I lifted my gaze to his. “Not a moment since.”
“Liar.” He leaned forward and curled his fingers around mine. His thumb brushed over my wrist. “Because your pulse wouldn’t be racing if you didn’t care.”
“Maybe it’s stranger danger.”
“I’m no stranger. Especially where my tongue has been.”
“Would you keep it down?” I ducked my head and looked around.
“Oh, like you did at the wedding? I think the cat’s out of the bag there.”
“Yeah, well, not everyone in this café was there.”
“Everyone knows.”
“You underestimate your appeal to the people of this town.”
He glanced around and I followed his gaze. Two women from a table over
had their phones up to take a creeper picture. Another two guys were speaking in low voices as they kept sneaking glances over at us.
Not only had I slept with my future brother-in-law, but he was a celebrity to boot. There should have been all sorts of girl points to be had. And five years ago, I would have high-fived my girlfriends for bagging a hot dude with star status.
Now? I just wanted to crawl under this table.
I didn’t want to be Good Time Rylee anymore. I wanted to start over and make a life somewhere. Once upon a time, I’d thought it would have been in a big city like Chicago or Portland. I wasn’t really the New York City or the Los Angeles type, but a bigger city with cool places to see would be nice.
But now I really liked the idea of settling into a life where things were a little slower. Maybe even finding someone to settle down with someday. But not yet. I wanted to actually be on my own for a little while first.
Not living with my parents because I was too irresponsible to keep a job for more than three months. Or…
No. I wasn’t going to think about the sleepwalking thing. I wasn’t going to let that take over my life again.
“You’ve got a whole conversation going on in that gorgeous head of yours. Which part of it includes me?”
For once, I could give him an honest answer. “None of it.”
He sat back with a half-laugh. “Good thing my ego can withstand you, huntress.”
“Rylee. I know we didn’t get to say names much, but let’s go with Rylee.” Because that nickname was far too familiar. Not to mention I didn’t want to be reminded of exactly how thoroughly I’d pounced on him that night in the bar—and then at the inn.
He sipped his coffee, then gave a surprised, “Hmm.”
“She’s good at knowing what you need.”
“I guess there’s a reason why people are lined up out the door.” He took another longer sip then winced.
“It’s still hot, idiot.”
He arched a brow at me.
I shrugged, then took a sip of my own gloriousness. Even with two shots of espresso, it wasn’t bitter. I didn’t know how she did it, but I spent way too much in her shop.
“What are you doing in town, Gage?”
“I told you.”
“No, you gave me the answer you give to work buddies.”