Page 110 of Stay With Me

He hands me a twenty. “Keep the change,Magnolia.”

I don’t like the way he says my name or holds onto the bill a second too long before releasing it. And I especially don’t like when he winks at me as if I’m in on some creepy secret.

But for the sake of staying professional, I thank him and put the rest in my tip jar.

“Have a great rest of your day,” I say, hoping he gets the hint to walk away.

When he finally does, I help the customer behind him but subtly watch as he goes to his blacked-out Denali.

Yeah, he’s definitely not from here.

By the time I finish work, take an everything shower—where I exfoliate, do a hair mask with avocado oil, extra moisturizer, and shave every inch of unwanted body hair—get dressed with my new black lingerie underneath, pack an overnight bag, and collect all my coffee ingredients, it’s after six before I get to Tripp’s place. He’s freshly clean and looking even more delicious than usual.

“I’ve missed you.” He captures my lips before I even step inside.

“Mm...I’ve missed you more.” I lean into the kiss as he cups my cheeks and then I slide my hands around his waist. “I have a couple bags to bring in.”

“Stay here. I’ll grab ’em for you.” He pecks my lips once more before going out to my car, and I wait for him at the breakfast bar.

I watch as he effortlessly carries in my mini espresso maker from home, my bag of syrups, milk, and toppings, and then my overnight bag.

“I can’t believe you brought this all in with one trip.”

“I’m used to liftin’ two hay bales at a time for a solid hour. This was nothing.”

He flexes his biceps as if to prove his point, and I laugh at how confident he looks.

“Oh, would you mind grabbin’ my purse for me, please? It’s on the passenger seat.”

“Yep.” He kisses my temple as I stand and start organizing everything.

My espresso maker from home isn’t as precise as my expensiveone in the trailer, but it’ll do for taste testing. I have three new flavor combos I want him to try and maybe a fourth if he still hasn’t stripped me down to nothing.

“Magnolia.”

Tripp’s deep drawl using my real name has an icy shiver running down my spine. When I meet his eyes, they’re lethal as he holds up the rose and note from Travis I was supposed to take into my apartment last weekend. The rose is withering from days without water, but all I can focus on is Tripp’s tense jaw and tight grip on the piece of paper.

“What is this?” He slams them down on the counter. “And what the fuck did he do to you that he’s apologizing?”

I flinch at how angry he sounds. Telling him about him coming into my trailer will get him even more fired up.

“What aren’t you tellin’ me?” he prompts when I stay silent. When I struggle to get out the words, he steps closer, grabs my hand, and then tilts my chin until our gazes meet. “Sunny, tell me.Please.”

Finally, I blow out a hesitant breath and nod.

“He’s been beggin’ me to take him back, and when I blocked his number, he showed up when I was closing. When he wouldn’t leave, I kicked him in the balls, stepped on his wrist, and threatened him with my taser. Then I might’ve said something along the lines of the Hollis boys digging me a six-foot hole and helpin’ me push his body inside.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters with a breathy laugh. “When was this?”

“Last Tuesday when you got held up at The Lodge.”

“That motherfucker.” He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“The last thing I want is for you to get in trouble again because of me. I didn’t want you to get involved because Travis is nothing to me and he’s not worth going to jail for.”

He cups my face and plucks my lower lip out from my teeth. “Stop worryin’ about me and feelin’ guilty about what happened last time.Even knowin’ I’d have to do a hundred hours of community service, I’d do it all over again if it meant keepin’ you safe and away from him.”

“He’s just lookin’ for trouble and if you give him a reason, he’ll fight you. I don’t wanna see you get hurt either. So it’s better if you stay away from him.”