Page 57 of Pretty Wild

“Here ya go,” Ellie says, topping off our glasses. “How is it?”

“It’s amazing,” Ryan confirms. “I’ve never had a sweeter chicken salad before.”

“The secret ingredient is grapes,” she says with a wink. “It complements the smoky chicken.”

“So good,” Ryan says before taking another bite of her sandwich.

“I’ll leave you two to it. Holler if you need anything.” She glances between Ryan and me before adding, “Let’s get together soon. Apparently, we have a lot to talk about.” She smiles widely and heads toward her next table.

“Great, she’s going to ask me all about us having lunch together,” Ryan says, stabbing a piece of pineapple with her fork.

“Yep. It’s part of that small-town charm you’re starting to like,” I tease with a grin before taking a hearty bite of my sandwich.

We eat in comfortable silence, and the moment our plates are cleared away, I pull out my wallet to pay. There are people standing at the door, waiting for tables, and I need to get back to work. So while this lunch was on the quicker side, it served its purpose, and now it’s time to go.

“I can cover lunch,” Ryan says, reaching into her tiny little purse and pulling out cash.

“I got it,” I insist.

“I invited you,” she counters.

“Yes, but call me old fashioned. If a woman is ever out with me, I’m buying,” I state, tossing a healthy tip on the table for Ellie.

She opens her mouth, but closes it just as fast, choosing not to argue. “Well, thank you. I’d like to say I’ll buy next time, but I’m not sure you’ll let that happen.” Her smile is small, her eyes dancing with humor.

“Probably not.”

I stop by the front counter and pay our bill at the cash register. Ellie doesn’t say a word until she hands me my change. Then, she leans in and whispers, “I like you two together.”

“We’re not together,” I reply, shoving my change into my front pocket.

“Really? Huh,” she says, closing the register drawer and propping a hip against the counter. Her eyes glance over my shoulder to where Ryan waits. “Then you’re totally fine with her talking to that new guy in town, the one who bought the gym?”

I’ve seen that guy the few times I’ve been in lately. He’s a total tool. Muscular and always smiling at the women, screaming to be noticed. The thought of Ryan talking to him—of him flirting and hitting on her—causes a ball of fire to erupt in my gut. I spinaround, ready to do everything necessary to get Ryan away from the guy, only to find her standing along the wall by the door, looking at the historical photos dotted around the room.

When I turn back to Ellie, she’s standing there, smiling.

“That was a dirty trick.”

“I think I proved my point. Have a great day,” she sings, grinning even wider.

“I’m taking your tip back,” I state, even though I wouldn’t do that.

She just laughs. “Talk to you soon, Marcus.”

I walk toward Ryan, feeling eyes from around the room follow. “Ready?”

“Yes,” she replies with a smile.

Instantly, my heart does this weird little rapid beat. Like a tap dance, but without the shoes. It’s a foreign sensation, one that concerns me slightly. I’m not one to go to the doctor, but maybe I should get it checked out.

Except it only happens when Ryan smiles, and something tells me what’s happening won’t show up on any test or scan.

Sneaky little Ellie’s comment filters through my mind, and now I can’t get rid of it.

Dammit, this is why I keep to myself and most people at arm’s length.

She put thoughts in my head, and now they’re stuck there.

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