Page 79 of Ravish

“Damn,” she muttered.

“Who is he?” Colby asked.

“My ex.” Lara opened the door and stepped out before Colby could stop her. He hopped out and hurried to her side.

“What do you want, Walter?”

“I—” Her ex broke off when Colby joined them. “What is he doing here?” His voice rose as he glared at Colby.

“It’s none of your business. Go home.” Lara kept her tone steady, but Colby could hear the frustration in it.

“It is my business; you’re my wife.”

“Ex-wife and I have been for almost four years.”

“Your parents—”

“I don’t care what my parents want. Get that through your head. We’re divorced. We’re not getting back together. I’ve moved on, Walter, it’s time you did too.” Lara tilted her head up. “Let’s go inside, Colby.”

Colby kept his arm around Lara’s waist and guided her past Walter. There was movement to his right, and suddenly, Lara spun in his hold.

“Don’t you fucking touch me.” She pressed her back against Colby’s chest.

“I only...”

Colby stepped around Lara. “You need to leave, now.” He was holding on to his temper by a thread, but that was only because Lara was standing behind him.

Walter hastily stepped back, turned, and briskly walked away. Colby turned back to Lara. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She let out a sigh. “Why can’t my family get it into their heads I am not going to get back with Walter, nor am I going to fall in line with any of their plans.”

“Stubbornness.”

“Well, I can be stubborn too. Plus, I have better friends.”

“That you do.” Colby made a mental note to let Logan know about what happened today with her ex.

Chapter 14

Lara waved as the bikers left the café, and she emptied the tip jar. They tipped so well. She was happy. The last two weeks had flown. The café was constantly busy from nine until two.

She’d hired a young man who would cover Saturday afternoons with Megan while Lara got everything ready for the catering gig at the club. Lara had talked with Max about having someone come pick up the hot boxes rather than her bringing them out that night. It was a lot of work for her to do that, in addition to having to load and unload them in her car.

Max had given her one better. He bought two hot boxes for the club and a half-dozen insulated thermal bags. She could use the thermal bags to put the pans in and take to the club. They’d stay warm, and the hot boxes would stay at the club.

Plus, once she set up, she would have help when she needed it. Hannah was a godsend. This way if she and Colby wanted to play, they could.

Less traveling for her, less mess and everything. She was excited about this new venture. Not only catering the club, but she’d talked with Mr. Torrino, and he was thrilled to sell the ice cream shop to her so she could expand her café.

Lara had met with her accountant this morning. She’d need a new loan, but it was more than doable, and the accountant would accompany Lara to the bank to get the loan. Not her father’s bank, this time. She wanted out from under her father. So she mentioned to her accountant that she was thinking about combining both loans into one.

She agreed it made sense, but she suggested adding some extra capital. Lara made a note to call Zeke about the remodel. He’d taken a cursory look around the ice cream shop and her café to give her an idea of what could be done. They needed to make solid plans once she had the loan.

Lara was feeling optimistic, not only about her business but about her life. She and Colby spent most of their free time together. Either at her house or his apartment. They’d had dinners with his mom and Aunt Tammy, who enjoyed talking with each other and had more in common than Lara thought they would. Life was good.

With a sigh, Lara finished cleaning up the café, making sure everything was ready for tomorrow morning. Then she grabbed her purse, set the alarm on the café, and closed the back door, double-checking it was locked. She dropped her keys in her purse. It had been a long day. An SUV pulled up. Lara hesitated. Her brothers climbed out.

“I have nothing to say to either of you,” she said.

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