Page 38 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

“The shop. About three years after I took it over from Granddad, I had a guy ask if he could buy it. I got greedy and asked for twice what he’d offered. He told me to shove it and left town. After that, I regretted it for years. Until one day, I just . . . didn’t. I wouldn’t give that shop up for anything in the world.”

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Someday, I’d pass it down to Wyatt if he had any interest. At the moment, I was just glad it was me and not some other lucky bastard who had the only tow truck in town and had been sent to rescue Londyn.

“I’m glad you didn’t sell your shop,” she said. “We don’t know each other well, but I honestly can’t imagine you doing anything else.”

“Same here.” I’d found my dream job at eighteen. Not many could say that.

We ate the rest of our pies, talking about nothing, until both plates were clear and my stomach bulged. I paid the check, shooting Londyn a scowl when she reached for her purse. Then I followed her out of the diner, ignoring the eyes on us as I placed my hand on the small of her back.

“May I give you a ride?” I asked, waving to my truck down the block.

“How’d you know where I was? Wait.” She held up her hand. “Let me guess. Meggie.”

“You’d be correct.” I walked to the truck.

Londyn stayed on the sidewalk. “If I get in with you, what kind of payback can I expect from your ex-wife?”

I grumbled and kicked at a stone on the sidewalk. “I don’t know. I don’t know what she’s thinking.”

She wasn’t, that was the problem. Moira had likely done her worst already, but I also hadn’t had a woman in my life like Londyn. Sure, the others had been nice. I’d enjoyed dating them. But Londyn was different. There was passion and urgency. She was leaving and I was determined to make the most of this while I had the chance.

We were moving at warp speed here—no choice otherwise. That wouldn’t escape Moira’s notice. Neither would the hole left behind when Londyn left Summers.

“It doesn’t matter.” She stepped off the curb, meeting me by the door. “I’m not scared of your ex-wife.”

Of course she wasn’t. I grinned. “Good.”

“We have an audience,” she whispered.

“Yep,” I whispered back. “Why do people think that just because I’m standing outside and they’re sitting inside behind a window, we can’t see them?”

Londyn giggled. “I can feel them staring.”

“I want to kiss you.” I inched closer.

Londyn rose up slightly off her heels. “But you probably shouldn’t.”

“No.” Not with half the damn town staring. And not before I had a discussion with Wyatt.

I reached past her and opened the truck’s door. Londyn climbed in, letting me shut her in, before I rounded the tailgate for my own side.

I frowned at the people in the diner, still staring, then started up the engine and backed away. Hell, I hadn’t kissed her, but just taking her to the motel would probably stir the rumor mill.

“Why do I have a feeling that after tonight, a lot more people will know my name?” she asked.

I chuckled. “Small-town life.”

She hummed.

Was that a good hum? Or a bad? She seemed to like this small town, for the time being. But I wasn’t going to get my hopes up that Londyn would stay.

“What are we doing tomorrow?” she asked as the motel’s sign came into view down the street.

“You assume we’ll be doing something together?” I teased.

“Yes.”