Page 5 of Tempt (Peachwood Falls #1)

“My mom’s best friend, Maggie, is going out of town for a month to see her daughter.

Mom was supposed to watch Maggie’s granddaughter,” I say, using air quotes.

“She’s fourteen and testing lots of limits.

They don’t want her home alone while her dad is at work especially considering he might be working out of town for stretches at a time. ”

“ Oh . Okay. I see.”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I’m sure it will be fine, even though I’m staying in Maggie’s son’s house, and I’ve never met him before.”

His smile stretches from ear to ear. “That could get interesting quick.”

“I suppose it could, but Maggie said he’s working all the time now, and I probably won’t even see him. Besides, he’s her son. I’m sure he’s as nice as they come.”

Gavin nods his head.

“You’re odd,” I say.

He laughs. “I’m just thinking about how having to be with kids all the time must be the worst job in the world. I buy condoms by the boatload to avoid that situation.”

“I like kids. I thought I’d have a few of them by now.”

“Not me. That’s not in my future.”

“It’s not in mine either because I can’t find a man with daddy potential.”

“I’m not touching that,” he says, making me laugh.

My glass creates a ring of moisture on the bar top. I grab a coaster and slide it under the drink.

“Gav!” a voice yells from the back.

He holds up a finger and disappears behind the swinging doors into the kitchen again. I start to text Calista the dollar pictures when a text pops up.

Calista: I did some digging.

Me: STOP.

Calista: You don’t even know the guy you’re moving in with, Megs. Someone has to look out for you.

Me:

Calista: He doesn’t have an online presence AT ALL. Nothing.

Me: That’s a good thing.

Calista: That’s a weird thing.

Me: Will you relax?

Calista: What if he’s a creep? What if he has some kink, and you wake up in the middle of the night, and he’s standing in the corner with his dick in his hand?

Me: Then that’ll be more dick than I’ve seen in a while.

Calista: I AM BEING SERIOUS.

I consider telling her about Diesel Guy but stop short of spilling the goods. Instead, she’ll call me for all the details I don’t have.

I’ll wait until we’re face-to-face.

Gavin comes through the doorway with a bag.

Me: I’ll call you tomorrow. My food is here. Thanks for having my best interest at heart.

Calista: Love you, fool.

I laugh and set the phone on the counter.

“The kitchen thought this was to go,” Gavin says, frowning. “I’ll grab a plate.”

“No, that’s fine—perfect, actually. I’d rather take it back to my room and get myself sorted for tomorrow anyway.”

He sets the bag on the counter. A coy smile plays on his lips. “Are you nervous?”

“A little. It’s growing as I sit here.” And think about Calista’s warnings . I reach for the cash in my pocket. “I should’ve drunk my dinner.”

“Put your money away. Dinner is on me,” Gavin says.

“What? No . You aren’t buying my dinner. Why would you do that?”

He shoves the bag toward me. “You’ve had a hell of a day. Sounds like the guy who stopped to help you gave you a hard time, and who knows what will happen tomorrow?”

My jaw falls open. “Gee, thanks. Did you miss that whole part about me being nervous? Because that doesn’t help.”

“I’m not saying something bad will happen,” he says, rolling his eyes. “I’m just … saying .”

I put a five-dollar bill on the counter for a tip and grab the bag. “I am going to let you buy my dinner for making me worry about that all night.”

He grins cheekily.

“You are officially my only friend here, Gavin. Congratulations. If tomorrow is a shit show, I’ll be back for therapy.”

“Tell you what,” he says, tossing the towel he had earlier over his shoulder. “If tomorrow is shitty, I’ll listen to you whine and buy your dinner again.”

“ Oh , you’re now my best friend here, even if Patti pans out in the friend arena.”

He snorts. “I’ll beat Patti for that title even if she makes it into the friend arena.”

I laugh. “Good night, Gavin.”

“Night.”

“ Night, Tucker .”

He throws up a hand in a salute without looking at me. I kind of love this guy.

I head for the door and step out into the cool night air.

My spirits are surprisingly good, considering the ridiculousness of the day. Although, physically, I’m disjointed from the traveling, and emotionally, I’m stressed from the anticipation of tomorrow.

I need to eat and get to bed.

My phone buzzes as I start splashing back across the street. No cars are coming either way, so I tuck my take-out bag under my arm. Then I slip out my phone.

Calista: He won an award.

Me: Calista …

Calista: He was Lineman of the Year two years ago. That’s electrician speak, not football speak, to clarify.

Me: Noted. I just got a burger and made a friend. I’m going to try to relax and get some sleep, so enough with the private eye work, okay?

Calista: Did you tell them you have a best friend already?

Me: LOL. Is that all you took out of that?

Calista: I mean it. You already have a best friend.

Me: I know.

I step onto the sidewalk in front of The Ridges.

Calista: Love you. Call me if you need me. CHARGE YOUR PHONE.

Me: Good night. Love you.

Calista: Night, love bug.

I laugh and make my way to the front of the hotel.

Burger. Brush teeth. Bed.

I grin.

I’ll try not to imagine a hot, green-eyed grump in bed with me.