Page 55 of Pretty Wild

She smiles, and rocks on her heels. “Great! Where should we go?”

There aren’t too many options in town, and no matter where we go, we’ll be under the microscope. We’ll be the talk of the town within an hour, and for once, I don’t care. Usually, I’d avoid the spotlight in any way, shape, or form, especially in this town. It’s easy to become gossip fodder, which we’ve all fallen victim to from time to time. Not that I care what anyone thinks of me, but I do prefer to have my name kept out of their mouths.

“How about the diner? It’s just down the road and they’re usually pretty quick,” I suggest.

“That sounds good. I ate there on Saturday, and it was delicious.”

“Saul is an amazing cook. We might get lucky, and they’ll have their bacon-wrapped meatloaf on special, since yesterday was a holiday.”

Her eyes bright at the thought. “I had that Saturday. Ellie recommended it.”

“She’s a wise woman. Worked there forever,” I tell her, reaching for the doorknob. “Gladys, I’m gonna take a quick lunch.”

She seems surprised by my announcement. “Really?”

“Yeah,” I mutter, walking past the counter and heading for the shop. Glancing over my shoulder, I make eye contact with Ryan again and add, “I’ll be right back.”

She nods, so I push through the door and head for where Dale is working. First thing I do is wash my hands, making sure I get as much grease and dirt off them. When I tear off a paper towel, I mutter to Dale, “I’ll be back. I’m gonna take a quick lunch.”

He pops his head out from under the hood and levels me with a look of shock. “What?”

“I’ll be right back,” I say, making my way back to the office before he can say another word. I’m sure I’ll get an earful when I get back, especially after he talks to Gladys. Don’t need to hear it before I go.

When I return to the office, I hold open the door and wait for her to exit first. She steps outside ahead of me and starts to head for her rental car. “You mind walking?” I ask, loving the warmth of the sun above me.

“No, I don’t mind,” she replies, falling in line beside me.

“Hi, Miss Ryan.”

I glance over and find Dale standing outside the first garage bay, a big grin on his face as he waves.

“Hi, Dale. Lovely day, isn’t it?” she asks, waving back.

“Sure is. You two have fun,” he says, whistling as he returns to work. I don’t miss the knowing smirk on his face either. Yeah, I’ll definitely hear all about it when I get back.

We’re quiet as we hit the sidewalk and head toward the diner. It’s not far, only a couple blocks up the road. It would take longerto find a parking spot at this time of day than it would to just walk there.

“How’s work going?” she asks as we approach the first crosswalk.

“Good.”

She nods. After we cross the street and continue on our way, she jumps back into more conversation. “I went shopping today. I realized I needed a different wardrobe if I wanted to fly under the radar while I was here. As much as I love my dresses, they’re too Ryan Marcotte, so I drove to Hudson and found some basic shorts and tees at Target.”

I glance her way, sidestepping a woman and child exiting one of the small boutiques. “Personally, I kinda like your sundresses.”

She giggles, looking at me from beneath her lashes. “That’s what you got out of all that?”

I shrug, my hands shoved in my pockets.

“Well, I could always wear them…later,” she says softly, keeping her head down to shield her face from those around us.

“I like…later,” I confess, this playfulness is something new with me.

We reach the diner as she adds, “Me too.”

I open the door, and we step inside the cool building. Instantly, we spot Ellie, who waves us in. “Hey, guys,” she greets. She looks around the room and nods toward the far back booth. She knows who Ryan really is, even if she thought she was Jade at first, so I can’t help but think she put us in the back corner to offer a bit more privacy.

She slips into the booth with her back to the room, while I take the side with the view. Sure, everyone will wonder and speculate about who I’m with, but that’s fine. At least she’s shielded from prying eyes.

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