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Grace could feel his eyes on her as they drove farther into town. He wasn’t happy about something. The tension hadn’t completely gone away—not even after Faye’s comment. They’d have to figure out how to dispel it later. Right now wouldn’t be an option. Not with Faye as their willing audience.

21

Riley

That tight, unyielding sensation filled his stomach. He felt like he was drowning again. The way Grace had acted when she arrived to pick him up had been startling at best. He’d thought they had gotten past the awkward beginning stages. In fact, he’d been considering bringing up meeting her father again.

But after the way she’d acted in front of Faye, he knew better. Grace had been hiding their relationship. He couldn’t help but feel like she was ashamed of him. And who wouldn’t be? She knew enough about his past. Why would she want to share any of that with her family and friends?

He was broken.

He’d come to this town solely because he wasn’t following the law. What kind of woman would want to have a guy like him meet her father and sisters? Not a sane one.

Riley didn’t deserve to have a girl like her. That much was clear. He just hadn’t allowed himself to see the truth of it.

He chanced a look out of the corner of his eye toward her, and those desperate thoughts continued to drag him down into the depths of frustration and pain. She shifted in her seat and fidgeted.

If he wanted to do something to fix this, he’d have to finally dig his heels in and fight for it. Riley didn’t know where she lived—that was the only thing holding him back. That and not having his motorcycle.

But now he had access to her sister. Faye might be willing to give him some extra information. He just had to get her alone. Somehow he knew that if Grace was nearby when he asked, she’d prevent him from getting anything from Faye and his plan would fail.

They found parking near the hub of town and everyone climbed out of the truck. The three of them wandered down the sidewalk. Riley reached for Grace’s hand, half-expecting her to pull away from him the second he did.

Surprisingly, she let him lace his fingers within hers and she leaned into him. The sensation was reminiscent of their first date when they danced to no music, and a wave of peace crashed over him. Perhaps he’d been overreacting to how she was behaving.

He had to remind himself that while she was mature for her age, she was still young and with that came certain tendencies. Riley lifted her hand to his lips and watched for a reaction as he kissed the back of it.

A small smile touched her lips. Good. All was not lost.

“What do you say we get a coffee to warm us up?” Grace tilted her face toward him. “I think it will help me not be so on edge.”

“Oh, is that what you call it?” he joked, loving the way her cheeks filled with a little color.

She gave him a playful shove. “I was thrown off a little when Faye asked to come. I didn’t know how you would react.”

“Me?” He glanced over his shoulder to where Faye wandered a few feet behind them. “I’ve told you before. I’d love to meet your family as soon as you’d let me.”

Grace grimaced. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea yet. My dad is—”

He shook his head. “The longer you wait, the harder it becomes. We really should—”

“I’m going in here, guys.”

They stopped and turned toward Faye, who had stopped beside a bookstore. “There’s a new book I really want to get.”

Grace offered her sister a wave. “We’re going to get some coffee. You want some?”

Faye shook her head. “No thanks.”

“Actually, a book sounds nice. Mind if I look around while you go get the coffee?” It was a weak excuse but possibly the only opportunity he had to get Faye alone long enough to ask her a few questions.

Grace glanced over to where Faye had just disappeared inside the store, then looked up at him. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.”

He kissed her quickly on the cheek. “I’ll miss you.”

She shot him a funny look and shook her head. “I’ll literally be like five minutes.”

“I’ll still miss you.”