Chapter 3
Chapter Three
RYLEE
“What are you up to tonight?” Presley asks, untying her apron and hanging it on the hook in the back room of the diner.
“Not much.”
“You want to grab a bite? I don’t have to get Poppy for another hour.”
I smile at her. “As long as it’s not here.”
She shakes her head. “God, no. I do not need hash browns for dinner, as much as my daughter would like that.”
Pulling the pink bandanna off my head—the one that matches my uniform shirt—I fluff out my hair.
“Want to text the girls?”
Grabbing my thick winter coat, I slide into it and zip it up. With the holidays right around the corner, a biting cold has settled over Pinecrest.
“Max is still sick and Georgia has to fill in at the front desk for Joey.”
“Verne really needs to get that place in shape.”
Presley links her arm through mine as we clock out and head out of the small diner onto Main Street.
Darkness has a stranglehold on the town as the old gas lamps light up the street. Very few people are out as we head to one of the only other restaurants in town.
Pinecrest Pancake Emporium.
It’s sandwiched between a small boutique and a convenience store, with The Dusty Spur at the end of the block. As cold as it is tonight, I am surprised people are lining up to get inside.
Anticipation thrums through me at the thought of seeing Chase tonight.
No, not just seeing Chase.
But hopefully getting more with him.
I want to hear him call me Honey again. To get to kiss him again. Do more with him. Take everything he’ll give me.
“What do you want?” Presley asks, elbowing me in the side.
“The usual.”
Nothing like banana walnut pancakes slathered in syrup and a coffee to carb load before heading to the bar.
“You seem distracted tonight,” Presley says, sliding into the booth. She sets the plastic tent with our number at the end of the table.
“Sorry. Tired, is all.”
She stretches, piling her dirty-blonde hair on top of her head. “I’m beat. Poppy has been keeping me up all week.”
“Why?”
“She thinks she’s hearing things in her room.”
I wince. “I take it that it’s hard for her to settle in?”
“I wish it weren’t, but she misses her room.”
“How about you?” I reach across the table and rest a hand on her arm. “How are you handling the separation?”
She fiddles with a sugar packet as two mugs of coffee are dropped off with our order.
“I wish I could have spared her from this, but I don’t want Poppy growing up with two parents who don’t love each other.”
From what she’s told me, they don’t even like each other at this point, but I don’t want to get into that. It’s been hard for her these last few months with her husband. Well, soon-to-be ex-husband.
I don’t wish what she’s going through on anyone.
“She’ll adjust. And if she needs a night with Aunt Rylee, send her my way.”
Presley cuts her pancakes into perfect pieces and forks a bite into her mouth.
“I might take you up on that. At least I still have her nanny for the next few weeks.”
“Ugh. Is Dan not going to help with that once the divorce is final?”
She shrugs. “Who knows? I can tell he’s going to be a dick about everything.”
“I’m sorry, babe.
“Enough talk about my sad life. Any plans this weekend?”
“Aside from work? No.”
It’s not an outright lie. It’s not like I’m going out with Chase this weekend. It’s not like we’re even going out out. I’m going to the bar. But I don’t want to have to lie to one of my closest friends.
The four of us have all grown up together, and even though we went our separate ways for college, we all came back to our small town.
It’s home. I’ve never wanted to leave.
“If you’re up for a movie night or something at my place, let me know.”
“I think I can manage that.”
I stab my fork into my haphazardly cut piece of pancake and take a big bite. I’ve never been shy about eating, and don’t care that I’m stuffing my face. After a long day at the diner, it’s just what I need.
“Good. I can grab us pizza for dinner if you want.”
All I can manage is a nod around the bite in my mouth before swallowing.
“As long as it’s not from the Hash ’N Hop, I’m good. I’ll bring us some wine.”
“Perfect.” Presley pops another perfectly sized bite of pancake into her mouth and chews.
“When did our lives become so exciting?” I laugh.
“My life has always been like this. If a wine night is as exciting as it gets, I’ll take it. You at least can go out if you want.”
“Nah. There’s no one really in town that I want to date.”
“Really? You sure about that?” There’s a knowing look on her face.
“If I wanted to find someone, I’d have to go to Honey River, and I’m not about to drive two hours for a man.” I shake my head. “No way.”
“Hmm. Okay.”
I point a finger at her. “No talking about my dating life. It’s dull and boring, and that’s all you need to know.”
Again, not necessarily a lie, but I don’t want to start telling everyone that I have feelings for Chase. Even if she might sense it.
Nope, not going there.
“And on that exciting note, I have to go pick up Poppy.”
Presley slides out of the booth and leans down to give me a hug.
“Tell Pop Aunt Rylee will see her this weekend.”
“I will. Bye, babe.”
“Bye.”
I watch as she heads back across the street and gets into her car. I scarf down the rest of my pancakes and make the short walk to my place. It’s not far from the diner—walking distance, as everything in town is except for the old ranch.
I’m thankful right now because I’m ready to go and see Chase.
And can’t wait to see what the night brings.