Page 69 of Whispers and Wildfire

“Are you okay?” Hank’s head tilted with concern.

“Fine, yes.” My answer came out a little too quickly to sound believable. “Actually, my high school ex-boyfriend, who’s now my boss, is here, and it’s a little uncomfortable.”

Hank’s mouth opened, then closed again, like he wasn’t sure how to reply.

I could hardly blame him.

“Small-town living, am I right?” I was vaguely aware that I’d started talking with my hands. “You think you’re safe, and then in walks someone to make things awkward. Honestly? When I decided to move back here, I hardly thought about it. And then suddenly here I am, and there he is, and he’s everywhere. It’s like we’re magnetic. Although that opposite poles idea is probably accurate. We were always like fire and ice.”

“And you… work for him now?”

I kept gesturing as I talked. “I know! It sounds like a terrible idea, and I thought it would be, but actually it isn’t that bad. And it’s only temporary.”

Hank nodded slowly, but his face was colored with skepticism—or maybe confusion.

I was about to launch into a lengthy dissertation about how I had absolutely no feelings for Luke Haven, but I stopped. Because that wasn’t true, and I knew it. I had all kinds of feelings for him. Mostly loathing, although that didn’t account for the queasy feeling in my stomach every time I caught sight of his date from the corner of my eye.

“Excuse me.” I stood. “I need to use the restroom.”

“Sure,” Hank said, sounding slightly bewildered. “No problem.”

Forcing myself not to look at Luke or his date, I grabbed my clutch. The restroom was in the back of the restaurant, down a little hallway that turned to the right. My heart wasbeating too hard, and the queasy feeling in my stomach wasn’t going away.

Fortunately, the women’s room was empty. After using the bathroom, I took a few deep breaths in front of the mirror while I washed my hands.

“You’re fine, Mel,” I said to my reflection. “This isn’t a problem. It’s a little awkward, but we’re all adults here.”

I took out my lip gloss and started to reapply when the door opened, and she walked in. Luke’s date.

My mouth hung open as our eyes met in the mirror.

Look away, Mel! Look away!

Too late. She smiled, her eyes lighting up in recognition. “Hi. We met at Luke’s garage. I’m Jenna.”

Smoothing my expression, I turned to face her. “Yes, I remember. Nice to meet you. I’m Melanie.”

“This restaurant is so nice, don’t you think?”

I nodded. “Very nice.”

She scrunched up her shoulders. “I’m on a first date, but you probably know that since you work with Luke. We just got here, but I think it’s going well. I’m so excited to wear this dress. I bought it a while ago but haven’t had a chance to wear it.”

I glanced up and down, but if you’d asked me a minute later what she’d been wearing, I wouldn’t have had a clue. My brain spun a million miles a second, and it was hard to focus on anything.

“It’s very pretty,” I managed, and it was a credit to my years spent acting that I sounded so calm.

“Sorry I’m babbling. I’m just a little nervous. Luke is so hot. He’s like the hottest guy I’ve ever been out with.”

What was I supposed to say to that? If you think he’s hot now, wait until you see him naked?

No, Mel, don’t say that.

Pressing my lips closed, I nodded. Keeping my mouthshut was not my best skill, but at that moment, it was beyond necessary.

She moved in front of the sink next to me, took her lipstick out of her purse, and started reapplying. “Are you here with a date, too? The guy at your table is gorgeous.”

“Yes, Hank’s my date.”

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