One Look: A grumpy, single dad small town romance(44)

“Oh god.” Lark burst out laughing, and the happy sound rippled through me. “I moved it into the spare room, but now I think I should just burn it.”

The laughter between us died down, and awkwardness took its place. Satisfied that she was well fed, I cleared my throat. “I should get going. The guys will be back soon.”

Lark set the bowl to her side. “Yeah, good idea. See you tomorrow?”

I nodded and rubbed my hands down the front of my jeans, unsure of what to do with them.

I took one step away but then leaned back to drop a kiss on her cheek before heading straight for the door.





19





LARK





By Thursday night, I found myself comfortably surrounded by the chatter of the Bluebird Book Club. Prepared this time, I brought a tray of mini pastries I had begged Huck to set aside for me. For some reason, I really wanted to make a good impression. Though I knew I wasn’t staying in Outtatowner long term, I sought their approval—their acceptance of me into their little secret society.

MJ wasn’t there, which was a shame. She was quiet and sweet, and the whole rivalry between her family and the Sullivans was fascinating.

Annie breezed into the book club. Her contribution was a bottle of champagne, and I happily accepted a fizzy paper cup full to the brim.

“Are we celebrating?” I took a sip, and the bubbles tickled my nose.

Annie lifted a shoulder and smiled. “Life is always a celebration at book club.”

“Fair enough.” I lifted my paper cup and tapped it against hers and sipped. “Mmm. This is really good.”

Annie’s grin widened. “I got it from Charles Attwater. He’s some award-winning sommelier from New York, and he’s opening a new wine shop a few storefronts down. When I bumped into him and we started talking, he gave me a bottle to try. His place is going to be upscale. Small bites and wine pairings, that kind of thing.”

“Seems pretty smart. In a tourist town like this, he’ll make a killing.”

“Wine and cheese won’t be the only reason women flock to the store. He’s gorgeous. All charming smiles and tight shirts, and when he starts talking about tasting notes”—Annie sighed—“I get all mushy inside.”

She took a healthy gulp of the champagne. “Thank god he’s not a King.” Her eyes immediately flew to Bug, who was on an emerald-green settee a few spots down. “No offense.”

Annie shifted in her seat and focused on me. “So what about you? Settling in? Word around town is you’re getting pretty cozy with our resident golden boy.” She winked as she teased, but I could already feel the heat coloring my cheeks.

“Penny’s great.” Deflecting was a skill I’d mastered a long time ago. “The boys are pretty easy. Tutoring Kevin has taken up a good chunk of most days, but it also keeps him out of trouble.”

“And Wyatt?” Annie smiled innocently.

“Busy. He says the upcoming season should be a good one. Practice will start up closer to fall, but for now it’s a lot of meetings, I think.”

A flash of Wyatt pausing to kiss my cheek before he left my apartment tumbled through my mind. After all that had happened between us, it was the sweet little kiss that had haunted me for days.

“Mm-hmm.” She was not buying my play it cool bullshit. “You realize you have intimate access to one of the Midwest’s most eligible bachelors, and I am not believing for one second you haven’t thought about seeing him naked.”

I nearly choked on my champagne, and Annie laughed. After I recovered, I sighed. “I guess I’m just not interested in becoming one in a long string of women throwing myself at him.”

Let’s not forget that’s pretty much exactly what you already did. Such an idiot.

Annie shook her head. “Wyatt’s not like that.”

Curiosity got the best of me. “He isn’t?”

“He’s no Lee, if that’s what you’re asking.” Annie rolled her eyes. “I think he had a steady girlfriend all through high school. I’ve known Wyatt my whole life, and he’s never been a womanizer, as far as I can tell.” She made a grumpy face and deepened her voice. “He’s far too serious for that.”

I laughed at her spot-on impersonation of Wyatt. My budding friendship with Annie was easy. Fun. Though she was practically a Sullivan herself, it was so nice to have a girlfriend to confide in.

I leaned in close to whisper. “He does look pretty good naked, though.”

Annie’s arm shot up, champagne sloshing over the rim of the paper cup. “I knew it!”

Immediately, I shushed her and pulled her arm down with a giggle. “Stop! It’s not a big deal. We’re just friends.”

She laughed again and leaned in. “Yeah. Naked friends!”

“I’m serious. Penny and the boys don’t know. I’m here for the summer, and he’s got his hands full.”

“Hands full of that ass, maybe.”

We cackled again, drawing curious eyes our way. The champagne was definitely already going to my head.

“But tell me.” Annie wiggled her eyebrows. “Good, right?”

I exhaled and bent over. “So, so good. And he cooked for me afterward.”