was Saturday and I was child-free. I’d just wanted to pick up some food, head home, and watch professional farrier videos on social media. But while I waited for my order to be ready, I’d spotted a head full of curly locs.

Initially, I assumed Dial was out for a bite with Reese or one of her other friends, but I craned my neck until it popped witnessing Shelton Krause smile at Dial like she was on the menu, and he wanted a sample. Instinctually, I hopped off my barstool and headed to their booth. Shelton spotted me first, and his eyes telegraphed his surprise.

Now, sitting in the booth next to Dial, I was full of questions. “Is it date night?” I kept my tone pleasant, not wanting to show up as the jealous ex right out the gate. I’d give this unlikely situation some time to marinate. Maybe Shelton was helping her with her taxes.

“Actually, it is. Dial and I were enjoying a pleasant evening.”

“Yeah, until you showed up.” Dial’s mink-hued eyes were aflame. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you, picking up food. What are you doing here?” She was not wearing her typical denim uniform. Most of the time, Dial dressed like a dude, in Dockers, jeans, or overalls. Men didn’t realize what they were in for because her baggy clothes concealed her curves. But Dial had a fat ass and thighs to match.

Those thighs were currently on display in her too-short dress. And her scent was floral and flirty, like she was a peach, and my mouth watered at the thought of taking a bite. She’d even polished her nails a cheerful shade of pink. For Shelton, of all people! She’d gone out of her way to doll herself up with a pretty dress, her cowboy boots with gold detailing, and makeup. Her cheeks were rosy, her lashes long, and her eyes were shaped like a cat. Then there were her shiny brown lips, announcing just how kissable they were.

“Shelton and I are minding our business. Something you could take lessons in.”

“Shelton and you?” I rolled their names over in my head and it just felt wrong. “Shelton, period. Dial, period.” I spaced my hands far apart to drive my point home.

“You need to leave,” Dial said through clenched teeth.

“Or maybe I should join you. I’d love a chance to reminisce. How’s the family, Shelly?”

Shelton’s eyes narrowed at the off-putting nickname, but he didn’t protest. “They’re good. Mom’s been nursing a cold for a few weeks, but she’s past the worst of it.”

Dial flashed him an incredulous expression. She expected Shelton to tell me to fuck off, but he wasn’t built like that. Shelly had been taught to be polite, even when another man was squeezing in on his face time with the delectable Dial Birch.