"I was curious, that's all," I argued. "I don't want to bang her."
I so wanted to bang her.
Whitney rolled her eyes. "Sure. Because I like you, some of the time, I'll tell you I haven't seen her today. She went home after the market looking tired. I guess us locals wore her out." A crease crossed her brow, just for a moment. One that for some reason made concern settle on my shoulders.
I told myself I didn't give a shit. Why would I? She clearly disliked me as much as I disliked her. The smart thing to do would be to stay the fuck away from her. But no one ever claimed I was smart. Including me.
"Okay, I think we're done here," I grabbed up the washcloths to take them out back and throw them in the washing machine. "Thanks for the help."
"Any time, bro." She grabbed up her bag and phone and headed out the door.
I watched the door for a minute or two after she left before I made up my mind. I stuck my head into Dad's office.
"I'm heading out for a bit. Everything's ready for tonight."
He glanced at me, his face an older version of mine. Grey hair at his temples, hazel eyes a bit more faded than mine. Button down shirt rolled up to his elbows and jeans that had seen better days. Hell, everything in the office had seen better days. Including the old desktop computer in front of him. How was that piece of shit still running? Slowly, if I had to guess.
I made a mental note to talk to Whitney about putting our money together to buy him a new one for Christmas. That wasthe only way he'd accept something like that from us. Except for me, Jacob Ferguson was the proudest man I knew.
He nodded. "Thanks, son. I appreciate the help." He always looked like asking me to come to work here full-time was on the tip of his tongue. He never did though. He knew I was committed to my business with Riley. Some day I'd take over from him, but for now I was too busy having fun and feeding the adrenaline junkies. Sitting behind a desk for hours at a time didn't appeal to me. Would it ever? That was a question for future me.
"Yeah, any time." I backed out and slipped out the back of the building.
My hands in my pockets, I strode down the main street of town, nodding to the people I passed, but not stopping for a chitchat. Every single face I went by was one I'd known since I was a kid. I could tell you what they did for a living, where they lived and who their friends were. I knew their favourite drinks and how they took them. I knew who skied, who snowboarded, and who preferred to sit in front of a fire and keep warm.
I'd been to the city plenty of times and it always felt so impersonal. No one said hello to anyone else and no one knew your business. Sometimes that was a good thing. Sometimes not. In a place like this, you got used to nosy neighbours. Most of us fit that category.
Trying to look like I wasn't up to anything at all, I strode past a couple of hotels on the edge of town. One a little fancier than the other. We got all sorts here. People wanting a five-star experience and those who wanted something a bit more budget friendly. When people arrived in town ready to spend their money, we weren't too fussy about their means.
Across a side street was the cottage where Fiona lived with her kid, Sarah. Fiona was mouthy as fuck, but Sarah was okay. Except she'd probably grow up just like her mother. Mouthy andgiving the boys a hard time every chance she got. Hell, she was probably doing that already.
I stopped outside the cottage beside hers, looking for some sign to tell if Leah was home or not.
I should walk away.Chances were she wouldn't open the door to me anyway. Irritated by that thought, I marched over to the front door and hammered on it. If she was home, she better open up.
After a few moments, the shuffle of footsteps came from inside. The door opened slowly.
I stared. "You look like hell."
9
LEAH
I should have listenedto my instincts and not opened the door. Having to lever myself off the couch and make my way over was difficult enough. Every step, slow and painful.
Then to see him standing there, just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse.
Fucking great.
He looked me up and down, his brows dipped low. "You look like shit."
"Thanks." I started to close the door, but his hand shot out and pushed it open.
"What happened to you?" He followed me when I took a couple of faltering steps back.
"Nothing, I'm perfectly fine." I wasn't fine. Far from it, but I didn't need him in my business.
"Bullshit." He closed the door behind him. "Your feet are swollen. Your legs too. Fuck." He rubbed a hand over the back of his head.
