Page 40 of New in Town

No. But I do. Green peppers and pepperoni?

Maddie

I don’t deserve you.

He starts his bike back up and points it towards Norma’s. As he passes the church on the edge of town, excitement buzzes through him. He can’t remember ever feeling this happy about being in Sterling Ridge. He can’t remember ever feeling this happy about a girl, either.

Maddie

It’s very likely that Arlo is using the excuse of a walk-in clinic to try and help me, Maddie muses. She’s finishing check out for Dot, the stylish elderly woman in a fringe denim jacket, and her black cat. Maddie’s sixth patient of the day thus far.

There had been hesitation initially, no one stood to follow her to a treatment room when they opened. Then Arlo gently reminded the patrons that he would never get through them all alone, they had to see her or not be seen. That seemed to get the ball rolling, a steady enough flow agreeing to work with Maddie throughout the day. At one point, a vendor she had met at the farmer’s market even went with her when offered the choice between vets. The dates with Grey apparently working, after all.

“Here you are, the information about the prescription is on this sheet.”

“Thank you dear, it’s been so lovely meeting you.”

“You as well! I’m glad I got to work with you today,” Maddie replies as the bell above the door rings. Her head shoots up hopefully, and there he is.

Grey’s hair is wind whipped, like he rode his motorcycle here, and she’d give anything to be on the back of his bike right now. A slow smile spreads across his face as their eyes meet, her body humming in response. She feels that smile all the way down to her toes, knowing it’s just for her. As usual, he locks in on Maddie’s attention, ignoring everyone else watching him. And as usual, every person in this roomiswatching Grey. He moves through the lobby, his presence commanding as ever.

“So, it is true.”

Maddie turns to Dot, remembering she hadn’t told her that she is good to go. “What’s true?”

“Sterling Ridge’s most handsome cowboy is off the market. I wasn’t believing all the Grey sightings around town.” Dot chuckles as Maddie’s lips part in surprise. “You lucky girl,” she trills. With a humming sound of appreciation at Grey on her way by, she leaves the clinic.

Maddie makes her way around the reception desk, eager to get Grey alone. She meets him as Grey is reaching out for her, pulling her flush against his chest with ferocity.

“Hi,” he murmurs into her hair, one hand splayed across her back, the other balancing the pizza.

“Does this mean we have to wait longer so she can take a break with her boyfriend?” a man seated on the back wall calls out.

Grey turns, his voice clipped when he speaks. “Is that a problem? You don’t think my girl deserves a break?”

The man sinks down in his chair, adjusting the baseball cap atop his balding head. “No, she deserves a break. Sorry, Grey.”

“First they don’t want to see you, now they’re demanding of you,” he grumbles under his breath.

She stays silent, working to settle her butterflies from hearing Grey refer to her asmy girl. She likes it—maybe too much, considering she isn’t actually his.

Moving down the hall, Maddie asks, “Do you know everyone in this town?”

“Bout near. Where are we going by the way?”

She stops as they reach her office.

“Here.”

They slip inside and she leans against the closed door, watching him set the pizza on her desk and take in the space. He turns in a slow circle, his eyes surveying the scene. Maddie had been working to make the space cozier—adding an area rug, a vintage looking brass floor lamp, and a smattering of potted plants on the bookshelf and windowsill. She smiles to herself. A month ago, she thought Arlo was silly for telling her the space would fill up quickly.

He turns back to her. “It’s nice. Are you feeling more settled in?”

“I am. More than I thought I would be, at least.”

They pull the armchairs up to the desk and Grey flips open the pizza box. Curling her legs up onto the chair, she reaches for a slice. She does feel settled. Comfortable, sitting in this office with Grey.

Beside her, he slouches down, legs outstretched and looking comfortable as well. He takes a bite of pizza before turning to her, a question in his baby blue eyes.

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