Page 92 of Small Town Sizzle

I close her door and walk around to my side, determined to ease her tension somehow. When I climb into the driver’s seat, I don’t start the engine right away. Instead, I turn toward her, watching the way she’s chewing her bottom lip, staring straight ahead like she’s lost in thought.

“Maya,” I say softly, my hand reaching for hers. She finally looks at me, her wide eyes betraying the emotions she’s trying so hard to contain. “What’s going on?”

She opens her mouth to answer, but whatever she’s about to say is lost in a nervous laugh. “It’s nothing,” she says, shaking her head. “I’m just overthinking everything, as usual.”

I don’t buy it for a second. “Overthinking what?” I ask, leaning in a little closer. “You can tell me.”

Her lips press together, and then she looks down at our joined hands, her fingers tightening slightly around mine.

“It’s just been a long day,” she says finally.

I don’t push her, even though I want to. I know her well enough to know she’ll talk when she’s ready. Instead, I let go of her hand, unbuckle her seatbelt, and pull her toward me. She gasps softly, but before she can say anything, my lips are on hers.

It starts as a gentle kiss, a way to ground her, but the second her body melts against mine, it shifts into something deeper. Her hands grip my shirt, and I feel her relax for the first time all night. She kisses me back with an intensity that makes my pulse spike, her body leaning into mine as if she can’t get close enough. When we finally pull apart, she’s breathless, her cheeks flushed.

There’s a pounding on the door and I look up to see my brother dying laughing.

“No making out in the parking lot,” he yells before Laura pulls him away.

Maya and I both laugh.

“There. That’s better.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m at your service,” I tease with a wink. “Especially if it ends with you smiling at me like that.”

She rolls her eyes playfully as I start the car and pull out of the parking lot. It’s late, and most places are closed, so we’re heading to a pizza place that stays open for the night owls and the late-shift workers. It’s not fancy, but it’s one of those local spots where the food is always good, and you don’t have to think too hard about what to order. It’s exactly what we need tonight.

“You’re fine with getting it to go, right?” I ask her.

“Yeah, we can go back to my place, if you’d like.”

“I would.”

“You’re so easy, Mr. McAlister,” she giggles as we walk toward the door.

“When it comes to you, I am,” I flirt.

“Garrett!” someone calls out.

My stomach sinks. I don’t even have to turn around to know it’s Natalie.

I grit my teeth and keep walking, pretending I didn’t hear her. Maybe if I ignore her, she’ll get the hint.

Maya notices, of course. “Who’s that?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder.

“No one,” I mutter. “I don’t want to talk to her. I’ll explain later.”

But Natalie has never been the type to be ignored. Before we can reach the door, she scurries over and steps right in front of us, blocking our path. Her eyes flick to Maya, and the disdain on her face is unmistakable. She looks Maya up and down like she’s sizing her up, then turns her attention back to me.

“So, this is why you don’t want to be married to me anymore?” she says, her voice dripping with venom. “You want to play house with this little country bumpkin?”

Maya snorts—loudly. I glance at her in surprise, and she quickly covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with mock innocence. Natalie’s gaze snaps to her, her expression darkening.

“Oh, you think this is funny, you little homewrecker?” Natalie snaps, her tone sharp. “You think he’s so great now, don’t you? Let me guess—he’s sweet, attentive, makes you feel like you’re the only woman in the world?”

Maya doesn’t respond, just raises an eyebrow as if to sayAnd?