Page 23 of The One With the Mountain Man

But then I'd have to take out the earplugs I just purchased. "Sounds good." I waved and willed them out the door faster.

"Want me to come?" Travis offered. He was good at distracting my parents from realizing I'd snuck away.

"Naw. I'm saving you for when I'm super fucked."

"Like an ace in the hole." He winked. "I got you. Just let me know."

I helped Red and Travis clean and store spare equipment, then confirmed the hike for the morning before my stomach grumbled. "Lunch?"

Travis shook his head. "I packed a sandwich."

"Grab me a BLT?" Red asked as he sat down at his desk. "I have bills to catch up on."

"Not a problem. Be back in ten."

The offices for ODX were separate from our Adventure Centers where our customers parked and prepared for whatever experience they booked. Tomorrow morning I would meet my group at our private lodge on the other side of town, up the road from where I was staying. I wouldn't be able to grab lunch like this or wander into the bookstore afterward for something to read tonight, so I was taking advantage.

The Green Door had good food. Hearty burgers, well-made sandwiches, soups, and salads, with lots of fresh ingredients grown by the owners or purchased locally as much as possible. We were lucky to have such good food available in our town. I'd been to plenty that didn't and it, quite frankly, sucked.

I pulled open the green door and took in the familiar restaurant. The place was completely empty except for the booth by the kitchen. I glanced at the lone occupant, wondering if I knew them, and froze dead in my tracks. Time slowed as I took in her unruly long hair and the profile of a face I'd only seen once, but already memorized.

It was like I somehow willed Marley into existence.

Annie, the owner of the café, smiled. "Hey Huk!"

"Hey Annie." I watched Marley jolt at the sound of my voice, which only made me move faster.

Marley was here. In my town. In the only cafe for miles. I slid into the booth as Annie jumped back with surprise.

"Fancy running into you again, Marley."

"Jackson!" she squeaked.

Annie snorted. "Haven't heard that name in a long time." I could feel her gaze darting between us, but I didn't care.

My sole focus was the mysterious woman in front of me. Why was she here? How long was she in town? And how was I going to convince her we needed to trade information? "What did you order?"

"Appalachian burger, crinkle fries, salad," Annie read back.

"I'll have the same, except make it the truffle fries."

Marley cocked an eyebrow, a mix of panic and curiosity in her eyes. "I don't recall asking you to join me."

"Because you didn't. I invited myself. Our first lunch together wasn't enough."

Marley's mouth fell open and Annie whispered, "Oh my god." Before muttering, "I'll go put your orders in," and scurrying away. Probably to alert the gossip mill.

That was a problem for later. Right now, I had a much more important, much more urgent problem. Nothing else mattered if I didn't get my chance with Marley.

Which was a wild thought to have. We'd had one meal together. One unforgettable conversation. That was all it took toknowthis woman was important to me.

"Do you want me to leave? I can eat my lunch in the next booth if you'd rather eat alone." It was the same offer I'd made five days earlier.

Last time it worked in my favor. I had my fingers crossed it would again.

Marley blinked, glanced at the kitchen and then back to me. She was just as beautiful as I remembered. Maybe even more so since she wasn't in the middle of a panic attack. She looked a little more settled and a lot less frantic, which was good, but there was still something in her eyes, something haunted.Guarded. Maybe I recognized the look so easily because I'd seen it in my own eyes for years before I managed to mask it.

"You can stay."

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