Page 97 of Lavender Lake
The few customers who’d been sitting at tables nearby suddenly went silent.
“I asked that at full volume, didn’t I?” I drawled.
“Hmm. Indeed. And to answeryourquestion, I can think of two people.”
“And they would be?”
“The high school love who never got over you and the handsome bull rider that can never take his eyes off you.”
“Neither,” I lied.
“Okay, I’m just saying, I know you. And you’re never this happy to be home. You’ve got color in your cheeks and you’ve started dressing different.”
“Different? Different how?”
“Different like, you don’t care to style your hair or put on a full face of makeup because you’re not going to an office. Plus, you’re rocking the jeans and boots. Very Idaho style.”
“Seems kind of dumb to dress for Manhattan when you’re on a ranch,” I quipped. “As for the jeans, they’re Mom’s. My old jeans don’t button as easily.”
“Been there,” Gracie said. “I live for the day I can get back into my old jeans. Though I think that’s a pipe dream, what with having a baby and all.”
“That’ll do it,” I said with a laugh. “And on that note, you might as well give me one of those cinnamon rolls. The one in the back with twice the amount of frosting.”
“You got it.”
The door to Sweet Teeth opened and Amber strode inside with Gideon right behind her. She batted her eyelashes at him and thanked him for holding the door for her. Gideon smiled down at her and laughed at something she said.
I turned away in disgust. Not because I was jealous, but because Amber made my stomach queasy. I hadn’t seen her since the night we’d gotten into it.
“I’m not Wade,” Gracie warned me. “I won’t take bets and I will kick you both out of here.”
“I’ll behave, I swear. I haven’t had any bourbon today, so the town is safe.”
“Glad to hear it.” She picked up the tongs and grabbed a cinnamon roll and stuck it into a bag. “Hi, Gideon. Hi, Amber. Be right with you two.”
“Take your time,” Gideon said, his eyes finding mine. “Hey Salem.”
“Hey,” I greeted.
I looked at Amber and the evil part of me was glad to see that the corner of her eye was still a faint yellowish green from the black eye I’d given her.
Hell hath no fury like a protective sister.
I ignored her and she ignored me.
“Anything else for you?” Gracie asked.
“A few of your chocolate chip cookies, please. Thanks.” I took out my card.
Amber’s expression was clearly judgmental and snarky, but she wisely kept her thoughts to herself.
I tapped my credit card on the screen. It beeped and I shoved my credit card in my pocket. “See you guys later.”
I took my coffee and bag of pastries outside and lowered my sunglasses that rested on my head to the bridge of my nose.
The door to Sweet Teeth opened behind me. “Salem,” Gideon called out.
I stopped and turned.
