He sat down in the seat across from her and picked up a menu. “What’s good here?”
The nerve.
Please. You know you like the attention.
I can get attention from any man.
But none of them are like Preston.
And none of them have ever saved you with a simple dance.
Apple hated that she’d lost an argument with herself over Preston, but what she hated even more was the fact that she loved that he didn’t leave. Heck, the highlight of her days was sparring with Preston, deflecting his over-the-top, but much appreciated, compliments every time they crossed paths.
Goodness knows she needed the distraction.
However, today... it was different. A little too personal, yet she’d lingered to hear what he’d come up with next.
Only, she wasn’t too sure if he meant what he said, or if he was secretly making fun of her. Hence, her final investigation as to his true intentions by off-handedly dropping hints as to where she would be this evening.
“Everything.” She plucked the menu out of his hand and dropped it on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, this is a dinner meeting.”
He pointedly glanced around the table, then around the dining room, before fixing his gaze on her again. “Doesn’t look like it has started.”
“It’s a meeting for one.”
“Then I’ll keep sitting here so no one will think it’s weird when you start arguing with yourself.”
Apple bit back a smile. He could be so clever and witty at times, so very insightful, and... much, much more than his always-up-for-a-good-time persona. The one he’d had throughout high school and beyond.
Molly, their waitress and a fellow classmate from their days at Jessamine High School, stopped by the table, landing an appreciative gaze on Preston.
“Can I get you anything, honey?” Molly asked, her tone clearly indicating that anything included her.
Honestly, Apple couldn’t blame the pretty waitress. Preston was mighty fine looking. He had sandy-blond hair, sexy blue eyes, and a mischievous smile... and if she were a completely shallow woman, she’d lust over his lean, muscular body. The way his shirt fit him just so in all the right places. The way his lips were full and—
“See something you like?” he asked.
Well, it was a very good thing she wasn’t shallow, and it was an even better thing that she wasn’t easily embarrassed. “I’ve already ordered, thank you,” she said, deliberately mistaking his meaning.
“Great. I’ll have what she’s having.” Preston raised his brows and grinned. “Nice to see you, Molly.”
Molly winked at him, and Apple had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Worse, she had to shove down an emotion she hadn’t felt in ages—jealousy.
“You, too,” Molly said before sashaying away.
But why would she be jealous of Molly flirting with Preston?
Yes, Molly was adorably cute and had her pick of eligible men in Jessamine. In fact, Molly and Preston would be adorable together. One of those couples where he was so tall and manly and she was so dainty and petite that Apple would want to throw up every time she looked at them. They would have adorable babies and do adorable things like pig pickins’ and oyster roasts on the weekends.
Things that didn’t appeal to Apple in the least.
She didn’t want to be domesticated; she was content to spend her time planning parties and get-togethers...
Oh, who was she kidding? She was thirty-one and... and...
She wanted those things, wanted someone to spend the rest of her life with so badly that she, who could run an entire newspaper by the seat of her pants, had no clue how to go about getting what she wanted.
Yet, Molly did.
Molly had no problem letting the entire world know that she was in the market for a husband. It was common knowledge—mostly because Molly’s mother, Greta, was in a matchmaking mood and sought Apple’s help... along with anyone else who might know or be related to an eligible man.
Molly also didn’t have McCoy traditions to uphold, nor was she constrained by rules that Apple had to follow, like when it came to seriously dating a man like Preston Lawson.
“We’re not dating,” Preston said, cutting through her thoughts.
“I know we’re not.”
An amused smile pushed up the corners of Preston’s lips. “I meant Molly and I aren’t dating.”
Heat rose to her cheeks. “I can never be too sure with you.”
He put an elbow on the table, something her mother would never allow, and casually ran his thumb over his bottom lip. “Then I’m going about things the wrong way.”
“On that, we can agree,” she said smartly and attempted to check her phone again, but she couldn’t look away from his mouth.
Preston smiled wider. “Agreeing is the first step in the right direction.”
“We are not heading in the right direction, or any direction for that matter,” she insisted.
“That’s right, darlin’, because we’re sitting in Sunny Mac’s, having dinner together. Right here. Right now.”
His logic was dizzying and terrifying... and she wasn’t going to have it a second longer, no matter if she was the one to instigate the entire meeting. “I’ve lost my appetite. Have a good evening, Mr. Lawson.” Grabbing her purse, she scooted out of her seat. Preston grabbed her arm gently, but it was enough to stop her from moving any further.
“What are you so afraid of?” he asked, his smile easy but his tone... his tone was firm. Almost sharp.
She tipped up her chin. “Sloths.”
“You’re joking.”
“Obviously. I’ve never met a sloth, so I have no basis for a fear of them.”
“How very logical of you, Ms. McCoy,” he drawled in a very un-Preston-like way. “Are all your decisions based on fact?”
“I am a reporter,” she pointed out, even as she wondered why the man in front of her was slowly changing from deranged, preening peacock to the self-assured gentleman who’d asked real questions earlier today. Had his former behavior been just an act? Which one was the real him?
“Damn good one... most of the time.”
And that was what she got for giving him too much credit. “All the time.” Had he forgotten her piece on the Hyde case, the very one she interviewed him for, but then had to scrap his portion because he hadn’t been working that night?
“If you don’t print the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you’re nothing but a rumor rag.”
Outraged, she sat down in the booth, right beside him, preparing to give him a piece of her mind. “I do not run a rumor rag. Furthermore, I have kept the Jessamine Gazette running for far longer it should have remained in business.”
He arched a brow. “Are you saying that you’re going to close up shop?”
Horrified that she’d spilled a secret to him of all people, she lifted her chin. “I’m saying that I was very successful at keeping it afloat. New avenues must be explored, of course, to sustain progress.”
“You sure you’re not going into politics? Because that’s the best non-answer answer I’ve ever heard.”
“It would be very hard to remain unbiased if I were to do so, and since I enjoy telling the truth, I’ll stick with journalism,” she said with a sniff.
“Unbiased, my ass. I read that hit piece you published on my cousin.”
“He is an ex-con who stole from the people of Jessamine.”
“I don’t take issue with that, but the purpose of your article wasn’t to share the truth, it was meant to punish and hurt those who’d hurt you first.” He leaned in close to her. “Aren’t you tired of fighting the world, Apple?”
Her heart pinched and her stomach sank, even as her resolve hardened. “I am not fighting with anyone.”
“Don’t lie to me, sweetheart. I’ve known you for far too long,” Preston pointed out. “You’re better than that.”
Molly rushed over to their table, setting two gla
sses of raspberry ale down. “Your drinks! I almost forgot them. Salads should be out in a minute.”
“Thank you,” Apple muttered, keeping her gaze on Preston. As soon as Molly left, she put her phone away and said, “Since we’re all about being honest, tell me why you keep pestering me.”
Those dimples of his appeared in his cheeks again. Lord, she wanted to kiss them. He bit down on his bottom lip. She wanted to kiss him there, too.
“I’m interested in you,” he said. “I’m interested in dating you to be more specific.”
She twisted her lips. “Thanks for the clarification.”
“And?” he prompted.
She wrinkled her nose. “And what?”
“What do you think about my interest?”
Apple was having more than a little fun playing a version of twenty questions with Preston, more fun than she ought to. “You’re no different.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “They all claim they want to get to know me, but all they really want is to get into my bed.”
Except for him. He’d turned her down. Yet, she was here, having dinner with him.
“Can’t blame them.”
Her brows shot to her hairline. “You’re not going to insist that you’re singular in your intentions? Or are you merely biding your time until I invite you to go home with me again?”
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his muscular arms over an equally muscular chest. “Every man over the age of sixteen wants to get in your bed. The ones who say they don’t are lying... or with a woman who makes them happy. So yeah, I want to get in your bed, and yeah, I want you to invite me to go home with you again, but I want to get to know you better first.”
“That’s not a requirement.” But it was a compliment. So many men were always under the impression that she was a sure thing. It was assumed that whenever she showed one the least bit of attention it was an invitation for more.
Apple didn’t have more to give, not since she swore she wouldn’t allow another man to rule her heart. Honestly, it was exhausting to pretend to be so cold, so heartless, and that every man who caught her eye was sharing her bed.
Worse, she was slowly becoming that cold, heartless woman. She’d almost lost her relationship with her sister, Lemon. The same sister she’d named, loved, and had tried to protect. Lemon’s marriage to Tristan Lawson had put an end to that momma bear-like attitude.
Maybe it was time for her to do something different. For far too long, she kept herself and her heart guarded. Maybe, just maybe, she could share herself with Preston without sharing her heart.
Or maybe she was out of her mind.
Preston was a Lawson for goodness sake, even if he wasn’t one of the brothers. He might as well be, though. They were thick as thieves. When one needed help, the rest of them followed, like their version of the American Red Cross.
“Give me a chance, Apple. What’s the worst that could happen?” he asked, a twinkle appearing in his blue eyes.
She would make a fool of herself again. “I would break your heart,” she said softly.
“Not a chance,” he said as Molly appeared once more, annoyingly timely as she brought their salads and bread.
“Anything else?” Molly chirped.
Preston shook his head, his mouth already full. Apple did the same, flashing Molly a small smile.
“Great. I’ll check on y’all in a bit.”
In the most unladylike fashion ever, Apple grabbed the bread and tore off a hunk. “You don’t think I can make you fall in love with me?”
He laughed. “I think you’re afraid that I can make you fall in love with me.”
She wasn’t afraid. She was terrified of falling in love again. “Fine. Do your worst, Preston Lawson. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Except she hadn’t warned him at all.
And she’d just given him permission to date her.
Chapter Three
Preston’s first date, if he could stretch the definition to cover their encounter at Sunny Mac’s, with Apple hadn’t been half-bad. Sure, it could have been more romantic and she could have been more talkative, but it hadn’t turned to interviewing him on EMT services in the county... so, he’d take what he could get.
Her time.
Her attention.
Her challenge.
Preston smiled as he hefted a large tray of glasses and placed them on a shelf under the bar.
Baby steps was all it took to reach her. To some, that might seem daunting, but to him... it was nothing but a matter of patience and time. He had plenty of both.
“Look what came in,” his cousin and business partner, Elijah Lawson, called out from the back as he carried two boxes. “The first shipment of Whiskey Hollow’s new beverage napkins. Never thought I’d be excited over a napkin, but...”
“It’s the logo,” Preston said, grinning as he grabbed his pocketknife and sliced the first box open, only to reveal hot pink napkins with the word Pinkalicious printed on them. His grin fell. “Pretty sure that’s not the look I was going for...”
Elijah laughed. “They’re certainly eye-catching.”
While his cousin might think it was funny, and yeah, on a certain level it was, for Preston, it was just another indicator that the grand opening of Whiskey Hollow would have to be put off to another date. At this rate, he’d be a full year into running the place before it happened.
“Not a big deal. I know a guy who can help us out.”
Preston raised a brow. “You know a guy?” His cousin had been gone from Jessamine for almost a decade, only returning this year. Elijah had always been the adventurous one, and Jessamine had always been too small for him. Preston couldn’t quite wrap his mind around Elijah coming back to settle down here of all places.
Elijah grinned. “The benefit of being a pilot for hire.”
“So not a local.”
“No, but he can get shit done pretty quickly.”
“Pretty quickly fits our timeframe,” Preston agreed. He closed the box and pushed it to one side, putting his pocketknife away. “Are you sure you won’t need me tonight?” Saturdays tended to be their busiest times, and tonight’s band was sure to pull in a crowd.
“Got it covered,” Elijah assured him. “Besides, you can’t cancel on Apple. She’d tar and feather your ass—figuratively and publicly in the Jessamine Gazette.”
“I think she’d be happy if I cancelled,” he admitted.
“Admitting defeat already?” Elijah shook his head. “That’s not the Preston I know.”
Preston exhaled. “I’m not defeated... I’m cautiously optimistic.”
“You mean firmly pessimistic.” Elijah shook his head. “I think you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.”
Preston leaned against the ice chest. “There are times when I feel guilty because of her history with Caleb.”
His cousin laughed. “My brother is happy with Sofia.”
“And they’re getting married soon.” Which, in Preston’s mind, meant that there was no hope of his cousin picking up where things had been left off with Apple.
“Caleb is one of a kind, and he found a one-of-a-kind woman who gets him. Stop worrying about him suddenly becoming jealous. Besides, if he’d wanted to be with Apple, then he would have found a way.”
“I’m not worried about his jealousy. He gave me some good advice concerning Apple, and I’m trying to follow it.”
“But you think he’s secretly harboring feelings for her while marrying another woman? Dude, you have got to lay off General Hospital.”
Preston flipped his cousin off. “I don’t think that. I’m concerned Apple hasn’t had enough closure with him to move on... or she wants to find that closure with me and then move on.”
“You want her to drop anchor with you.”
“Sure... I mean, yeah. Yes.”
“Whatever floats your boat, but in the meantime...” Elijah grabbed the packing paper and a pen, writing down what was wrong with their order.
“Why don’t you bring Apple flowers? Make her feel special.”
“You don’t think every man she’s ever dated has made her feel special? She’s a McCoy.” The entire town treated that family as special.
A wry smile covered Elijah’s face. “Not special enough to warrant a long-term relationship.”
“True.” Preston shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I might be wrong for pursuing Apple, but I’m tired of waiting for the right time.”
“Far be it from me to stop you. I wish you luck, brother.” Elijah shoved the packing paper back into the box. “Let me know how tonight’s date goes.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Preston rolled his eyes.
Growing up, he and Eli had always been close. Preston knew it wasn’t only because they were about the same age, or that they shared the same last name. Hell, he had seven other male cousins in Jessamine alone who fit that particular description.
No, he’d always been close to Eli because Eli got him. He could see through his bullshit and was always there when he needed him, like when Preston’s parents had divorced and his dad moved to Texas to start over. Even after his cousin decided to spread his wings and fly—literally—around the world, nothing had changed.
It was like Eli knew when to show up, convince Preston to pack a bag, and head off for an once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Something a brother would do.
Hell, Eli was more like a brother than a cousin. He was more of a brother than his four brothers down in Texas had ever been—not that was their fault. Distance and a ten-year age difference with the oldest had seen to that instead.
Preston’s phone buzzed, so he pulled it out of his pocket, more than a little surprised to find a text from Apple.
Apple: I’m going to have to cancel dinner.
Preston: Why?
Apple: Unexpected meeting at work.
Preston: I’ll bring dinner to you.
Apple: Not necessary. We can meet for drinks at my place at 9.
His eyebrows shot to his hairline. Yeah, he liked the thought of drinks at her place. He suspected that drinks at her place really meant she wanted to get physical so she could move on.
Love So Right (The Lawson Brothers #7) Page 2