Chapter Six
Kane heard the bell and walked from the back room to greet the customer. “Hey, welcome to Ziggy’s Tours…”
His voice trailed off when he spotted Sierra. She shifted from foot to foot, obviously uncomfortable at the surprise meeting. Since their confrontation a week ago, he’d tried to shut off any type of thought or emotion regarding the woman who’d crushed his heart.
Ridiculous, since she owed him shit. But her scathing words had cut, distorting that night into something else. It was as if a treasured memory was a gift, once perfectly wrapped, now torn to pieces and impossible to put back together. How asinine to think she’d been haunted by him all these years. He’d romanticized the whole damn thing.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” She cleared her throat. “I’m supposed to meet Aspen here. Her car is at the shop and she needed a ride to the bookstore.”
“She went out with Brick to see the horses. I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
“Okay. I’ll wait outside.”
“No need. It’s hot as hell, take a seat.” He almost winced at the obvious discomfort on her face. They’d already agreed to put the past behind them. Was it that damn painful to be in the same room? Annoyed, he pushed. “Want some coffee or tea?”
“No, thank you.” She sat in one of the cushioned chairs and whipped out her phone,
dismissing him.
Irritation hit. He took his own coffee over and deliberately sat across from her. “How’ve you been?”
She looked up, a tiny crease between her brow. He was already questioning the move to be near her. The scent of wildflowers drifted around him. Her outfit consisted of tiny white shorts that showed off endless expanse of bare leg, a red blouse that tied in the front, and red sandals with polka dot stacked heels. She’d pinned her hair up but some caramel strands loosened, framing her heart-shaped face. Tortoise shell sunglasses were perched on top of her head. Gold hoops hung from her lobes. Her lips were painted a deep blush pink, currently matching her cheeks.
“Good.”
“You own a store, right?”
Her entire body stilled. Kane watched her with interest as she seemed to sense danger. “Yep. When are you heading back to New York?”
He stretched out his legs. “Don’t know.”
Those hazel eyes glinted with a touch of worry. “I’m sure you’re bored to tears here.”
“Not really. I like working for Brick.”
The snort escaped her plump lips. “Doubt it’s half the thrill as Global Enterprises and million-dollar deals.”
Kane tilted his head, surprised. She’d done a search on him. Enough to know where he previously worked. Was she simply curious or was there something he kept missing? He didn’t question her in case she closed up. “True. But maybe I’ve been missing out on other things.”
The flare of panic threw him off, but then Brick and Aspen walked in.
Sierra flew out of her chair. “Hey, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Her sister sighed. “I’m so sorry—I forgot to text you that Brick said he’d give me a ride. I suck.”
Sierra shook her head but was smiling. “That writer’s brain of yours is a killer.”
Brick laughed. “I’m starting to understand now I need to fight for her attention with imaginary people.”
“Stop! Listen, I just have to sign some stock and then we’re grabbing lunch. Come with us.”
“Okay, sounds like fun.”
Brick moved to the counter. “We have no tours till three so let’s just close, Kane. You both can hop in our car.”
The reaction was instantaneous.
