Chapter 14
Hunter
The next few days drifted by, slow as molasses.
The nights blurred together for me—a mosaic of clinking glasses, laughter, and the low throb of music from the jukebox as I waited to help Paige shut down the bar.
We talked and laughed, back to our usual banter and jokes.
But neither of us mentioned that night, or the half-life of a kiss that seemed to hover between us, unresolved and undeniable, yet heavy with the knowledge that it would absolutely happen again.
Why were we taking it slow?
Work kept me busy, but not enough to drown out the tension curled tight in my chest. I’d memorized every knot in the wood grain behind the bar, waiting for the time to pass until closing.
Some nights Paige would catch my eye from across the room, her lips quirking in a secret smile, and I’d feel the world tilt a little closer to right, even if just for a heartbeat.
Being caught was a worry. Gossip had spread, and it made her uneasy.
A storm was coming, the kind you could sense before it broke.
News traveled fast in this town, faster than any of us liked, and I knew it was only a matter of time before Eli found a way to push himself back into her orbit.
I knew she was worried, so I didn’t push.
The day dawned with a cold, steely sky. I left early, needing air and time to think. I ducked into the town’s diner for a quick bite before work.
The Pennywhistle Pantry always smelled like grilled cheese, fresh pie, and coffee that had been brewing since before sunrise.
The red vinyl booths gleamed under the soft hum of neon signs, and the checkerboard floor was worn smooth by decades of locals sliding in and out for their lunch specials.
It was the kind of place where you knew everyone, right down to the waitresses who called you “hon” and topped off your coffee without asking.
I’d gotten lost in thought as I stood in the doorway trying to find a table.
Then I saw Paige standing at the counter near the register, a takeout bag in one hand, her jacket unzipped to show a soft, fitted T-shirt underneath, probably with a bar pun stretching across her chest as usual.
Snug jeans hugged her hips, and the worn leather of her boots caught the light as she shifted her weight.
Her shiny blond hair fell loose around her shoulders, and she was smiling politely at whatever the cashier had just said.
My heart thudded to a stop as I fought the urge to claim her, take her in my arms, and kiss her right where she stood.
I knew exactly why she was here: to grab lunch before heading into the tavern.
I could picture her eating a quick sandwich in the back, jotting notes on orders while she scarfed half her meal standing up.
Maybe we could eat here together instead.
I was already moving toward her, working up something easy to say, when the bathroom door swung open behind her and Eli stepped out.
His eyes locked on her immediately, and my steps slowed.
I almost wanted him to confront her so I could step in and give him what he deserved.
He got to her first, striding up like he owned the room.
I held back, knowing she would be angry if I interfered and didn’t let her take care of herself.
I stopped near the end of the counter, every muscle in me going tight.
Paige saw him coming. Her posture changed instantly—shoulders back, chin up, but that flicker in her eyes said she’d been expecting a confrontation sooner or later.
“Not now, Eli,” she said, her voice cool.
“Then when?” he shot back, too loud for the space. “You’ve been dodging my calls.”
“I blocked your number. I’ll only unblock it when the girls are with you.” Her tone didn’t change. “Remember? From now on, we will only be talking through our lawyers. If you have something to say to me, talk to Ren.”
“That’s ridiculous. We’re both adults. We can settle this ourselves.”
“You mean the way you tried to ‘settle’ it at my bar? Blindsiding someone is not how you settle things,” she said, raising one brow. “No, thanks. This is what lawyers are for, right? Since your new one is determined to help you screw me over.”
“I’m not the enemy here—”
“You are when you try to take my house from me. And my bar, and my children.”
That one landed. His jaw tightened, but he forced a smirk. “You’re overreacting. I’m just trying to do what’s best—”
“What’s best for who?” she cut in sharply. “God, I thought I married a man. Turns out you’re just a spoiled little boy. I should have known better. Don’t you even care what the kids will think? Or does that not matter to you anymore? Noah barely speaks to you as it is.”
That was my cue. I closed the distance in a few long strides, the tension in the air snapping as I stepped between them.
“Walk away,” I said, my voice low enough to make him look twice.
Eli turned his glare on me. “This isn’t your business.”
“It became my business the second you decided to corner her in public,” I said, my voice rising just enough for the people at the counter to hear. “Here’s what’s going to happen—you’re going to leave, right now, before I forget we’re in a diner and put you through the front window.”
The room had gone quiet, forks hovering in midair.
Eli scoffed. “What, you think you can—”
I took one step forward, close enough that he had to tip his chin to keep eye contact. “I don’t think, Eli. I know. And if you give me a reason, I will. You want to play games? Do it somewhere else. You don’t get to harass her in the middle of town.”
Paige’s hand came to rest lightly on my forearm—not pulling me back, just there.
Eli’s eyes darted around at the people watching, and his fake charm slipped. He muttered something under his breath and turned, shoving out through the door hard enough to make the bell over it jangle wildly.
The quiet faded, replaced by the clatter of dishes and the low murmur of conversation resuming.
“You okay?” I asked, looking down at her. She was full of false bravado and defiance. He’d shaken her, and she was trying to hide it.
Her fingers lingered on my arm for a heartbeat longer before she stepped back, still holding my sleeve. “Yeah. Thanks.”
I didn’t buy the “yeah,” not with the way her grip on the takeout bag tightened, her knuckles pale, not with the way she clutched my sleeve in a death grip.
“Come on,” I said. “I’ll walk you out.”
Outside, the crisp air hit us, the low autumn sun glinting off the diner’s chrome trim. The gravel in the parking lot crunched under our boots as we made our way to her car.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said after a moment.
“You know I did,” I grumbled, wishing I had put him through the window. That motherfucker deserved it.
She glanced at me, the corner of her mouth twitching like she didn’t know whether to smile or argue. We reached her car, and I opened the door for her.
“You do realize the entire diner probably thinks we’re about to get married now,” she said, sliding her takeout bag onto the passenger seat and making jokes to cover her tension.
“Listen, I’m not scared of him, Hunter. Not really.
He just makes me so mad, and I’m not supposed to say anything to him.
Also, I’ve been sticking to the bar and my house.
Being here today—” She ran a hand through her hair and paused.
“Apparently, people know about us. Everyone seems to know we kissed in my parking lot.”
“Good,” I said, straight-faced.
That startled a laugh out of her. “Good? Really?”
“Yeah. Saves me the trouble of explaining that I protect what is mine.” I held my hands up. “Don’t get mad. I know how that sounded, and it’s not what I meant, you’re not property. I don’t know how to say what I—”
“It’s okay. I get it.” She bit her lip, trying not to laugh at my stammering. “I liked how you stood up for me. I mean it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I leaned one arm against the open door, lowering my voice. “Forget him. Soon enough, he’ll fade back into the background again. It’s almost your birthday. Heard from Piper that there’s going to be a party.”
Her mouth opened, then closed again. “You’re seriously bringing that up now? When I’m torn between throwing a fit over Eli’s bullshit and throwing myself at you in the middle of town? We can’t let the gossip get out of control, you know.”
“I’m just saying,” I said with a shrug, “town gossip has a way of making things happen faster. If everyone thinks we’re a thing, then we won’t have to explain anything when I escort you to your birthday party.”
She snorted. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And yet,” I said, grinning now, “you still haven’t said no.”
Her lips pressed together like she was fighting a smile. “Get out of here before I change my mind about thanking you.”
“Too late. I’m taking that as a yes.”
She rolled her eyes in answer, but there was a softness there she didn’t quite hide.
As she shifted into the driver’s seat, I stayed leaning against the doorframe. “By the way,” I added casually, “I’ll see you early tonight.”
Her brows lifted. “Early?”
“Gossip is out there. Eli is an asshole. You won’t be alone. I have a few things to do at the shop, then I’m coming over.”
She tilted her head. “Are you going to start charging me for this bodyguard service?”
“Nope,” I said. “Consider it part of the pact.”
She let out a little huff of laughter and shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’ll see me tonight. Early.” I said, stepping back so she could close the door.
“Maybe,” she said, but the corner of her mouth curved like she knew she didn’t mean it.
“I’m fine. Seriously. Eli pissed me off, but I’m not really worried.
He won’t get anywhere with these games he’s trying to play.
Ren is the best; he never loses.” She grinned and held up a finger.
“However, I’m not arguing about you coming early.
That part is my silver lining for the day. ”