Page 72 of Fresh Tracks
“OK?” She squints and her eyes drop down, looking at her denim overalls that hug her hips just right, her white ribbed tank top, and a familiar, large flannel shirt. She hums in confusion. “I’m just dressed how I always am.”
“Exactly.” I tilt my head toward the crowds around the open, former industrial space. “You’re the only one here not trying to show off. Also, is that my shirt?”
She smirks. “Wasyour shirt.”
I lean forward, tilting my head to the side. We’re on the edge of being far too close in public for people that are just supposedto be working together, but I honestly don’t give a shit now. Looking at her, it’s impossible not to admire how happy and confident she is. She looks like none of this phases her.
It's taking every ounce of my self control to not grab her by the waist and pull her into me. It reminds me what drew me to her in the first place.
7 Months Earlier
Crackinga molar wasn’t on my list of things to do this morning, but my jaw clenched like a vice while I try to keep my eyes focused on the river and not stare at her. She’s still standing next to me, humming thoughtfully, looking out on the river to the same place as me.
“So this is where you come to think?” she asks.
I nod. “I like this spot. There’s one a lot like it by my house in Jackson too. I don’t know. It sounds silly, but my mind is just clearer around the water. Also, aren’t you cold?”
“I’m good right now. I brought a robe for when I get out,” she says with a light, airy laugh. “It’s mountains for me though. The crazy squirrels in my brain seem to calm down when I’m out in the mountains.”
I dare to peek out of the corner of my eye, catching a glimpse of her face. Water is still dripping from her hair and bangs, running down over her face. Even with her sun-kissed skin from long days skiing in the winter, her freckles still stand out. Her beautiful green eyes shimmer like the perfect water around us. She smiles, bringing my eyes to her lips before I look to see what caught her eye. In the distance, I spot the silhouette of snow capped Mount Bachelor on the horizon, bringing a smile to my face.
“I do like mountains too.” I take a long, deep breath of the cool mountain air, trying to steady myself.
She stays facing forward, but she must have heard me. Her eyes find mine and her smile widens.
“You can’t have a river like this without the melting snow from the mountains. You have to have them both.”
Present Day
“Areyou going to introduce us to your friend here?” Miles’s voice gets my attention from behind. I turn to see him standing there with Vince and Stan, still watching Grace and I with a level of interest I don’t like.
“Yeah, who’s the mystery girl here?” Stan says, practically salivating and I already want to punch him. That’s not exactly new though.
I start to confront him, but Grace bounds to my side, extending a hand to Miles, bright and cheery as always. “Hi. Grace Chapman. I’ve been working on some projects for Jake and TJ.”
Miles grabs her hand, watching her with an amused grin. “Nice to meet you.”
She lets go of his hand and turns to Vince. “And you must be Vince. He’s told me so much about you.” Vince gives me a worried look, probably wondering what I said about him, but shakes her hand.
“And that makes you?—”
“Stan.” I watch Stan extend his hand to her, tilting his head at me. “So you work for our old friend here?”
She smiles and nods. “Yep, for a few weeks now.”
His lips curl into a slimy, predatory grin.
“Good. I was worried you were dating this old stick in the mud. How about you give me your number and I’ll take you out for a real night.”
“Seriously, do you ever stop?” Vince scolds Stan like a misbehaving child. I guess maybe he has changed a little bit.
I turn to find Grace, smirking and cocking a hip out. “Stick in the mud? What are you? Fifty? I thought TJ was the old man in the band.”
Vince snickers to himself and Stan’s brows rise in surprise. He quickly regains his composure and nods in approval before turning to me.
“Looks like you hired a feisty one, nice,” he says, slapping me on the shoulder. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Stan give up after one failed attempt at flirting.
I’m not sure what to make of these two right now. Maybe Miles is right. They’ve either changed or they’re putting on one hell of a convincing act.
