Page 9 of No Rings Attached
I drew in a deep breath and let out a sigh to stop my spiraling thoughts. Then I did it again. This time slower. In and out. He still hadn’t said a word and here I was creating an entire narrative from a single facial expression.
When I left home to make the six-hour drive from my hometown in Maryland to Ruby River, arriving early and impressing my boss wasn’t the only reason I had to get away.
My younger sister, Celia, was engaged.
To my ex.
Who cheated on me with her.
And without missing a beat, Celia continuously demanded I assist her in planning her wedding. What she really wanted was to berate me, and hate anything I suggested all while flaunting her relationship.
It was too much.
So I left.
And decided that starting today, I was a recovering people pleaser.
The old me let everyone walk all over her. And while I knew on some level it wasn’t my job to make people happy, I struggled to stand firm and not take full responsibility for how other people felt and acted.
I was done with putting everyone else’s thoughts, feelings, and needs before my own just to keep the peace.
What I really needed to do was stop immediately thinkingIwas the problem. Which was easier said than done. This time when I glanced at Drew I kept my gaze on his. When his mouth gentled and a half-smile emerged, I was relieved.
“Adam is the best at what he does. We can figure out a way for you to get around town.”
My heart skittered and banged in my chest. Damn, he was handsome. And that smile made him even more so. He didn’t look away, and having his intensity directed at me was unsettling in so many ways.
I gave myself a mental head shake and turned back to Adam.
It didn’t matter how many of my dreams in the past three months featured the man standing behind me.My hot boss.Or that I was cool and flirty in all of them. Andalwaysacted like I knew how to get a guy’s attention. Basically, the complete opposite of the real me.
But I was beginning to realize it was far more likely I wouldn’t get through this week in his presence without making a fool of myself. Again. I cleared my throat nervously, already regretting the things future me might do.
“I’ll look at it in the morning and get you a quote once I know what the problem is. Then I should be able to get started in the next two to three days depending on what parts I need.”
I nodded. What else could I do? “Thanks.”
“Great. Why don’t you grab your stuff and then I’ll put your car onto the bed of the truck. I’ll drop you off at the B&B.”
My eyes widened, and I took a step back. How had he …?
I knew I’d been wrong about Drew, but his cousin knowing where I was staying gave off serious stalker vibes. The shows I watched and the podcasts I listened to always said it was the person you’d least expect to be wary of.
Adam laughed. A deep booming sound. It made the skin around his eyes crinkle and the grooves around his mouth deepen. I had a feeling he laughed often. “It’s the only place to stay in town, Ellie. I go right past it to get to my shop. And if you’re interested, I could always show you around Ruby River this week.”
Oh, of course he’d know where I was staying if there was only one place. Hello, small-town living.
A slight growl rumbled from behind me, and I turned to face Drew.
Had that been him?
His eyes locked onto Adam and his lips were once again pressed firmly together. “I’ll take her.” His voice had taken on a raspy edge that was far more attractive than it should be.
Bad, Eleanor.
I didnotneed to be crushing on my bossorimagining what else his husky voice could whisper in my ear. I decided this rogue side, lusting after my boss, didn’t deserve to be called Ellie. My full name fit her far better and if she kept it up, I was about to tack on my middle name again.
Drew edged toward me until he was standing so close the heat of his body seeped into mine. I had to stop myself from leaning into his warmth and to accept the comfort he couldn’t possibly be thinking of giving.
