Page 41 of Secondhand Secrets

“The way Sarah talks about you I’m sure you’re a shoe-in, man.” Dean gave Chip a congratulatory clap on the back. Chip jolted from the impact but couldn’t pry his attention from Ally.

She still clutched at her purse in her lap, although now, her gaze drifted to Sarah behind the bar. He reached under the table for Ally’s hand, her stare hitting his, only to bounce to Dean and then back to Sarah. Just before she pulled her hand away.

Maybe he should have questioned her move, but in that moment, he wasn’t all that sure he deserved to. Or that he blamed her. What assurances had he given? Not that he had any to give, not with where his chance with Encode would take him.

He’d move up and move on. Meanwhile, she’d stay in Harlow and deal with the million-and-one questions and comments the townsfolk would have about this brief relationship.

He peered back at the bar, momentarily wondering how much of Ally’s aversion had to do with her quarrel with Sarah. How much had to do with her past feelings for Dean?

Even if Dean was a decent guy, undeserving of jealousy, the reminder of Ally’s infatuation alone left Chip’s stomach churning and an angry heat boring deep into his chest.

Focus on Ally.

So, he turned to her again and pretended he didn’t mind her keeping her distance in public, even though he did. “Want me to get you a drink?”

Her gaze snapped from the bar back to him, the strain around her eyes only easing slightly with her small nod. “White wine. Thanks.”

She moved to open her purse, but he left before she could offer any money.

Quick to make his way to the bar, Sarah soon leaned against the counter, her easy grin pointed at him. “What’s your poison now?”

“Just a white.”

An expected silence took over, her fading grin hinting at her recollection that white wine wasn’t his usual drink. As expected, her stare skidded to his table, no doubt quick to find Ally.

“Oh, for Ally?” She blinked up at him now, new wrinkles forming over her brow. “She’s welcome to come over here and ask for the drink herself, yah know? There’s no reason to keep avoiding me.”

He gave a light shrug, even though his sister’s clear and lingering animosity made him feel anything but light. “Maybe for you.”

Giving a small snort, she went about pouring the drink anyway. “Funny how she’s fine to sit with Dean though. She hasn’t been to Maynard’s for months but—”

Halfway to sliding the wine his way, she paused, fingers still clutching the glass’s thin stem, the lines on her brow returning. Like she didn’t miss much, her mind already searching for reasons behind Ally’s sudden visit.

So, of course, he made quick with trying to distract her. “Ally’s being awkward around Dean too. You’re not so special.”

Sarah raised a brow and finished handing him the drink, one side of her lip creeping upward. “Why is Ally here tonight, anyway?”

Her attention washed over him, and all the lightness in her expression collapsed, suggesting he didn’t need to answer. “Say it isn’t so.”

He gave another disingenuous shrug. “How about I just say nothing?”

“Oh, Chip.” The weakness in her tone denoted concern over anger, concern the more unnerving emotion that prompted him to step away.

Whatever warnings or doubts she had, he already nursed his own. The last thing he wanted was to hear those doubts spoken out loud.

“I’ll speak to you later.” He swept up the wine glass in his hand and made to leave.

“Let me talk to her.”

Sarah’s offer left him pausing midstep before he eventually found the ability to keep his back to her and lengthened his retreat. “You’re a good egg, Sarah Overton, but not today. Just not today.”

Things with Ally already stood rocky. Maybe that rockiness didn’t matter. He was leaving, after all. So, perhaps this latest issue was a good thing. Still, he didn’t want issues, much less his sister enlightening Ally with her hot takes on life.

Back at the table, Ally leaned closer to Jamie, Jamie’s backpack open in her lap and her laptop open on the table.

“What are you two doing?” He handed Ally her drink and sat beside her—yet more “fake casual” from him now that he also kept Sarah’s knowledge about them a secret. On top of what he’d withheld about Encode.

Jamie spun the screen toward him, the laptop alight with her editing program and one of her Japanese style princess drawings on the screen. A princess striking a combat pose. “Ally showed me some photos of her clay work, so it seemed only fair I’d show her my anime art.”

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