Page 13 of Hoax and Kisses
At the threshold, she’s frozen in place, still clinging to the door handle, her focus fixed on me.
“Can I help you?” Lola asks.
The sound of Lola’s voice startles her, and she tears her gaze away from me. “I didn’t realize Pine Falls wasthissmall.”
“Huh?”
“Must be your lucky day,” I shoot back.
Lola frowns at me and whispers, “Do you know her?”
“She jumped in front of my truck earlier.”
The stranger scoffs. “I did notjumpin front of your truck.”
Lola lets out a low whistle, her brows rising high, side-eyeing me.
“You,” the woman says, pointing at me, “almost ran me over.”
I hold my hands up. “Let’s agree to disagree and call it a day.”
Her expression hardens, and she presses her lips together in a thin line. She’s been here for thirty seconds, and she’s already riled up. I shouldn’t like it. But seeing how easily I can spark a reaction out of her is entertaining. I’ve never witnessed someone getting this bothered by a little taunting.
She moves closer, dragging her heavy luggage behind her. “I’ve had a long day, and I could use a bath and a bottle of wine right about now, so if you could help me, I’d be willing to forget that you almost killed me.”
She fumbles in the pocket of a coat that looks more expensive than my house and pulls out her phone. With a series of taps on the screen, she turns the device to Lola. “Rosie at the café mentioned that you know the owner of the cabin I’m renting. She thought maybe you could drive me there.”
I glance over Lola’s shoulder. “You’re staying at Oliver’s?”
The stranger stares at me. “You know him too?”
“He’s our best friend.” Lola offers her a warm smile. “I can give you a ride, but…” She checks her watch. “It’s just me today, and I can’t close the store before I get my delivery at three.”
The woman’s eyes swim with despair. She’s shivering, partly because of me. Her hair is plastered to her face, her expression drawn, like she’s at her wit’s end. She could use a little sympathy, even if she came barging in here like an entitled city jerk.
I sigh. Fine. “I’ll drive you.”
She whips her head in my direction, her shoulders tensing. “You will?”
I shrug. “Yeah, why not.”
“Oh. O-okay then.” Voice pitched high, she darts her gaze around, as if she’s looking for the suitcases parked beside her. “Now?”
“Yeah, give me a minute, okay?” I slip my keys from my pocket and hit the unlock button on the fob, nodding toward my truck. “You can climb in if you want. I’ll be right over.”
“Yeah, okay. Uh… thanks.” She turns around, her movements wooden, as if my offer throws her off.
Come on, I’m notthatmean. Actually, I’m not mean at all. She’s the one who called me an asshole.
“Hey!” Lola adds as the woman pulls the door open. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Zoey,” she says.
Zoey. The sound of her name is like a soft brush of her lips against the shell of my ear.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lola, and this is Matt.”
Zoey nods and dips her chin. “I’ll go wait in the truck.”
