Page 14 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
Letting them share my booth had been a bad decision. A very, very bad decision. Clearly one carafe of coffee was not enough for me to think rationally at this time of day. There was no way I could be squished up against Silas’s side like this for an entire meal without him noticing my quickened breaths and clenched thighs.
Sexual-tension issues aside, the booths at the café could comfortably hold four people. Four normal-sized people. Not me plus three brutes.
“Maybe we should move to a table? You two look like sardines smashed together over there.” I hoped that Jess and Beau would agree. The center of the room was filled with square tables and if we switched seats, Silas and I would at least have a corner between us.
“We’re good,” Jess said.
Damn.
Silas flagged down the waitress and we all ordered the cook’s famous breakfast hash before we started chatting. “You said your movers are getting here today?”
“Yeah. Probably around ten. I already checked out of the motel so I’ll be ready when they pull in.”
“Need any help?” Jess asked.
“Nope. This crew I hired is amazing. They pack everything up for you, haul it over and then unload it too. They’ll even set up my furniture. All I will have to do is unpack the boxes.”
“Where are—” Silas was interrupted when my phone rang on the table between us. He looked down and shoved it toward me.
My lip curled and I growled at the sight of Tyson’s name. “Sorry,” I muttered before declining the call. I really needed to change his contact picture. It was an old selfie of me kissing his cheek.
“What were you saying?” I asked Silas.
“Nothing,” he clipped. His jaw was clenched and his nostrils were flaring.
“What’s wrong with you?” Jess asked him.
“Headache. I need coffee.” He grabbed the empty carafe and stomped up to the counter.
I guess he didn’t like that picture much either. Whatever. By the time Silas returned, he seemed to have found a better mood and I was able to relax again. Well, kind of relax. His leg was still firmly touching mine.
We all visited while waiting for our food and it was nice to catch up with Beau. I learned he worked for the Forest Service and was the head of Jamison Valley’s Search and Rescue team. Conversation quieted once our food arrived and we commenced shoveling.
“Want to come over for dinner tonight?” Jess asked as the waitress cleared our emptied plates.
“Thanks, but I’ve got plans. Jack and Annie invited me over.”
“You’re good with that?” he asked. He knew how hard it would be for me to set foot on the Drummond farm.
I shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out.”
“Okay. Call if you need anything. I gotta get to the station.”
“Yeah. I’ve got to get going too,” Beau said. “Good to see you, Feli
city. Don’t be a stranger.”
I waved good-bye and waited for Silas to slide out too but he stayed firm at my side.
“Did you ever tell Jess about what happened?” he asked quietly.
I shook my head. “No. Did you?”
“You asked me not to.” He stood from the seat and pulled on his baseball hat. “You sure you don’t need any help moving?”
“I’m sure. Thanks, though.”
“Okay. Have a good one,” he said with a quick nod.
