The Storm
Page 22
It was wrong, but I found it sexy as hell.
“I’m going to be a second,” I said. “Then you can have both spots.”
If she could wait just two minutes, enough time for me to talk to the owner of the diner, she’d be able to get on with her day. The parking lot didn’t accommodate large trucks, which was crazy in a mountain town, but the place didn’t have that much space to begin with.
“I don’t need both spots, I just need one,” she argued. “But your truck is taking up half the parking lot.”
“That’s a pretty gross exaggeration,” I scoffed, stifling my laughter as I continued toward the entrance of the diner. I turned to find her scowling at me and held up two fingers as I mouthed the words, “Two minutes.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and shook her head. “Because obviously your time is more valuable than everyone else here.”
I let that comment slide. Maybe she was also in a hurry to get to some big life event, like a friend of hers having a baby.
How the hell was I supposed to know?
I seemed to doubt it. And in this case, yes, my time was more valuable. I needed to get to Alice, and my flight would leave without me if I didn’t get there in time.
If it were a different day, I’d gladly give her my parking spot.
But hell, not today.
I opened the door to the diner, and right away, I knew it would be longer than two minutes. I felt bad for lying to the girl, but I couldn’t help it. The place was packed, and the owner - Felicity - was running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Sweat ran down her face as she ran from the cash register to the people sitting at the counter and then back to the kitchen. She saw me and offered a friendly, but tired, smile.
“Short staffed today?” I asked.
“You bet we are. Our hostess and one of our waitresses called out sick,” she groaned, rushing past me to the counter. She dropped off three plates of pancakes and eggs to a few older patrons, and then ran back to the kitchen again.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and waited in line like everyone else. The door to the diner opened, and a voice piped up from behind me.
“Two minutes, my ass,” the woman from the parking lot muttered. “Luckily someone else left, or I’d still be out in the sweltering heat waiting on you.”
“I didn’t know it’d be this busy,” I said, shrugging. “I just need to take care of some business with the owner.”
“You didn’t know the most popular diner in all of Liberty would be packed on a Sunday morning? Right before church?” the woman asked. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
I turned to face her, and even though she was easily a foot shorter than me, she stood tall and put on her best intimidating look. I had to admit, if I’d been a lesser man, it might have made me take a step or two back.
Her fierce sultry eyes met mine with a heat that was both terrifying and sexy as hell.
I knew I had to back off.
Not because I was afraid of the little lady, but because the more we bickered, the more attractive she became.
And shit, I had no intention of dating anyone in this town.
I had bigger concerns today. Getting into a petty little argument with a local was the last thing I needed. I needed to get in and out as quickly as possible. So I ignored the woman’s comment and flagged Felicity down as she made another run to the cash register.
“Hey, can I have a second? I need to get going,” I said.
The brunette rolled her eyes, getting hotter by the minute.
Felicity stopped and wiped her hands on her apron. “Sure thing, darling. But I literally only have a second. I’m also the damn chef today.”
Felicity took me to the side, and I explained I was heading out of town.
She thanked me for letting her know but didn’t seem too worried about it and was grateful for Grant stepping in for me.
I couldn’t blame her - there was a line out the door and pancakes that needed to be flipped.
I let her go and walked toward the exit. The brunette was still waiting to be seated.
Then I did something I knew was asking for trouble.
I winked at her and gave her a devilish grin as I walked past her and reached the door, all before she could roll her eyes once more.
I pushed the door open and left the diner.
A part of wished I’d gotten her number, but I quickly told that part to shut up. I wasn’t looking for a relationship.
Summer had come to Utah, and it was hotter than a cup of Felicity’s famous coffee.
Okay, so maybe I was a little bit of an ass, making her wait in her air-conditioned, electric-hybrid hippie car, but it wasn’t that serious.
Reaching Alice, on the other hand, was serious.
My insides twisted in knots as I climbed back into my truck and headed toward the airport.
END OF PREVIEW
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About the Author
Three fun facts about me:
1. I love women who DON'T ask for permission.
2. I obsess over TIMELESS LOVE and TOE CURLING PASSION.
3. I dream about HOT men in tight uniform serving me wine while I write romance.
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