Page 8 of Tempting Me

The only problem is, I thought that familywasmy family. I mean, I’d spent just as much time at their house as I spent at my own. Our families used to do get-togethers on a weeklybasis, but then one day, someone stole from The Marina, and they blamed it on me.

I tried to convince them that I had no idea what they were talking about, because I didn’t steal shit, but no one believed me. Yes, it hurts that Shay doesn’t believe me, but it hurts more that her brother, Leo, didn’t. We did everything together and, well, I considered him just as much my brother as I do Hudson and Miles.

But he didn’t believe me either.

It sucked.

A lot.

I wanted to get back at him for not trusting me after all the years of friendship we had, so I slept with his girlfriend. I was a teenager. I was dumb. I was a fucking idiot. Any chance we had to fix our friendship was 100 percent ruined by my one single choice.

That’s how quickly your life can change.

And every single day that I see those trucks or I see Shay, I'm reminded of just that.

Now, at least half the problem is gone. The other, well, I guess I just cross my fingers I don’t run into her in town.

Work has been busy,and by the time 4 p.m. hits and I’m sending the guys home, I still have paperwork to complete. Bids to prepare, payroll, and a few mock-up designs to draft.

I wave goodbye to Benson, Darrell, and Stan, my three employees, then lock the shop door to Asher Construction. I’ll be back to work in the office, but it’s hot as fuck right now, so I need a cold drink and some food.

One of the things I love about living in a small town is that everything is within walking distance. Outside of the lodge and The Marina anyway. My shop is right at the end of Main Street, so I really have a prime spot. If I turn left from the shop, I would hit Restore and Repair, Miles garage, in one block or my dad's house in three and the grocery store in four. If I walk straight, Main Street will lead to Hudson’s Bar, B’s Bakery, three small restaurants, clothing shops, a new dance studio, a jewelry store, a florist, and a few other basic businesses every town has like a bank, a law office, et cetera. If I turn right, my house is one block over.

Like I said, it’s a prime spot.

I walk up Main Street until I reach B’s Bakery. Brooke, who owns it, will be closing any moment, if she hasn’t already.

The open sign is still showing when I get there, so I swing the door open.

“I know, I know, I do this way too much and you’ll have to make a fresh pot of coffee just for?—”

I stop mid-sentence and take a misstep. Brooke is not alone.

“Hey, Luca.” Brooke smiles and waves from behind the counter. On the side, picking up her coffee, is Grace Richford.

Now, I've known Grace for a long time. Since before we could drive.

My best friend growing up was Leo Parker, and Grace was, still is, Leo’s little sister’s best friend.

So that means, by Shay’s standards, Grace doesn’t care for me either.

As soon as Grace spots me, her left brow raises.

Now, it could mean she’s displeased to see me, but it could also be due to the fact that I’m just staring at this point.

“Brooke. Grace.” I nod to them.

Grace laughs and then flips her hair over her shoulder.

“Luca.”

Cool. More awkward silence. My fucking favorite. Not.

“Any chance there’s coffee left for me?”

“I had a feeling you’d be in today,” Brooke says, and Grace laughs.

Why is she laughing? Brooke didn’t say anything funny.

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