Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
LOLA
“What are we doing, just leaving the car at the bar? Can’t we get an Uber?” I ask Violet as we head down to the parking lot.
“Lola, this is New Falls, not New York. I couldn’t get a driver in the next two hours.”
This part is taking some getting used to.
I hurry to catch up and link my arm through hers. “So how are we getting home?”
She giggles. “Hopefully, a nice man will give us a ride.”
I squint at her. “That sounds like the start of a murder documentary, V.”
“I’ll call my uncle,” she tells me.
Ray, her uncle, is pretty well connected in this town, being the only catering firm here. It’s a huge opportunity for V to take this over. While I was in the fashion industry, Violet's passion was food and events. She just has this flare for it that can’t be tamed.
Relief loosens my shoulders. Growing up in New York taught me to be cautious. The men my parents dealt with weren’t exactly saints. Rumors said they were mafia. One guy—Frankie—used to come to the house all the time. I’d bet my savings he is.
A lot of people refuse to believe the mafia exists still, like it’s some sort of conspiracy. But I’m pretty sure I’ve been in the same room as these people. And I have no doubt there are bad men in towns like this, too. “Thank you.”
As she unlocks the car, heavy footsteps sound behind me. I freeze before opening the passenger door, every hair on my arms standing on end.
I turn.
Green eyes. Dark hair. Grey suit. And my body reacts the same way as usual around him… it wants to run.
Reese. My annoying landlord.
“Evenin’, ladies.”
I smile politely. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Violet chirps, then slips into the driver’s seat and shuts the door behind her.
Traitor.
Reese steps closer, stopping right in front of me. His aftershave offends my nose first. “Going out?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He smirks, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Shame. I was hoping to take you out tonight.”
My heart picks up pace, and not in a good way. “Maybe another time?” I offer, trying to keep it light.
“I thought you wanted a second date, Lo. But every time I try, you dodge me.”
I swallow. He is nice. Good-looking. A successful lawyer. My parents would approve instantly. I just didn’t realize that dinner after signing the lease with him counted as a first date.
And I don’t want a second, but I also don’t want to piss him off, because finding somewhere to rent here is nearly impossible right now.
“You just keep catching me at the wrong time,” I say. “Maybe texting first would help? So we can actually plan something. Coffee tomorrow?”
He studies me for a moment, his gaze dragging slowly up my body. I shiver in response.
Coffee tomorrow means I can try to talk to him properly and stop this chase he thinks he’s on for me.
“Yeah. I can do coffee. Lunchtime?”
“That would be nice.” Even though it’s the last thing I want. I’d just like to keep this roof over our heads.
He smiles, flashing perfect white teeth. “That’s not the real date, though. I’m still taking you to dinner.”
I hesitate, then shrug. Honesty feels safer. “Let’s see how coffee goes first. And… I’m not really looking for anything serious. I don’t even know how long I’m staying in town.”
His jaw tightens. He steps closer, and I instinctively lean back. I never said New Falls was permanent. I still have commitments in New York, which might one day drag me back there. But I’m keeping my options open. Reese doesn’t need to know that.
“Well,” he says quietly, “maybe someone just needs to give you a reason to stay. I’d like that to be me.”
Before I can react, he takes my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
Jesus Christ.
“I—I should go. See you tomorrow,” I murmur.
He chuckles and steps back, finally giving me space.
“It’s a date,” he says with a wink before turning away, whistling as he heads toward his Mercedes.
I jump into the car and slam the door.
“Well, that seemed intense,” Violet says, starting the engine.
“He is. Very persistent.”
“Because you’re the most gorgeous woman in town,” she says as we pull out, passing Reese leaning against his car, cigarette between his fingers.
“He’s not very… cowboy,” I mutter.
After seeing that guy in town with the tattoos, I kinda think that is what I want. The way my body reacted to him, even from the other side of the glass, I can only imagine what I’d do in close proximity.
“No. He’d fit right in back in New York. Isn’t that what you want? A little piece of home? I can’t picture you shoveling shit on a ranch, Lola.”
I laugh. “No. But I wouldn’t mind watching a hot, sweaty cowboy covered in tattoos doing it.”
The image flashes through my head, and damn.
Suits have never really done it for me.
Violet grins. “And what? He throws you over his shoulder, carries you off, and fucks you seven ways to Sunday?”
Heat floods my cheeks as I nod. “Yeah. While I’m wearing his hat. Or better yet, ties me up with rope.”
Violet nearly chokes. “Jesus, Lola. You’ve really thought about this.”
I shrug. “I’ve had a lot of time to myself recently.”
“It shows. Come on, then. Let’s go find you a cowboy.”